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Ok so apologies again but no time to give a detailed analysis..

But quickly, I am going against my instincts and taking the points on the Cowboys-Dallas can win this game with their no name no nonsense defense, as long as they can contain the Mathew Stafford-Calvin Johnson connection.

Also I don’t know that the Patriots will cover the spread, but they should bounce back and win against Miami at home. Amendola’s back, Gronk’s had a week to get acclimatized, I like the Pats.

Finally, although the Falcons have been decimated by injuries, they should be able to beat the Cardinals outright. I am shocked that they are getting points, so considered a gift and go with the Falcons.

Good Luck

No time to give a detailed analysis this week…but here are my picks…

Good Luck…

I will dispense with the apologies this week. You know the drill by now, I got really busy that was less important than posting my picks, and did not end up posting my picks.

I will state for the record however that I had a strong feeling that Indy would win outright and Dallas would cover the spread against Denver. I hope that you bet and made dividends on those picks, but in case you did not I am here this week prepared to atone…

As always home team in CAPS

PICK 1

BILLS (+7) OVER Bengals

Yes, I am aware like the rest of you that the Bengals beat the Patriots last week, but that win must be put in context. Not only was New England playing without its star receiving threats, their good-so-far replacements were terrible and more stonehanded than Braylon Edwards with both his arms broken. Add to this the running game was absent, the Bengals got a miracle fumble recovery on the Pats final drive and the game was played in a hurricane and you can see why that win is suspect. The Bills however proven to be a deceptively competent squad this year and do not appear to be a team that will lose to the Bengals by more than a TD. Take the points and take the Bills.

PICK 2

Eagles (-1) OVER BUCS

I know Michael Vick is likely not to play and that alters the uptempo offense, but given how things have gone for the Eagles this season that might not be a bad thing. Add to this that the Bucs are probably the biggest headcase team in the NFL right now, who just jettisoned their franchise quarterback for nothng in return and you have all the makings of a Philly road win. Plus Karma will always be against a guy like Greg Schianno, so feel happy and confident taking the Eagles.

BRONZE PICK

Jaguars (+26.5) OVER BRONCOS

Let me get this straight right from the beginning, there is nothing I like about this pick. The Broncos looked unstoppable on offense last week against the consistently atroicious Dallas secondary, and I would be hard pressed to explain how Jacksonville could score more then 14 against anyone. However, one thing that Jacksonville has going for it, is the fact that there has been a very big online fight brewing online between the Jags and the Broncos players this week. Therefore, if the Jags players who have shown no heart this year thus far, go into mile high with some pride there is a decent chance that they do not lose by close to four touchdowns. Also, there is a chance that much like Braveheart, the Broncos fans will begin to chant mercy and the Jags can roll off some garbage time scores to beat the spread. I plunked down 3 bucks on the Moneyline for the Jags to win outright and it pays 65 bucks. There’s a chance….

SILVER PICK

Giants (+9.5) OVER BEARS

Things have been grim for the Giants for a while now, and in the last couple of weeks they have only gotten worse. Not only has Eli Manning turned into the second coming of Jamarcus Russell, but the run game for the Giants is a total catastrophe and the defense has not been able to stop anybody. Do I think they will go into Chicago and beat a team that blew a game they could have won last week? No, but I do think the Giants have enough pride, pedigree and a solid enough receiving core to cover the spread. Plus the Giants seem to play better in prime time, and I think Chicago is going through enough internal strife right now for the game to be competitive. Be cool fool, take the points and bet against a team that has won 2 Superbowls in 6 years going 0-6.

GOLD PICK

Redskins (+6) OVER DALLAS

I honestly have no idea who makes up these lines. When has Dallas ever beaten an opponent (let alone a divisional opponent by more than 6 points. Look I love the Cowboys, and if they ever made it to the Superbowl again I would do everything I could to be on the 50 yard line, but their mojo has been warped for years. Not only have I never seen Dallas win a game they were supposed to or had to have in the last 7 years, they routinely blow games other teams would have in the bag. There is an old football saying that states that good teams find a way to win games, and bad teams always find a way to lose them. While it was admirable the way Dallas took it to Denver last week, rallied to come back and was in the game right down to the final moments, but as usual Dallas found a way to lose a game they should have won. And I know that the 24hr news cycle, social media and all of the Cowboys were pounding their fists on the table about how Tony Romo let another one go, but this game was not on him, at least entirely. The blame should rightfully divided into three parts, one for Romo, one for the Dallas defense (specifically their pass defense, which somehow finds a way to look worse every year) and their coaching. While Romo will always be Romo, and the defense can come to play some days (rarely, in the case of their secondary), something must be done about the head coaching down there in big D.

While watching the game with my girl, I was running out of fingers counting all the boneheaded mistakes Dallas was making. For example, while it was generally moronic for Dallas not to have been running the ball more all game thus chewing up the clock and giving Peyton Manning less time to work with, the coaching on the Broncos last drive should really be submitted to the bad coaching hall of fame. Not only should Romo not have been throwing that close to that deep on their side of the field with time expiring (i.e. prep for OT if there’s nowhere to go), but after Romo made his predictable turnover, Dallas should have either immediately allowed Denver to score on the Demariyus Thomas catch, should have declined the holding penalty that gave Peyton Manning and extra down to throw and at the very least have allowed them to score on 3-1 two yards out from the endzone. Of course they did none of those things and ended up losing the game.

Again, in the end, Romo will always be Romo, but even though he is unpredictable and untrustworthy, there are quarterbacks with that DNA who have found success  in the NFL. One only has to look across the division at Eli Manning and the New York Giants. The difference is that at least the coaching in New York is competent wheras in Dallas, it is downright awful and has been for years. What Dallas needs more than a new quarterback is a new coach with some winning experience and perhaps even a Superbowl pedigree. I hate the fact that the Cowboys let Rob Ryan, Sean Payton and Bill Parcells walk, yet kept a tight hold of Jason Garrett. It was there single biggest mistake over the last ten years and the ship in Dallas won’t be right until he has been made to walk the plank.

MY APOLOGIES!!

I was incredibly swamped last week, so I was unable to post picks last weeks. Fortunately aside for betting against the Cowboys and betting on the Patriots there were no other locks last week (aside from maybe the Broncos for the win).

In any event I did bet on the Pats as I could not believe that they were the underdogs against a sloppy Falcons team. There are some juicy lines for this upcoming week so please stay tuned…

Ok, so a bit of a rough go last week, but the first couple of weeks to the NFL season are always tough (plus David Akers missing two field goals for the Lions did not help much either). In any event, let’s try and right the ship. As always home team in CAPS

PICK 1

Rams +4 OVER COWBOYS

Dallas had a heart breaking game last week. For anyone who watched it, it seemed like Dallas was in total control of this game and then as they almost always do, let it slip away. Hats off to KC, but if Dallas doesn’t sustain to brutal turnovers, Dez Bryant does not drop that deep ball and Jason Garrett does not decide to kick the late field goal (which still left them down by one) instead of going for the touchdown late, Dallas easily wins that game. However, the previous season is the 2007 to present Dallas Cowboys in a nutshell, so while I think they beat the Rams, I doubt they cover the spread while doing it. Take the points and the Rams

PICK 2

Giants +1 OVER PANTHERS

Ok I know the Giants have looked shaky in their first two starts and that they have no run game, but what this game means for the Giants is that if they lose, they are going to be 0-3 and likely to miss the playoffs (although they do play in the now weaker NFC East). This is a very tough pick to make given how bad the Giants played of late and how good the Panthers looked at home against Seattle. My mind says the Panthers, but given that the Giants have alligator blood, I have to take the Giants because of what this game means to them.

BRONZE PICK

Lions +1 OVER REDSKINS

I have no idea how the Redskins are giving points in this game. Through two weeks there defense has been the worst defense I have ever seen and the lions were a couple of makeable field goals away from being 2-0. Plus the Lions have a very good defense that should be all over the hobbled RG 3 early. To me this is a no-brainer. Take the Lions.

SILVER PICK

Atlanta +1 OVER MIAMI

Look, I know Miami’s record says they are 2-0, but there record is flimsier than Jason Garrett’s decision to kick that late field goal instead of going for it against the Chiefs late (sorry to pile it on fellow Cowboys fans, but that game really stung). Atlanta was one endzone drop against the Saints from being 2-0 and these are the kind of games the Falcons live for, early season against suspect opposition. Miami has looked ok this season, but given all of the weapon’s in Atlanta’s arsenal, the smart money is on them.

GOLD PICK

Colts +10 OVER 49ERS

I had planned on making the Packers at -2.5 over the Bengals my gold pick, but I could not resist taking the new look Colts with 10 points over the 49ers. I know, the 49ers got their rears handed to them against Seattle and are looking for redemption at home, but with Trent Richardson in the backfield for the Colts they have a boosted run game and a back who can block for Andrew Luck. Unless there is something seriously wrong with Trent Richardson other than Randy Moss Syndrome (i.e. he will only be motivated in the right environment) this was a huge pick up for the Colts who have been searching for a franchise back  since the departure of Edgerrin James. If the offensive line can hold against the 49ers pass rushers, and Boldin can be shut down the way he was against Seattle, this can even be a winnable game for the Colts. This is the kind of game where legends are made, so if Andrew Luck truly is the future, I want to see it Sunday. Or at least for him not to lose by more than 10.

Although going 3-5 last week, it is worth noting that I was one dropped Atlanta pass and one less Giants turnover away from going 5-0. But because batting .600 is fairly good, that coupled with my beloved Cowboys actually winning a home game they were favored to win, had me feeling good all week. Let’s see if we (me and the Cowboys) can continue our winning ways this week. As always HOME TEAM IN CAPS.

PICK 1

Titans +9 OVER TEXANS

I am not sure that I get the Vegas logic here. So the Tennessee upset Pittsburgh with a strong defensive showing and Houston needs an improbable 3 touchdown miracle just to scrape by a terrible San Diego team, and somehow the latter is favoured by 9 points? It doesn’t even matter that this game is at home, 9 points? Be smart, take the points and be happy.

PICK 2

COLTS -1 OVER Dolphins

Okay, what this line means for all you gambling novices out there, is that Indy must win at home against Miami. That’s it. That’s all you need to know. I cannot understand how exactly Miami plans to put up points against a potent Indy offence. Miami cannot run, they cannot pass and unless their defense plans to put up all of their points for them, I cannot fathom where they are even going to get 13 points from. Although Indy did not look great against the Raiders they, like all good teams, found a way to win. Your decision therefore is broken down to which is the better team? As such bet on the Colts.

BRONZE PICK

Redskins +9.5 OVER PACKERS

Like most people I do like high scoring games (as long as my opponent’s fantasy team has 0 players in that tilt), and this weeks’ Redskins-Packers game promises to be a good one. Although I love Green Bay to win this game outright given their loss last week to San Fran, the Packers of late seem to rise and fall with the level of their competition. For example, if they are playing a good team, they will play a close game against them and if they play a bad team, they will play a poor close game against them. Either way the games seem to be fairly close and Green Bay seems to win a tight one either way (except when they play San Fran). As such, a line that gives 9.5 point to the Redskins is a tough pill to swallow given that even an injured RG3 puts up points and his defense and run game always manage to put up points even if he is slacking. As such you should be smart here and  take the points.

SILVER PICK

Lions -1 OVER CARDINALS

I love the Lions this year. They have looked great all preseason and except for a boneheaded play by Ndamukong Suh last week which contributed to a 14 point swing in a game they still managed to win, it looked as if they are poised for a great season. Their defensive front 7 look amazing, their entire offensive looks explosive and if they could simply get someone in their defensive backfield they will be a force to be reckoned with. These are not your Matt Millen Lions. And although the Cardinals look better this season under Carson Palmer, the Lions should win this game handily if they can simply keep Larry Fitzgerald in check.

GOLD PICK

49ers +3 OVER SEAHAWKS

Contrary to what some authors think, there IS such a thing as momentum in football. With the way things turned around in the second half of their big game in January, the 49ers would have needed only a few more plays to win the Superbowl. Sadly however for them and all 49ers fans, the clock ticked down and to quote Marlon Brando, “There just wasn’t enough time.” This season with redemption on their brain, the 49ers are poised for a very deep playoff run. Not only have they kept virtually their entire roster together, but they actually managed to improve upon it with the additions of Anquan Boldin and once heralded corner Nmandi Asomugha. The only team standing in their way (you mean other than my beloved Cowboys?), the Seattle Seahawks. Believe me this game will have the feel of much more than a normal week 2 game. These teams hate each other and cannot wait to get the first game of their eventual rubber match underway. However, despite what most people say, I am not completely sold on the Seahawks. They looked weak last week against Carolina, and although they are playing at home I do not trust Wilson in this game and am not sold on the Seahawks in general. I think the road to the NFC title goes through San Fran, and so even though this game is being played in Seattle, make the right move and take the points…I mean 49ers.

While you may be tired having had to stay up until almost 1 last night, what a way for the NFL to announce it’s return for the 2013 season. And although you may be lamenting not being able to bet on the Broncos I have 5 welcome back NFL picks for you in Week 1 (HOME TEAM IN CAPS)…

PICK 1- Atlanta Falcons (+3) OVER SAINTS

Although Atlanta’s latest playoff flame-out is probably still resonating with some, the regular season is back and Atlanta is a stellar regular season team. Not only that, but they have an upgraded running game, an incredible passing offense against the Saints weak defense, and a much better defense overall then the Saints. Even if the Saints eek out a win against the Falcons in the wake of the Sean Payton-Drew Brees reunion, it is doubtful that it will be by more than 3 points.

PICK 2- Raiders (+10.5) OVER COLTS

Look, I love the Andrew Luck Colts. I still maintain he should have gotten some MVP consideration for how he turned around the Colts and took them to the playoffs last year. However, while the Raiders are bad (and they are really bad), this is the kind of game that the Raiders always seem competitive in until the end. Do I think they will win? No, but I do they think will do enough with a fleetingly healthy RunDMc to cover the spread.

BRONZE PICK- Cardinals (+4.5) OVER RAMS

Even after an entire preseason and looking over their roster just now, I cannot for the life of me understand how the Rams put up points this season. Unless Jared Cook suddenly were to become Antonio Gates 2.0, this Rams team will struggle to put up 12 points a week. Arizona on the other hand, should be much improved this year, and the new Carson Palmer to Larry Fitzgerald combo this year could be very potent. There is nothing to look forward to this season on the Rams, except maybe the slim chance that Isiah Pead somehow emerges into the new franchise Running Back with the departure of Steven Jackson.

SILVER PICK- Eagles (+3.5) OVER REDSKINS

I know the press loves him, but I am still not sold on the RG3 hype. I have said it once and I will say it again, never trust a mobile/read option quarterback. Not only do they always get hurt and have suspect passing skills, but facts are facts, in the 13 plus seasons since the mobile/read-option quarterback has become the fad, not a single one has ever won a Superbowl. And perhaps the day will come when front offices are all pressured by the media into only drafting these guys, until the drop back/statue quarterbacks  show any kind of limitations when it comes to winning Superbowls, never drink the Kool-Aid. Add to the fact that RG3 is still unproven after his injury and that the Eagles should be much improved under Chip Kelly, and I cannot see how the Redskins beat the Eagles by 4 or more. Be smart, take the points.

GOLD PICK- NY Giants (+3.5) OVER COWBOYS

I love the Cowboys and consider myself to be a die-hard Cowboys fan. However, after watching too many games in the Tony Romo era I can tell you with a chest full of sadness that there is no way the Cowboys beat any .500 team by 4 points, especially in a game they are favored to win. I do not use the expression “bet the house” very often, but if you have a house you should promptly take the points and slap it down on the Giants. The Cowboys still have too many question marks along their offensive line and  within their safety positions, and although Tony Romo will once again put up fantastic numbers, either he or some other cowboy will commit a terrible error which will cost Dallas this game. However, should Dallas give me an early Christmas present and manage to win the game on a late score, you can be  sure that it will not be enough to cover the spread.

ENJOY AND PLEASE GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY

Although it seems like it was just the other day that the 49ers were choking away the Superbowl, here we are with another season upon us. More importantly (at least for some), it’s the start of a new fantasy football season. In short, it is the chance to get in arguments with your friends, ignore your family on Sundays (and Monday night), have your production at work by exactly half and all around blow tens to hundreds of hours over a prize pool of $500.00. What a time to be alive.

In any event here are my thoughts for the 2013 season.

QUARTERBACK

If I have one piece of advice surrounding the Quarterback position it is this; Don’t believe the Hype. Although the talent pool might be deeper, there are still only three premiere quarterbacks in fantasy football today and their names are Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. After you should be aware that there is significant drop to the next tier of quarterbacks and after that an even steeper drop in terms of both production and reliability. And while I am not saying that Colin Kapernick or Cam Newton will not put up numbers, but in taking them know that they, like most mobile quarterbacks will be prone to injury, bad decision making and tremendous inconsistency.

TIER 1

Brew Brees

Aaron Rodgers

TIER 2

Tom Brady

TIER 3

Matt Ryan

Tony Romo

Peyton Manning

TIER 4

Joe Flacco

Jay Cutler

TIER 5

RG3

Colin Kapernick

Cam Newton

Sleeper: Andrew Luck                    Bust: Colin Capernick

RUNNING BACK

Although there is a lot of talent at the running back position, unless you have the first pick in your draft and land Adrian Peterson, your expectations in terms of the #2 through #7 picks at running back should not be all that different. As I always advocate, running back is the diciest position in fantasy football and you should be wary putting a lot of stock into the position for three very good reasons 1) injury 2) inconsistency year-to-year 3) the dreaded (but increasingly popular) running back by committee. As such always remember that when it comes to fantasy football running backs, like they say in 1L, Caveat Emptor pal. But on the flipside, what that means is that your flyers should consist of some handy handcuffs of some of the more injury prone backs like C.J. Spiller, Arian Foster, DeMarco Murray and Maurice Jones-Drew.

TIER 1

Adrian Peterson

TIER 2

Marshawn Lynch

Ray Rice

LeSean McCoy

TIER 3

Arian Foster

C.J. Spiller

Doug Martin

TIER 4

Steven Ridley

Trent Richardson

Jamal Charles

TIER 5

Alfred Morris

MJD

Matt Forte

TIER 6

Darren McFadden

Sleeper: Justin Forsett, DeMarco Murray, Lance Dunbar                                Bust: Frank Gore, Montee Ball

WIDE RECIEVER

Given my propensity to favour the air, naturally it is here where I would be telling you to spend your mid-round draft picks or, in the case of an auction draft, your hard earned fantasy dollars. While the talent pool is deep, like quarterback, there is a significant drop off after the top 3 to 4 guys. However, unlike quarterback, if you are smart and draft/spend well even late, you can still get very decent talent for your squad.

TIER 1

Calvin Johnson

TIER 2

Dez Bryant

Julio Jones

A.J. Green

TIER 3

Roddy White

Andre Johnson

Vincent Jackson

Tier 4

Larry Fitzgerald

Reggie Wayne

Mike Wallace

Danny Amendola

Marques Colston

Tier 5

Wes Welker

Demarius Thomas

Tier 6

James Jones

Randall Cobb

Jordy Nelson

TIER 7

Victor Cruz

Brandon Marshall

Hakeem Nicks

Antonio Brown

Pierre Garcon

Sleeper: DeSean Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Torrey Smith, Greg Jennings, Percy Harvin, Terrance Williams

Bust: Eric Decker, Cecil Shorts

TIGHT END

The best kept secret about this year is the following; tight-end is the make or break position for your league. Almost every league in fantasy has a spot dedicated year-in, year-out dedicated to the tight-end spot. Usually people do not pay much mind to filling spot, and figure that there is a ton of talent at the position and almost anyone will do. These people could not be more wrong. Just like quarterback, you only get one tight end in most leagues, and as such a solid TE can be all the difference given that a super-solid tight-end like Jimmy Graham will get almost double the production out of the roster spot then a solid tight-end like Owen Daniels. As such heed my advice and snatch up a good TE while you can because this year, perhaps more than in recent memory they are rare.

TIER 1

Jimmy Graham

TIER 2

Jason Whitten

Tony Gonzalez

TIER 3

Rob Gronkowski (due to injury)

TIER 4

Vernon Davis

TIER 5

Kyle Rudolph

TIER 6

Owen Daniels

Jermichael Finley

Greg Olsen

Sleeper: Health Miller, Jordan Cameron, Heath Miller, Jared Cook                     Bust: Fred Davis, Martellus Bennett

Although I briefly touched on Derrick Rose’s decision not to play this season in an earlier entry on the NBA playoff race (dated March 14), I believe his actions (or lack their of) deserve an entry all of their own.

If there is one thing more cherished in sports than winning, it is an athlete’s ability to come back after being knocked down. Be it Muhammad Ali after his loss to Joe Frazier, Kobe Bryant winning two straight rings in the post-Shaq era, or even this year’s Baltimore Ravens squad who reached new heights after losing in dramatic fashion in last year’s AFC title game. In fact, because utter dominance is so often deemed boring or at the very least monotonous  by the sports crazed media and public, (just ask Joe Louis or Floyd Mayweather), it is probably fair to say that most people enjoy a solid comeback much more than perpetual victory. The ups and downs of the former probably resonates more with people due to the ups and down in their own lives and in a sense, it makes an athlete more relatable, and therefore, more authentic. And because authenticity is cherished much more than the phony even in this crazy materialistic world we all live, an athlete’s triumphs after being knocked down automatically become something personal to all of us.

It is under this symbiotic relationship that most athletes make the biggest headway in terms of making their name and cementing their legacy. It is also why Derrick Rose has done himself and the fans who love him the greatest disservice an athlete could ever perpetrate.

While I do not dispute that Derrick Rose tore his ACL and that ACL tears are very serious injuries, let me first state that they are no longer the death knell they once were. Athletes today are coming back from a myriad of serious injuries and in the ACL department one only has to look at the shining examples of Tom Brady, Ricky Rubio, Iman Shumpert and of course, Adrian Peterson, to see that today’s athlete can more than bounce back from ACL tears. Although, I will concede that these athletes were not back to top form right away, after a few months they were however able to go from 75 to 100% of their former selves. And therein lies the problem with Derrick Rose.

I doubt there is a person on this planet that would have thought Derrick Rose would be at 100% after he was medically cleared to start playing. However, following the examples of other prominent athletes (including the aforementioned) he could have at least given it his best and taken the shot. Again, no one is saying come back before all doubts are extinguished, to do so would be ludicrous given the gamble with a franchise player, but once you are medically cleared how do you not at least give it a go? How can you even call yourself a star?  

If the Bulls were out of the playoffs and stuck somewhere in the Eastern Conference basement maybe Rose could escape some scrutiny because it could be said that his late return would not have had any impact on the Bulls’ season. But Rose’s team fought hard and fought hard for him all season with the hope that he would return. As such the team was in the thick of the playoff hunt all year and ended the season as the Eastern 5^th seed. However, when the team could have used him late in the regular season to improve their standings, Rose was on the bench and his useless manager brother was thumping his chest in the media proclaiming that Rose was right to sit until management got more pieces around Rose (for the record, the Bulls have 3 All-Star calibre players in Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, surrounding Rose). Rose continued to sit.

Incredibly, when the playoffs rolled around the script was the same only now the situation was exacerbated. The Bulls courageously upset the Nets, and made it to the second round despite their best players dropping like flies. They had fought all season to survive, but now the effects of having to carry another man’s load (the same man who is supposed to help to carry them), was too much and they were defeated by Miami in 5 games. Nate Robinson had played his brains out, Deng tried to climb out of his hospital bed to play and Joakim Noah had managed to play on one foot, and where was Rose?? Sitting on the bench in a suit with his thumb up his ass. Some MVP. Even if I believe Derrick Rose and that he was not 100% are you telling me this valiant yet-overmatched Bulls squad could not even have used 70% of Derrick Rose against Miami? Please. When your team is out there killing themselves, you as a leader have a duty to be out there and fight the fight with them. If Derrick Rose was actually worried about his knee despite being medically cleared months ago, someone should tell him to take up knitting.

Sadly, after witnessing the way his brother reacted at the trade deadline when Chicago did not make a move, it is clear what happened. Derrick Rose essentially took his ball and went home. And if this was not bad enough, Rose sunk even further by toying with people about the possibility that he might return at some point this season. Bullshit. The moment the Bulls did not make a move Rose was out.  He knew it, his close circle of friends knew it and only those people who still had misplaced faith in today’s me-first superstar were the ones that did not know it.

Truly, the worst part about this Derrick Rose fiasco is how he led people on for months, long after him and his people knew he was not coming back. A clean break would have allowed the Bulls and their fans a chance to regroup, come to grips with reality and play the hand they were dealt, but Rose was too big of a coward to let that happen. By keeping the hope alive that he was coming back, Rose found a genius way to keep your name in the papers without playing one minute of basketball for an entire season. The problem is that it was an evil genius move. Doing so let his team down and in the long-run will probably backfire in his face.

The sports world has a long memory when it comes to dubious acts, and the foil of him on the bench in a suit will his teammates risk their careers by playing with injuries will be etched in the mind of fans for a long time to come.  It certainly will in my mind.

A lot of noise was made this past weekend when it was announced that the NY Jets were parting with their star-cornerback, Darrelle Revis. In truth, Revis is not just a star on the Jets, he is by far their best player and regarded as one of the top corners in the entire NFL. That is until he suffered an ACL tear against last October. However, given that ACL tears are no longer the death knell to professional athletes that they once were (unless of course you are Derrick Rose’s psyche), Revis could have very likely returned to the Jets at anywhere from 90-100% of the player he once was. It is for that reason, that the Jets decision to let Revis go, was a very curious move in the eyes of many.

I am not however one of those people.

As good as Revis is as a football player on the field, he is probably as bad as they come off it. It seems that every year Revis is either complaining or holding out (if not both) and this kind of chronic bad energy is good for the chemistry of no team, let alone the combustible New York Jets. Again, Revis might be as close a thing to a shut down corner as there is in today’s NFL, but a negative force in the locker room will always be a negative force on the field unless you have a solid coaching staff (the Jets do not), good veteran leadership (the Jets do not), and solid management in the front office (the Jets DEFINTIELY do not). However, even despite Revis’ issues there was a time when the Jets were willing to play ball with Revis and during the spend freely- ask questions era of Mike Tannenbaum, the Jets were so committed to Revis that they tore up his rookie contract and negotiated a lucrative deal with him even with they did not have too. How did Revis respond? Again with constant complaining and being a massive distraction on a team that does not need distractions. Therefore, for the Jets to let Revis walk was the right move from both a football standpoint and a fiscal standpoint (now that they are blowing up the team and starting from scratch under new GM John Idzik). The fact that the Jets got anything substantial for Revis with his bum knee and reputation is amazing (they got the 13^th overall pick and a 4^th round pick from Tampa Bay) and for the first time in a while, the Jets have caught a break.

The Tampa Buccaneers for a long time have been a complete non-factor in the NFL. In fact, the last time they were a team of consequence was a decade ago when John Gruden backed into a Superbowl by taking over Tony Dungy’s juggernaut defensive squad. Since that time, the Bucs have been not much more than a platform for the Saints and the Falcons in their NFL rise since 2006. However, fortunes for the Bucs seemed to have changed over the last couple of years with the landing of competent (but definitely not elite) QB Josh Freeman, and the implementation of an NFL cap floor which has forced them to shell out the dollars and sign some notable free agents (most notable among these signings were the likes of Vincent Jackson and Dashon Goldson). This Revis move however, might be the final piece in pushing the Bucs over the top and give them a shot at the division title. That is of course assuming that Revis’ ACL has healed and that a change of scenery does not implode his game like it has for so many free agents before him (the name Nmandi Asomugha certainly rings a bell). However, the Bucks have mitigated their risk in this deal not only by giving up draft picks in a weak draft, but with manner in which they have structured Revis contract. Although a 96 million/6 year deal might sound like a lot of money, there is no way either side will ever come close to living up to its terms given the lack of guarantees. If Revis plays well he will immediately go into Revis-mode and throw a stink until he gets his deal re-worked and guarantees are worked in (and thereby lowering the sticker price on the deal as a whole) and if he plays bad, the Bucs can cut Revis no questions asked at any point and pay him nothing more than for the games he’s played.

So who is the loser in all the you may ask? Well Indeed, the most puzzling thing about the manner in which this Revis melodrama played out is that the player who has made so much noise about getting  fair compensation has worked himself into a position where he can be left with absolutely nothing in the end. 16 million sounds like a lot, but for a player coming of a torn ACL and having to quickly adjust to a new division packed with passers is no easy task even for the best of players (let alone a me-first corner). In Denver a much older Peyton Manning got a king’s ransom to sign, but his deal had guarantees worked in to keep him cover on the back end if his comeback did not pan out (and for the first couple of months it looked like it wouldn’t what with the noodle arm he had going on). Why a much younger Revis would not insist on guarantees if his knee never got back to where it was is baffling and if Revis were to get hurt again, he would be lucky if any team gave him pennies on the dollar to take him on after that. If you think the Bucs would not hesitate to cut him in split second if he suffered any sort of setback you are a complete fool, and as such, so is Revis for taking this deal.

Usually the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but in this case, Revis just squeaked himself out of it.