It’s not over ’til it’s over or is it ?

It’s not over ’til it’s over or is it ?

Well, week six in the NFL gave the fans a reason to believe this league has indeed decidedly taken a turn for the worse in terms of the play of the teams. Dire consequences were seen in the losses suffered by the New York Giants, New York Jets , Miami Dolphins , Jacksonville Jaguars , Tampa Bay Buccaneers , Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers . As to what this might suggest about these teams can be best judged by their respective records within their division, conference and league.

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As troubling as these results are said to be, other than the firing of Dennis Allen, formerly of the Oakland Raiders , there has yet to be second dismissal of an NFL head coach this season.The Raiders remain win-less and it is hard to imagine where their first victory is likely to come from , given the continually poor play of the team . A narrow three-point loss to divisional rivals the San Diego Chargers dampened the hopes of Oakland getting off the and so now we have a situation, where, there once again seems to be, lack of leadership on the roster and coaching acumen from the coaching staff led by interim head coach Tony Sparano .

In week seven the Raiders will face a tough test when they take on their former quarterback Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals in a home game at the Oakland Alameda County Stadium (O Coliseum) in Oakland, California . If Oakland are to save their season much less redeem themselves, then a win is of the utmost priority for Tony Sparano and his team. This is not a game, which the Cardinals are likely to take lightly, even if they are seen to be the prohibitive favorites among NFL analysts and fans alike. I would dare say, the odds-makers in Las Vegas are licking their lips , savoring what they seem to be the outcome of a game that on paper would </aappear to be lopsided and favoring the visiting team.

I’ll say this for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , they are increasingly finding new ways to embarrass themselves as players, their fans and the franchise as a whole. Lovie Smith has inherited a mess , but it now appears , he and his coaching staff are now piling on even more ineptitude with each passing week. A week four victory over the injury riddled Pittsburgh Steelers has been the sole bright spot for the, team but it should be noted the win was then followed by two consecutive losses, with the Buccaneers being outscored 85-48 in those defeats. Sunday’s loss was as embarrassing as the score suggests (48-17) , with fans at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Florida already leaving the venue before the beginning of the second half of the game , in their totally lopsided defeat, suffered at the hands of Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens</a>.

<a href=”http://pro-football-reference.com/players/McCoJo01.htm”> Josh McCown has not fared all that well as a starter this season and with the insertion of Mike Glennon into the lineup, things have gone from bad to worse , with absolutely no one on the team showing any signs of life. So much for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being seen as a likely challenger within the NFC South this season. About the only thing the Buccaneers might be on the road to challenging, has to be , who is actually the worst team in the NFL , not just by record but also in terms of sheer incompetence ?

There are several players on this current Buccaneers’ roster who are overpaid and not worth the salaries being paid out . GM Jason Licht may well have some serious decisions to make by the trade deadline and at the end of the season. In the short-term the team can be thankful , week seven is a bye-week , where they can lick their wounds and recuperate before proceeding to take on their next opponent the Minnesota Vikingsin week eight, a home game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kirk Cousins and Robert Griffin III are two players who are likely to becomean enigma for Washington Redskins’ head coach Jay Gruden as he seeks to coach and guide the team this season. With the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles now locked in a tight divisional race within the NFC East , I can only surmise the Redskins’ chances have all but disappeared , likewise also, for the New York Giants.

Daniel ‘Dan’ Snyder may well be one of the wealthiest owners in the NFL , but the acumen now being shown within the front office of the organization he owns, can be best described as imbecilic and impetuous. Redskins’ GM Bruce Allen and his decision making has to be a cause of real concern, beyond the all too obvious inexperience of Jay Gruden as an NFL head coach. The Washington Redskins (1-5) are now firmly rooted at the bottom of the division and coming off their 30-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the question has become , where does the team now go from here ? Up or down ? Taking their their play, I am inclined to believe the worst is yet to come !

Fedex Field, in Landover , Maryland, scene to some of the Washington Redskins’ greatest regular season triumphs will seek to add to that famed legacy when the team plays host to the Tennessee Titans this upcoming Sunday,19th October , 2014. With a great deal at stake , both teams will be seeking a much-needed victory. The contest could go either way but a great deal will be predicated upon the resolve shown by the opposing quarterbacks, likely to be Kirk Cousins and a fully recuperated Jake Locker , or whose backups on the Titans’ depth chart are Charlie Whitehurst and Zack Mettenberger.

Last season , Eli Manning made the statement , he believed , he remains one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. Granted, as a two-time winning Superbowl quarterback he has every right to believe it to be the case, Yet, his statistics do not bear that out in 2013 or this season as we enter week seven of the NFL schedule . The New York Giants (3-3) are laboring under a great of pressure and with the loss of wide receiver Victor Cruz the team’s issues are now further exacerbated by his season ending injury.

Tom Coughlin head coach of the Giants’ most recent Superbowl successes is likely to be under the microscope over the remainder of the season. The front office are acutely aware of the team’s issues and the likelihood the head coach could be fired , there is a thought GM Jerry Reese could make the decision to fire the head coach. Coughlin appears to have lost the confidence of the team beyond the fact of the team’s injury woes and lack of consistency shown this season, borne out by the Giants’ 3-3 record . What may well push the front office to take some action could be the lack of determination shown when the New York Giants lost their week six contest , a 27-0 blowout loss to Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles . The game itself, was simply horrendous to watch from the standpoint of being a Giants’ fan as the team could do nothing right from the first snap of the ball until the final whistle was blown to end the match-up in the fourth quarter.

Eli Manning’s own future with the New York Giants could come into question, as there seems to be a belief the player lacks the drive and determination to lead this team. He has to my mind, simply rested on his laurels, because of the two Superbowl victories, rather than seeking to improve his play and set future goals and priorities . Not due to become a free agent until 2016 , Manning could become a sought after commodity should the Giants not seek to re-sign the player, but it appears highly unlikely he will be cut by the franchise, with the team having few alternatives as a backup to Eli Manning. The Giants will be the guests of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, in a divisional contest where the Cowboys will be seeking to increase their lead within the NFC East over their divisional rivals.

In the contest, it will be interesting to see whether or not Cowboys’ running back DeMarco Murray can make it seven straight games of rushing for 100 yards or more , something achieved only by Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown when he ran for seven consecutive games of over one hundred yards in 1958 . This is a feat never achieved at all by legendary Cowboys’ rusher Emmitt Smith over the course of his career.

The Dallas Cowboys are playing like a team on a mission, with Tony Romo having his best start to a season in quite a long time with the team on a five-game winning streak which places them atop of the NFC East as well as having the best record in the NFC and league overall based on their streak . In this match-up against the New York Giants , I firmly believe the only way the Cowboys can incur a loss , is if they become complacent and simply believe they can look at this contest as a cakewalk . Over the last three seasons these divisional match-ups with between the two divisional rivals have brought the best and the worst in both teams. DeMarco Murray , alongside Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning are considered to be the front-runners for the AP League MVP, a title wonby the Broncos’ quarterback a record five times since 2003.

The more things change the more they remain the same and it could be said the call for the departure of Mark Sanchez from the New York Jets , where the final two years of his career with the franchise saw highs and many lows, brought about the call for change. The Jets’ drafting of quarterback Geno Smith was seen as a step in the right direction, but who could have foreseen Smith’s career with the Jets could be described as an unmitigated disaster. Smith has yet to show the alleged talents which made him a star at West Virginia .

Rex Ryan and his hapless coaching staff have led the team to a 1-5 start to their season in the AFC East. All of the rhetoric and pragmatism in the world cannot hide the fact the Jets are a very mediocre team with their being no vocal leaderon the roster, much less among the coaching staff. As if to emphasize the problems of the New York Jets this season , consider the fact in their most recent outing against the Denver Broncos , the team was blown out 31-17 , with their being no signs they were in a position to score a point , through a field goal attempt , passing or rushing touchdown. Defensively , the team was found wanting and Geno Smith’s performance was among the worst in week six of the starting quarterbacks on the day.

For the Jets their season, is now mired in mediocrity and there seems to be little sign, either Smith or his backup Michael Vick can lead the team out of their abyss. Things will not get any easierin the New York Jets’ next game when they are scheduled to meet AFC East divisional leaders the New England Patriots. With Tom Brady and the Patriots coming off their decisive win over the Buffalo Bills , this game against New England could place Rex Ryan’s job in a great deal of danger, should the team come away from this game with a loss. Jets’ GM John Idzik will have to make a long-term decision concerning his head coach and the coaching staff at the end of the season , because it has become abundantly clear , the coach has no real solution for the team’s ongoing woes.

The shakeup has begun and what was meant to be a two-horse race within the NFC West , is becoming a story of resurrection, though not necessarily redemption for Carson Palmer, as the Arizona Cardinals are riding high in the division , where last season it was something of a lottery pick, as the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks toughed it out it out for divisional supremacy. The Seahawks came away with the Superbowl , with Russell Wilson having a spectacular postseason for the team. This season, both the Forty Niners and Seattle have faltered , allowing the Cardinals to take advantage of a division in the midst of what appears to be a shift in dominance.

If Bruce Arians can lead lead the Cardinals into the postseason, then there is the likelihood, he would be seen as a clear favorite to win the NFL Coach of the Year Award . I don’t believe there are any other close candidates, albeit, some might want to suggest Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys is worthy of a mention because of the team’s early season start , but the season having already entered the second quarter of the season, there still remains a a great deal to play for , starting with week seven. Arizona will be the guests of the Oakland Raiders, who still seek their first win of the season, something I cannot see happening in this upcoming game , as I believe the Raiders are simply lacking in confidence, with Tony Sparano not being a great motivator of players, given his past head coaching experience and record .

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Picture gallery .

Through the first six games of this season what do you believe has been the biggest highlight of the year and which team or teams would you say have been the most disappointing ? Of the players said to be at the forefront of the League MVP race , which performance or set of performances have stood out the most ? By all means, do take time to leave a comment on this and anything else you believe is content related to this article and thanks as always for the continued support of this site !

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Picture and slideshow gallery details below.
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(1) Head coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants cheers on his team as they warm up before the start of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 12, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Giants suffered a 27-0 loss to the Eagles for one of the most lopsided defeats suffered by the team in a match-up between the two teams over the past eight seasons. Getty Images /Rich Schulz …

(2) Quarterback Eli Manning (10) of the New York Giants throws a pass during a football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 12, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images / Evan Habeeb …

(3) Quarterback Eli Manning (10) of the New York Giants is sacked by Trent Cole (58) of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 12, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images / Rich Schulz …

(4) Torrey Smith (82) of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a nine-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. Getty Images North America / Joe Robbins …

(5) Mike Glennon (8) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to throw a pass in the first half of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. Getty Images / Joe Robbins …

(6) Quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) of the Washington Redskins talks with head coach Jay Gruden after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedExField on September 14, 2014 in Landover, Maryland. It was one of the few times during the season where the Redskins have played with some consistency , albeit , it was against a rather dull Jaguars’ team . Getty Images/ Patrick Smith …

(7) Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden talks with his quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III (10) and Kirk Cousins (8) during a first half timeout against the New England Patriots on August 7, 2014 in Landover, MD. Getty Images / Mark Hart ….

(8) Free safety Barry Church (42) of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) of the Seattle Seahawks in the end zone during the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 12, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images North America / Steve Dykes …

(9) Running back DeMarco Murray (29) of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) of the Dallas Cowboys after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 12, 2014 in Seattle,Washington. Steve Dykes / Getty Images …

(10) Demaryius Thomas (88) span> of the Denver Broncos runs the ball in the first quarter during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 12, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Getty Images / Elsa Martinez …

(11) Geno Smith (7) of the New York Jets and Peyton Manning (18) of the Denver Broncos on October 12, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.The Denver Broncos defeated the New York Jets 31-17 . The two opposing quarterbacks had differing results on the day , borne out by their respective statistics . . Getty Images/ Elsa Martinez ….

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She comes baring some delightful fruits .

” The Tampa-Two Defense” now a takes on a whole new meaning , when Wendy Fiore comes into focus, unlike the Bucs’ defense which was nowhere to be seen this past Sunday .

Pick your poison ……..

Pick your poison

A very dire time in the world of sports, with the continued stupidity of athletes on exhibit on a daily basis , with fans simply seeking to excuse their behavior by using the premise of freedom of speech and the right for one to express themselves as they so wish . In a decade, where this country has sent off young men and women in a war of futility, with regard to Iraq. And where those members of the military upon on their return at the end of their deployments or careers , are treated more often than not as an afterthought , but an athlete without the decency to know the difference between right and wrong, is still given a “free pass ” for their venal behavior .

Richie Incognito is seen here in his first televised interview with Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer , as the player seeks to explain his side of the controversy that has exploded within the Miami Dolphins’ organization , leading to the player’s suspension without pay. NY Daily News @ copyrighted material …

Personally, I am of the opinion, that this country, simply has no damn morals or a right to cast itself as light of moral beacon or acceptance of all ! Venal and outright displays of racial intolerance coiled as a joke, shows nothing , but insensitivity and downright stupidity, and anyone seeking to condone that , in any form , is simply an ass ! Never mind the fact, one could ask, is the workplace an acceptable place to display that type of behavior ? I find it somewhat ironic that Fox Sports’ journalist Jay Glazer failed to ask that question of his interviewee, Richie Incognito of the Miami Dolphins , when the two sat down for an in-depth interview to be shown on the now overrated Fox Sports Network (FS1) !

From left to right Jacksonville Jaguars’ general manager , David Caldwell , head coach Gus Bradley and team owner Shahid Khan . The front office for the moment appear to be showing their utmost confidence in the rookie head coach . Yet there are already cries for his firing by the fans after what has now turned out to be a disastrous season for the Jaguars. AP Photo / Rick Mason

In the NFL , as the league enters the final quarter of its season , a number of teams are simply thinking about next season and preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft . For the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the two teams with the worst records in the league are now plummeting to even lower depths of mediocrity than anyone could have imagined this season . There is likely to be some type of major upheaval during the off-season, within the respective teams’ rosters as well as with the coaching staff. Gus Bradley’s position with the Jaguars now seems almost untenable and I believe that the Jaguars’ GM David Caldwell is likely to “call it a day” for the beleaguered manager with his being properly compensated , with the franchise honoring the remainder of his contract. In the case of Greg Schiano and the continued slump of the Buccaneers , dependent upon who you believe , he will either be retained for next season or he and general manager Mark Dominik are likely to meet to discuss his and the team’s long-term future.

The Buccaneers (1-8) find themselves at the bottom of the NFC South and they face a dire task when the play host to the equally abysmal Atlanta Falcons (2-7) this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Florida. It would be fair to suggest that a win is of the utmost priority for both teams. Atlanta’s season has simply been one of repeated pratfalls by the team and the play of the team’s quarterback this season could be best described as understated. All this for a player who recently signed one of the most lucrative deals in NFL history in terms of guaranteed money for the player , that came by way of this deal . While Matt Ryan has proven to be a great regular season quarterback, the postseason and 2013 in particular , have simply been, not that kind.

Gus Bradley and the Jaguars are now simply bereft of talent , as the team’s best player, wide receiver , Justin Blackmon has been suspended indefinitely by the team , having violated the league’s substance for second time in two years . Given the fact, that Blackmon entered the league in 2012 as a first round draft pick and thought to be one of the most coveted wide receivers entering the NFL that season . It begs the question , is the player’s career now at an end after less than five years in the NFL, without his departure not being from a career ending injury, but because of a substance abuse problem ? Teams may well be inclined to give the player a second chance, but I am not so sure that Justin Blackmon is deserving of that chance , much less , having not shown any signs of maturity after his indiscretions and willful transgression of the league’s rules !

Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons and Mike Glennon , right , of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The two opposing quarterbacks will meet this weekend in a week eleven contest between the two NFC divisional foes . Both teams are having lackluster seasons with their respective head coaches viewed as being on the “hot seat” . Courtesy of ESPN.com ….

Jacksonville has a scheduled contest with the Arizona Cardinals , this Sunday at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Florida . That game could very well prove to be an indicator of the front office’s intent, should the match-up end in defeat for the home team , with David Caldwell perhaps making the decision earlier than anticipated in forcing Gus Bradley to relinquish his duties as the head coach of the beleaguered franchise.

At the trade deadline this season , there were not as many trades as many analysts had predicted or even suggested would actually take place. The common thought appeared to be that both Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen might be on their way out of after a disastrous season to date where the NFC North based Minnesota Vikings (2-7), who have not even been remotely competitive within the division or conference . It is becoming increasing difficult to see how either Leslie Frazier or GM Rick Spielman can conceivably retain their positions at the end of the year. Neither has shown a propensity with any clarity to suggest that the franchise is now on right track or that they know which players will best serve the Vikings for the future . The Minnesota Vikings are 2-7 and currently reside at the bottom of the division and having won only one of their last five regular season games and at this juncture it is difficult to envisage the team defeating the Seattle Seahawks when the two teams meet at Century Link (Qwest Field) in Seattle , Washington, in a Sunday afternoon contest.

Both Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson remain the most enticing pieces of trade bait on the Vikings’ roster and it is my firm belief that one , if not both of these players are unlikely to be with the franchise at the start of the 2014 NFL season ! Petersen to my mind, the best running back in the NFL , has this season been ill-served by team rendered meaningless , and with the ongoing health issues that surround the team’s starting quarterback Christian Ponder . The former Florida State Seminole quarterback since his entry into the NFL , has yet to have a game that would have you believing , he can be the answer for the Vikings short and long-term future needs at the position. In other words “ failure to launch” !

Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen (right) after a game played at Wembley Stadium, in London , England . The two players have been a part of the franchise for over six years with both having contributed greatly to the franchise. However, this season , without the recurring injuries the team has failed to meet the expectation of the fans and NFL analysts alike. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire ..

With five weeks remaining in the regular season , we are likely to find out a great deal about the teams thought to be in with a real chance of challenging for a postseason berth . Teams, such as the New York Giants , Green Bay Packers , Baltimore Ravens , Pittsburgh Steelers , Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins have proven to be a resounding disappointment this season . Injuries asides, there has to be a decisive reason, why these teams have failed abysmally. From my own personal standpoint, I simply believe that the talent level within the NFL is not all it is cracked to be, alongside a great deal of mediocre coaching coming from experienced and inexperienced NFL head coaches !

As the NFL season winds down , what are you most hoping to see from the remaining games on the schedule ? Also which teams do you believe have the best chance of making a deep playoff run ? Simply, leave a comment, on this article and anything else you believe pertinent to the subject.

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Time gentlemen , please !

Time gentlemen, please !

By Tophatal

I am all for sensibility where warranted , but there comes a time, where common sense should take precedence over everything else ! That certainly has to be the case concerning the Philadelphia Eagles , as their season continues to implode and spiral out control . Andy Reid , may well have been inconsolable after the death of his son , Garrett Reid , to what might have been an apparent drug overdose . That being said , while he has my condolences , when it comes to his handling of the team , he certainly isn’t deserving of a pass . The same can be said of the team’s beleaguered quarterback, Michael Vick , as he simply has grotesquely awful for much of this season . Gifted and talented athlete or not , Vick this season has been wildly erratic , and amongst the most inefficient players at the position during 2012.

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Coming off a thoroughly humiliating 30-17 loss to the rampant Atlanta Falcons (7-0) , the Eagles are simply a listless vessel , adrift at sea, in their own ineptitude. And while there has been a considerable shakeup with the front office , with the departure of Joe Banner , to assume a similar role with the Cleveland Browns , as the team President. It should be noted , with Banner leaving , it still has not abated the continued incompetence being shown by this team . Furthermore , it appears that Michael Vick seems to be in denial that he is just as responsible for the team’s failures this season , as are the coaching staff , as well as his teammates. At 3-4 within the NFC East , a mark that they also share with the equally inept Dallas Cowboys (3-4). Both of these teams are now looking up at the division leading New York Giants (6-2) , and at this juncture, it is not an exactly and endearing sight. In all likelihood the Giants will prevail as the champions of the NFC East , but a wildcard spot might not come from within this division. So it would be understandable to comprehend what is now at stake for both of these teams.

It now appears that Andy Reid is at a crossroads , as he must now make a decision concerning his besieged and beleaguered quarterback. I should preface this by saying , that the alternatives facing the coach should he decide to demote Michael Vick , does not appear to be all that bright. The only alternative that the team has at present is to promote rookie Nick Foles, or to go with five-year veteran Trent Edwards . Not entirely enticing options, for a head coach , whose tenure now appears to be in jeopardy . Foles was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the franchise , with the thought of his remaining on the sidelines , learning the facets of the game from seasoned veterans , such as Edwards and Michael Vick. Vick’s inconsistency this season , have been compounded by the losses , and the ineffectiveness of the Eagles’ passing and rushing game. Trent Edwards is unlikely to fare any better and throwing in a rookie such as Foles , might well do more harm than good. Michael Vick for his part, has to now face reality, that the wasted years incarcerated in a Federal Penitentiary , should have been his most productive years in the league , rather than for the fans to now witness a player with declining skills , and someone who has glaringly lost a step or two, as evidenced by the number of times he has been sacked season and the number of costly fumbles now on his resume’ for this season. Vick was never an elite quarterback , much less a moderate quarterback at best , he was simply a gifted athlete, who chose to play the role of a quarterback.

Week nine , and the Philadelphia Eagles will be the guests of the New Orleans Saints (2-5) in an NFC game that will have a great deal of meaning for both teams , when one bears in mind their divisional standing. It is incumbent that the Eagles come away from that game with a win, but that same scenario is raised when assesses the underwhelming season of the New Orleans Saints. Scandals , asides , the franchise still has not endeared itself to the vast majority of fans , in the wake of the now ongoing drama concerning this team.

Raise your hand if you have heard this question before ? Why is Norv Turner still coaching NFL ? Keep your hands up, as I’m still counting ! Shit, I’ve lost count . It may well be apathy , but the fans in the city of San Diego obviously love to endure mediocrity , because mediocrity, has been so prevalent with this franchise , the San Diego Chargers . And that has been especially true during the tenure of head coach, Norv Turner. Marty Schottenheimer , was fired because he could not take this franchise to the next level , and yet his successor, has wasted repeated opportunities to take the Chargers to their desired destination , and that is to a Superbowl . Rarely has a franchise , been so poorly ran, as the Spanos’ family led by patriarch ,Alex Spanos , has seemingly allowed AJ Smith , as the general manager , make the sort of personnel decisions one would associate with a bureaucratic federal agency , whose wish is to simply waste the taxpayers’ money.

Coming off a rather embarrassing 7-6 loss to the lowly Cleveland Browns (2-6). It is hard to imagine how things could get any worse for a franchise that has underachieved this season. Yet it has, and will probably get a great deal worse for a team , whose coaching staff that seems to be, bereft of creativity and intelligence. If a team, that was thought to be viewed as a major threat to the Broncos’ recent to ascendancy and divisional supremacy within the AFC West is now faltering , then what would that suggest about the franchise and the division as a whole? If at season’s end Turner remains in his position , then I will be shocked by such an outcome , winning season or not !

Philip Rivers remains the team’s best player, as he has been over the past five seasons , yet his talents are being profoundly wasted by Norv Turner, who does not know , how to best utilize the player’s skill-set , or assemble a good enough team, to give the Chargers the best opportunity to win. Rivers for his part has to be frustrated by the team’s lack of success , and I truly believe that he is now at his wit’s end concerning being a member of a failed franchise. A free agent in 2016 , Rivers may well request a trade , rather than continuing to be a part of Chargers’ franchise that on appearance seems to be heading nowhere. Whether or not the front office would be amenable to such a deal , would be impacted by upon the situation that the franchise finds itself in. Rivers’ contract would not prove difficult to offload , given the bounty that would be provided to the Chargers by way of draft picks , as they seek to rebuild the franchise. However, such a scenario for the moment is merely a thought , and not much more beyond that.

Next up for the Chargers, will be a Thursday night game on the 1st November, against divisional rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs (1-6). For the 3-4 Chargers , a game behind the division leading (AFC West) Denver Broncos(4-3) . The game to be played at Qualcomm Stadium , in San Diego , California, should give us a clear indication as to the path that will be taken by both franchises, as they both seek to be prevalent.

While the NFL has gone to great lengths to stress its diversity , it should come as a great surprise that during the Superbowl era while the league officials at varying levels within its hierarchy. And the makeup of the NFL team rosters is apparently 72.7% minority based , predominantly, African-American. It seems strange that within the ranks of NFL ownership , there is only one owner of ethnic race. Granted , Reggie Fowler , a minority partner in the Minnesota Vikings’ ownership structure, is the lone African-American owner of an NFL franchise. It should be noted , Fowler failed in his original attempt to purchase the franchise, when it was placed on the market by Red McCombs . The sale of the franchise to Zygi Wilf , and the Vikings long sought search for success has been well chronicled since that sale. While Fowler remains in the background as Zygi, his sons, Leonard, Jeffrey and Mark Wilf are the business face of the NFL franchise.

In November 2011 , when Shahid Khan made a successful $775 million bid and purchase of the Jacksonville Jaguars, he became the first owner of ethnicity, of an NFL franchise, who was an outright unanimous stakeholder. Khan a self-made billionaire, and a naturalized US citizen , was born in Lahore, Punjab Province of Pakistan. His entrepreneurial skills and the very fact that he is an impassioned NFL fan cannot hide his love of the game, as he seeks to make the Jaguars a competitive and commercial success. Years of coaching woes under a string of coaches , has brought the franchise little success over the last decade plus.

In a very in-depth profile by the CBS’ news magazine program “60 Minutes”, the program’s anchor , Scott Pelley, conducted a very insightful interview with Shahid Khan , that covered the businessman’s rise from being an impoverished engineering student to his success behind the automotive services’ company Flex-N-Gate . A company, which he bought from the original owner , and has now turned into a business enterprise that has revenues in excess of $ 8 billion ($8,000,000,000) annually

, manufacturing and supplying automotive bumpers for all of the Big Three domestic automotive companies, as the leading foreign manufacturers, with production facilities in North and Latin America. Khan , was quick to point out that while the NFL hierarchy was amenable to his becoming an owner and joining their fraternity , the fans around the league were not so kind in their approval. It is hard to believe that in the four decades since the what we have as the nascent point of the civil rights’ era , in 2011 there still remains a great deal of racial bigotry and intolerance towards a person of color ! Shahid Khan and his family were subjected to the most heinous of verbal assaults , with many questioning not only his ethnicity , birthright , but also whether not fans of the Jaguars would be required to recite a verse from the Koran upon attending the team’s home games at Everbank Field, in Jacksonville , Florida , home to the Jacksonville Jaguars . Insidious as that suggestion is , this seems to be the world that we now live in .

Shahid Khan, a devout Muslim , is not a vocal proponent radical Islam , as espoused by these ultra-conservative Imams , who also are proponents of Sharia-law. He is keenly aware of his visibility as a high-profiled Muslim, and has done a great deal , nationally , and locally, to promote tolerance between Muslims , Christians , Jews and those of other religious beliefs, in order to foment and foster the respect of others. He is now genuinely beloved by Jaguars’ fans, and can be seen at home games , actually greeting the fans as they walk up to the gates of their home stadium. In the year, since he assumed control of the franchise , he has sought to make the team more competitive having assumed control after the purchase from Wayne Weaver. Subsequently, GM Gene Smith has sought to assemble a roster thought to be competitive enough to contend within the AFC South.Head coach, Mike Mularkey, and his coaching staff have adjusted slowly in trying to turn things around, but it is felt with the retention of Maurice Jones-Drew to spearhead the team’s offense , alongside quarterback Blaine Gabbert , and wide receiver, Justin Blackmon .

The Jaguars drafted prudently , looking to obtain players they felt would be able to contribute immediately to the franchise’s growth over the course of this season. The players acquired , rounds’ one through seven were , Justin Blackmon, Andre Branch, Bryan Anger, Brandon Marshall, Mike Harris, and Jeris Pendleton. The Jacksonville Jaguars are a lowly 1-6 within the AFC South , rooted at the bottom of the division and with the Carolina Panthers (1-6) , they share the worst record in the NFL . Clearly, the Jaguars’ issues go way beyond their on-field problems and injuries have played their part in the team’s problematical season. In their most recent game the Jaguars were on the wrong side of a 24-15 loss to the Green Bay Packers (5-3). The Jaguars will play host to the Detroit Lions (3-4) this Sunday, in a game that will have dire meaning for both teams. The Lions are having an indifferent season, and inexplicably Matt Stafford has been unable to take advantage of his premier offensive target of last season, wide receiver , Calvin Johnson. Head coach, Jim Schwartz, and his coaching staff have tried to the team playing with some semblance of consistency , and they have fallen short of their preseason aspirations. So much so, that is becoming increasingly hard to see the Lions make the postseason, unless they are able to get on a hot winning streak. Two of the team’s defensive stalwarts, Ndamokung Suh and Nick Fairley have had their issues during the offseason, for which, both players have been given stern warnings by GM Martin Mayhew, as to their behavior both on and off the field of play. If the Lions are to come out of this game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, then their play has to vastly improve not just against this opponent , but also over each of the adversaries that they will meet over the remainder of the 2012 regular season schedule.

With the trade deadline having now been pushed back forty-eight hours , from 4:00PM EST , Tuesday, 30th October , 2012, to the 1st November , 2012, 4:00PM (EST). It will be interesting to see which teams will seek to make bold and ambitious moves , in order to make a push towards , and by winning their division or a postseason berth by positioning themselves with a beneficial finish, within the AFC and NFC.

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Picture gallery.

What are your expectations for the second half of the NFL season? And which teams do you believe will be in the running for a divisional title and a playoff berth ? Also, with the NFL having made a big display and effort to create a diverse workplace in terms of the league’s makeup , do you believe that enough has been done to create an environment where there might be another owner of ethnicity within the NFL beyond Shahid Khan? Do leave a comment as a you see fit , on this subject matter, and anything else you believe pertinent to this article.

Picture and slideshow details below for your perusal.

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(1) Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Michael Perez …

(2) Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) scores on a 63-yard touchdown pass as Philadelphia Eagles corner-back Nnamdi Asomugha (24) goes in for the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Mel Evans …

(3) Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Todd Bowles , left, and wide receiver DeSean Jackson walk off the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Philadelphia. The Falcons won 30-17 . AP Photo/Michael Perez ….

(4) Quarterback Michael Vick (7) of the Philadelphia Eagles holds onto the ball as Corey Peters (91) of the Atlanta Falcons attempts to strip it during the fourth quarter in a game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 28, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Falcons defeated the Eagles 30-17. Rich Schulze / Getty Images North America …

(5) Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator , Todd Bowles, left, looks on as Eagles head coach Andy Reid walks by before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Philadelphia. Reid dismissed former defensive coordinator Juan Castillo during the team’s bye week. AP Photo/Michael Perez ….

(6) New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Wesley Woodyard (52) in the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Denver. The Broncos would defeat the Saints 34-14 . AP Photo/Jack Dempsey ….

(7) San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts after an incomplete pass to wide receiver Malcolm Floyd late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Cleveland. The Browns won 7-6 . AP Photo/Tony Dejak …

(8) Jacksonville Jaguars’ owner Shahid Khan ,left, is seen here CBS reporter Byron Pitts filming a segment for the news’ magazine program “60 Minutes” . There was a televised broadcast in-depth interview conducted by Scott Pelley , during which Khan’s life was profiled at extraordinary lengths and the public was introduced to the NFL’s first majority owner of ethnicity within the league. Shahid Khan paid $775 million in purchasing the NFL franchise from Wayne Weaver in November , 2011. In that time he has been the subject of racial bigotry by “alleged fans” of the NFL . copyrighted material … @ all rights reserved ..

(9) New Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, right, is introduced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during a news conference at the NFL owners meeting in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011. The sale from franchise founder Wayne Weaver to the Pakistani-born Khan was unanimously approved Wednesday. The deal reportedly is for $775 million. AP Photo/LM Otero …..
(10) Shahid Khan , seen here with a group of ardent Jacksonville Jaguars’ supporters for an NFL game played at the franchise’s home venue, Everbank Field , in Jacksonville ,Florida ,. The owner has reiterated his position, that the team will not be relocated, and that his intentions are to make the franchise a competitive and commercially successful enterprise . The fan-base for the Jaguars however, is amongst the lowest in the NFL , and ranks in lower half of the teams within the league. AP Photo/ Richard Harris ….

(11) Reggie Fowler , left , is seen here with former Minnesota Vikings’ owner Red McCombs in 2004 . Fowler failed in an attempt to buy the franchise from McCombs that year , after it had been revealed that he could not meet the financial guarantees sought by the NFL in making the purchase . He would however , be part of the consortium led by Zygi Wilf , that would make a successful bid for the Minnesota Vikings in 2005 . AP/REUTERS/ Phil Sharpe ….
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A Tribe Called Quest ——- “Find A Way”

It’s Wayne’s World ………. It’s Wayne’s World And The Poor Jaguars’ Fans Have Had To Endure It ! …….

It’s Wayne’s World …….. It’s Wayne’s World And The Poor Jaguars’ Fans Have Had To Endure It ! …….

By tophatal

I can’t say that I am at all surprised by the firing of Jacksonville Jaguars’ (3-8) coach Jack Del Rio ! I certainly do know this , Del Rio won’t be the only managerial casualty of the 2011-2012 season . Norv Turner , Tony Sparano  and Steve Spagnuoulo  are just three of the other names who could certainly bite the dust at season’s end . Jaguars’ owner is Wayne Weaver is either a misguided fool or simply someone who knew that at the end of the day the gig was up concerning his beleaguered coach . What however , might be more bewildering is the very fact that he offered an contract extension to team GM Gene Smith . Pardon me for saying this , but as a duo, Del Rio and Smith were ineffective when it came to spotting and nurturing talent and the organization’s continued pratfalls as comical as they may well have seemed bore the hallmark of a duo who simply did not know what the hell they were actually doing . Since Smith’s ascension to the position of general manager in 2009 both and Del Rio have combined to assemble a litany of draft picks that have yet to amount to anything . That being said this has been a woefully inept organization over the past few years . ======================================================== ==============================

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Some may well point to the fact that the lone bright spot on this current team might be running back Maurice Jones-Drew but by my way of thinking he has labored ? under the weight of expectation while Del Rio and the coaching staff have simply failed to gain any traction and lead the franchise to where they need to be .

With Del Rio’s firing Wayne Weaver had also formally announced that he had agreed in principle to sell the franchise he co-founded and brought into being to Chicago , Illinois businessman Shahid Khan . The prospective new owner pending league approval has stated that he has no intent of relocating the franchise . Personally , from my own standpoint I will believe that when I see it ! At the right price just about anything is possible , albeit that the Jaguars would have to deal with the city of Jacksonville as well as the Duval County government who as co-owners of Everbank Field still have a valid lease with the Jacksonville Jaguars that is not due to expire until 2027 . So any precipitous move prior to some type of formal agreement could very well lead to litigation between the franchise owner and their landlord .

Courtesy of Forbes.com

Jacksonville Jaguars Sold To Illinois Businessman For $760 Million

By Mike Ozania , Forbes Staff , Executive Editor Forbes; co-host Forbes SportsMoney YES Network

Wayne Weaver has sold the Jacksonville Jaguars to Shahid Khan, a Pakistan-born entrepreneur and head of Illinois-based Flex-N-Gate Corp, for $760 million. People familiar with the matter say Kahn used $350 million of debt to finance the deal. In August we said the Jaguars were worth $725 million, last among the National Football League’s 32 teams. But in September Walt Disney-owned ESPN signed a new television deal with the NFL that was 73% more than the previous contract. The Jaguars sale price clearly reflects the boost in television revenue given that the most recent sale prior to the Jaguars were the St. Louis Rams, which were acquired by Forbes 400 member Stan Kroenke  in 2010 for $750 million.

The Jaguars play in the NFL’s third-smallest market and Weaver has often had a combative relationship with local politicians over the teams lease at EverBank Field . Last year Weaver cut a deal with the city giving Weaver all of the revenue from the $16.6 million, five-year stadium naming rights agreement with EverBank. The prior agreement gave 25% of the naming rights to the city.

Khan had previously attempted to buy the St. Louis Rams from the children of the late Georgia Frontiere in 2010. But the team was grabbed by Kroenke, who had the right of first refusal to purchase the Rams.

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Click unto the link shown to read the article in its entirety . _____________________________________________________________

As Wayne Weaver rides off into the sunset under the misguided belief that the franchise is on the verge in stemming the tide and turning things around I have to ask why did he continue endure with the sheer ineptitude shown by Jack Del Rio as a coach ? Surely he could have seen that the with the record of the organization in 2009 and 2010 what improvements if any , were simple incremental at best , if that at all ! This season within the AFC South and the conference (AFC ) in general the Jacksonville Jaguars along with the embattled Indianapolis Colts (0-11) have been truly embarrassing and in terms of sheer ineptitude they have each sank to all all-time low .

With Jack Del Rio now departed it is now left to interim head coach Mel Tucker to guide the team over the remainder of the regular season . A positive showing from the one time assistant and offensive coordinator and he might well have that interim tag removed with the title of permanent head coach being added. But as we know the impending sale all things may well point to the fact that Khan and Smith might be considered to hire someone outside the organization . And here there would be no influx of likely candidates who might be considered for the position . Amongst the more credible candidates likely to seen as potential invitees are Rob Ryan , Bruce Arians , Joe Philbin , Pete Carmichaels , Greg Roman and perhaps with a high profiled candidate such as Jon Gruden  perhaps at the head of the pack . The money and the fact that Gruden would likely wish have ultimate control with regard to all personnel decisions made might just dissuade the front office of the Jaguars from looking at the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach as the likely successor to Jack Del Rio . I have no doubt that Shahid Khan in conjunction with Gene Smith would like to make a big splash in terms of the next hire in order to reflect the organization’s relevance . The Jacksonville Jaguars have had to endure eight painful years under Jack Del Rio with there being little tangible to show during his tenure .

JACKSONVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars watch the release of 10,000 balloons to end halftime ceremonies during play against the Houston Texans November 27, 2011 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Texans won 20 – 13. Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images ….

This season there are a number of players on the Jaguars’ roster who seem to be having sub-par years but if anything many might subscribe to the fact that they have given up on Del Rio and his coaching staff . Certainly , Maurice Jones-Drew , Blaine Gabbert  , Deji Karim , Mike Thomas , Marcedes Lewis , Jason Hill , Daryl Smith , Rashean Mathis , Dawan Landry and Paul Posluszny  have simply been spinning their wheels aimlessly going nowhere .

Week 13 sees the Jacksonville Jaguars playing hosts to the equally misguided San Diego Chargers (4-7 ) under another presumably ” lame duck coach” , in, Norv Turner . And if the Chargers’ coach is not fired at the end of their now mediocre season then the citizens as part of the “Occupy Wall St Movement” or should organize a proxy organization and demonstrate vociferously for the ouster of Turner and that ” moronic imbecile ” of a general manager A. J Smith ! What these two have allegedly achieved for the organization since their tenure began could be written on the back of a first class stamp and mailed to Timbuktu ! Chargers’ owner Dean Spanos are you that much of an asshole or has it simply been ingrained within your family’s DNA ? God knows this could be a game where no wants actually wants to bear witness to , given the combined ineptitude shown by both teams this season !

It has been clear for all to see that Wayne Weaver simply overestimated the attributes of Jack Del Rio this season and that is even with the advent of the Indianapolis Colts having lost Peyton Manning for their entire 2011 campaign . The AFC South not often thought of as being one of the more glamorous divisions within the NFL much less the AFC had simply become a pick ’em as to the likelihood of an outright winner to succeed the Colts whose domain the division had become perennially over the years .

This season however the AFC South seems to be the Houston Texans’ (8-3 ) for the taking albeit that Tennessee Titans (6-5) may well feel that they are in with a chance of turning the table and making the division their very own . But such has been the inconsistency of the teams within the AFC South that it would take a highly skilled bettor to lay odds as to which of the two teams between the Texans and Titans are likely to end up as the divisional champions . Would you be up to the task of picking the undoubted winner ? At this juncture it’s simply anyone’s guess as to what that outcome might just be .

When it is all said and done many will view Wayne Weaver as either a very good NFL franchise owner or simply a franchisee who got lost amongst the rush chasing success only to be fooled into thinking that many of the decisions made at the time just happened to be the right ones . From my own perspective I view Weaver just as any other owner within the NFL whose only visibility beyond his business dealings was to be seen as one of the “darlings” of the league . Now having taken the route of another downtrodden owner his basking in the fact that he felt that the organization is now on the right path having agreed to sell the franchise speaks to his sheer and utter stupidity ! But then again , he now has just over seven hundred million reasons ………….. why he ought to now feel really happy ! Your thoughts ? ============================================== ==================================================

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

As to the points raised within this piece how do you view the immediate future for the Jacksonville Jaguars ? And do you believe that the recent decisions made by Wayne Weaver were the right ones in terms selling the franchise , the firing of Jack Del Rio and the re-signing of Gene Smith to a three year contract extension ? By all means do leave a comment as you deem fit . 😉 ================================================= =============================

(1) Shahid Khan, seen here with his wife Ann at their home in Chicago , Illinois . The Pakistani native and now naturalized American citizen is said to be the prospective new owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars having purchased the team for a reported $760 million . Khan has promised the fans and the city of Jacksonville that the franchise will not be relocated elsewhere and that he intends to make the organization a success . courtesy of Jaguars.com .

(2) Jacksonville Jaguars interim head coach Mel Tucker chats during an NFL football news conference Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Tucker was named to the position after Jack Del Rio was fired by team owner Wayne Weaver Tuesday morning. AP Photo/Rick Wilson ….

(3) New Jacksonville Jaguars interim head coach Mel Tucker, left, listen as general manager Gene Smith answers a question during an NFL football news conference, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Tucker was named to the position after Jack Del Rio was fired by team owner Wayne Weaver Tuesday morning. AP Photo/Rick Wilson …..

(4) Jacksonville Jaguars team owner Wayne Weaver is shown during a news conference in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. The Jaguars will have a new owner and new coach. Weaver is selling the team to Illinois businessman Shahid Khan, and coach Jack Del Rio is fired after a 3-8 start, with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker appointed interim coach. General manager Gene Smith gets a new three-year deal. AP Photo/Rick Wilson …

(5) INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FILE: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches the action during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 13, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to reports on November 29, 2011, the Jacksonville Jaguars have fired head coach Jack Del Rio after nine seasons. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images …..

(6) FILE – In this Oct. 24, 2011 file photo, A Jacksonville Jaguars fans shows his opinion of head coach Jack Del Rio during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars fired Del Rio, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 after a 3-8 start, parting ways with him during his ninth season. AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack ….

(7) Jarett Dillard (87) of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to catch a pass during the game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field on November 27, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars would go lose to the Texans 20-13 . Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images ….

(8) Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (11) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Tim Jamison , top, and defensive end J.J. Watt , lower left, during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla. Houston won 20-13. AP Photo/John Raoux …….

(9) JACKSONVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Maurice Jones-Drew (32) of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for yardage during the game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field on November 27, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images …….

(10) JACKSONVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars watch the release of 10,000 balloons to end halftime ceremonies during play against the Houston Texans November 27, 2011 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Texans won 20 – 13. Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images …. ========================================================== =========================== 🙂 ————————————————————————————— ————-

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Hot chic pic of the day ….. Monika Pietrasinka . Well hello there !

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A little more of Monika for the more discerning eye . If you can’t beat ’em just simply drool !
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To the fans in Jacksonville here for your edification …. Beyonce’ … feat’g J Cole .. & … Kanye West … “Party”

It Happens For A Reason ….

It Happens For A Reason ….

By Alan aka tophatal

So the MLB postseason is turning out to be something of a snooze-fest in terms of the offensive output from the two participants . And that comes as something of a surprise when one considers the teams’ productivity throughout much of the regular season . Both the St Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers as the two representatives from the National and American League are hoping to make MLB postseason finale a thrilling spectacle for the fans in attendance as well as the television viewing public on Fox Tv.

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With the series now tied at 1-1 the two teams head to Arlington Texas for the resumption of the World Series at Rangers Ballpark . Now while there has been a great deal of criticism of the Cardinals’ Albert Pujols for an error committed during game two which ensued in the Texas Rangers coming back to win the game 2-1 . Rangers’ manger Ron Washington must know that in winning game three in-front of a home crowd bodes well for a team . Especially in light of the fact that the winners of a game three in ten of the last eleven World Series have gone on to take baseball’s ultimate prize .

The Neielsens’ ratings at present don’t seem to be mirroring what the baseball hierarchy had hoped for and that is in spite of the rather naive mindset of the fans of the game . Let’s just say should there’s not much more that can be done to raise the profile of the game by MLB .

As to the events that have yet to unfold within the current series one can only hope that both teams can give the fans whatever it is that they simply yearn for !

NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus is sold on the fact that two of his more high profiled clients in Chad Ochcocinco and Terrelle Owens still have something to offer any team wishing to take a chance on them in order for them further enhance their somewhat checkered and controversial careers. The New England Patriots’ wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is under pressure to produce for the New England Patriots . Ochococinco had shown little by way of productivity for the Patriots this season . For all of the talk of the self aggrandizing and outspoken Ochocinco wanting to be a team player there has been little to suggest he has anything left in his gas tank ! Never mind the fact that his self style moniker “Future HOF ????” (Hall of Famer). I can tell you Chad Ochocinco’s credentials won’t be getting him into the Hall of Fame at any point in the future ! Now rumors are rife within the Patriots’ organization that the front office could very well cut the veteran wide receiver .

Courtesy of Miami Herald

Rosenhaus: Owens ready to go following knee surgery

Free agent wide receiver Terrell Owens is apparently ready to return from off-season knee surgery.

And his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is about to let the NFL know that the flamboyant wideout will be available to whichever team wants him.

“I just watched Terrell go through a full football workout and he looked awesome!” the 44-year-old said via his Twitter account on Wednesday evening. “He is 100% healthy and ready to play right now. I will be contacting the teams today to inform them that (he) is immediately available to visit and work out for then, He could play this Sunday!”

The 37-year-old Owens has yet to play this season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury and subsequent surgery in April.

He appeared in 14 games a year ago with Cincinnati, racking up 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns in a memorable pairing alongside Chad Ochocinco.

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Terrell Owens coming off a productive — season with the Cincinnati Bengals —— the player would suffer an injury that would curtail his embarking on the 2011 season. No longer the pre-eminent player at the position within the NFL , Owens has seen the ascendancy of Larry Fitzgerald , Marques Colston , Wes Welker and Calvin Johnson atop of the heap, as the most feared wide receivers within the game. And with the retirement of Randy Moss it gives credence to the fact that the 13 year veteran has now become something of a dinosaur.

Is Terrelle Owens a bonafide future Hall of Famer ? Certainly one could say that his credentials bear credibility but the knock against the player certainly has to be his ego and the fact that wherever he has been over the course of his career , he has been critical of his teammates and the organizations during his tenure. However , I firmly believe that Owens will be find himself on a team if he proves to a coach or general manager around the NFL that he still has something to offer. Rosenhaus has sent all thirty two teams in the NFL a fax concerning his wishes for them to attend his client’s workout schedule . And being the consummate showman that he is , Drew Rosenhaus has also made sure that the press will be on hand to pose questions both himself and Terrelle Owens. Is there anything that agent will not do to make himself the focus of attention but also his clients ?

Chad Ochocinco’s future now is by no means certain but he knows that Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick isn’t a patient man , so as of now he’s on the clock and has to produce or else !

Through six weeks of the NFL I have to admit that there has been god damn awful being played within the league . But yet somehow certain coaches still retain their jobs for one reason or another . Certainly either the general managers and team owners don’t yet feel they’re ready to pull the plug but sooner or later something most definitely will have to be done ! Amongst the coaches whom I feel are now being summarily scrutinized by their respective general managers the names which come to mind are that of Jack Del Rio , Tony Sparano and quite possibly Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals . Del Rio , Sparano, as coaches of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins have seen their respective teams play some atrocious football over the course of the regular season and their respective records bear this out.

A great deal was made of the Arizona Cardinals acquiring — Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles and then signing the player to a ridiculously asinine contract ! To date Kolb has done little to suggest that he’s worth the money much less give credence as to the reasons he was acquired by the organization .

By any stretch of the imagination Kevin Kolb cannot be considered to be a credible starting quarterback within the NFL but in reality analysts are too overly impressed by what they take as being superlatives , being nothing more than in actuality , complete mediocrity !

Poor play and mediocre coaching is simply the only way to describe what we are now seeing from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins . I certainly don’t believe that anything Jack Del Rio or Tony Sparano can turn things around for their respective franchises ! Blaine Gabbert has had his baptism of fire and it is clear to see that the player has a great deal of learning to do as he embarks upon his NFL career. There’s been little to suggest that the Jaguars have what it take to be competitive within their own division in the AFC South much less the rest of the NFL as a whole .

With a further nine weeks left in the regular season before the embark upon the postseason schedule it should be interesting to how the franchises apply themselves to the task at hand as they vie for a playoff berth . As to the future of the aforementioned coaches within this piece and their ability to turn things around for their respective teams it remains to be seen how they will fare .

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

What thoughts if any do you have on the points raised within this piece ? Simply chime in with a comment as you deem fit .

Alan aka tophatal ………….

https://tophatal.wordpress.com

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(1) St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina watches as Texas Rangers’ Mike Napoli crosses home after Napoli hit a three-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 4 of baseball’s World Series Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 4-0 to tie the series at 2-2 . AP Photo/Matt Slocum ….

(2) Albert Pujols (5) of the St. Louis Cardinals waits on deck during Game Four of the MLB World Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 23, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images ….

(3) Albert Pujols (5) of the St. Louis Cardinals watches the ball after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning for his third home run of the night during Game Three of the MLB World Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Cardinals won 16-7 . Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images …..

(4) The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Texas Rangers 16-7 in Game Three of the MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images ….

(5) Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 32-20 . Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images …..

(6) Kevin Kolb (4) of the Arizona Cardinals passes the ball over the arms of Lawrence Timmons (94) of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their game at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images ….

(7) Chad Ochocinco (85) of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the second half against the San Diego Chargers on September 18, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images …..

(8) FILE – In this Aug. 27, 2011 file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith is shown before an NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Orchard Park, N.Y. When the Jaguars promoted Smith to general manager in 2009, a groundswell of support followed. Nearly three years later, that confidence has seemingly been shaken. AP Photo/David Duprey …..

(9) Blaine Gabbert (11) of the Jacksonville Jaguars tries to get a pass off over Ziggy Hood (96) of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 16, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won the game 17-13. Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images …..

(10) Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches his team play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on October 16, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images …..

(11) Chad Ochocinco (85) and teammate Terrelle Owens (81) of the Cincinnati Bengals are seen here during the Hall of Fame game from last season. Owens is now a free agent looking to sign with an NFL team under the auspice of his agent Drew Rosenhaus . AP Photo / Clyde Marshall ….

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MLB news

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MLB Word Series 2011

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NFL transactions

NFL week 7

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NB: The World Series is now tied at two games apiece (2-2) between the St Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers .

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Since When Did Mediocrity In The NFL Become Synonymous With The State of New York And In Particular New York City ?

Since When Did Mediocrity In The NFL Become Synonymous With The State of New York And In Particular New York City ?

I sat and watched three NFL games over this past weekend and in doing so I saw all three teams within New York State literally fall apart at the seams. The Buffalo Bills , New York Giants and New York Jets have respectively seen their seasons simultaneously come apart at the seams. The Bills were ripped apart like a hyena feasting on the carcass of a dead animal. So much so that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots weren’t at all tested by the lowly Bills in an AFC East divisional matchup. Suffice to say that by the second half the result of this game was a foregone conclusion .

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Slide show for your perusal .

It’s hard to see how this Bills’ coaching staff can return to the organization next season as there’s little to really suggest that this team is actually heading in the right direction. Head coach Chan Gailey hasn’t really been able to gain the confidence of this team and there’s no reason to believe that the front office can truly believe that he’s the answer to what’s really needed for this team from a coaching standpoint. Gailey in all probability will be a coaching casualty in the offseason.

The New York Jets for all of the perceived hype surrounding this team have been literally in a downward spiral since their merciless beating ( 45-3)at the hands of the New England Patriots . And as a reminder to a somewhat opinionated patron of my site who suggested to me that Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez is a player who’s not restrained by the playbook of coach Rex Ryan . Anyone who witnessed what took place in the game against the Chicago Bears really needs to look intensely at the game between the two teams. Sanchez and his teammates were inept on both sides of the ball. And anyone who’s of the belief that this defense is good enough to even to stop the run much less the pass really needs to look at this team in great depth. Not only that but Sanchez when placed under a great deal of pressure becomes like a deer caught in headlights. I guess that patron really doesn’t know what the hell he’s actually talking about as he must simply watch these games through rose colored glasses ? The 38-34 loss to the Bears itself though not entirely surprising adds fuel to the fire that the Jets in recent weeks have become all too complacent and wrapped up in their own belief that they’re now amongst the elite within the NFL . Is it any wonder that Rex Ryan breathed a sigh of relief once he found out that the Jacksonville Jaguars had essentially foregone their chance of making the playoffs by losing to the
Washington Redskins — ( 20-17 ) in overtime at Everbank Field (Alltel Stadium) , in Jacksonville,Florida.

Jay Cutler and the Bears’ offense were allowed to run wild all over the Jets and for any of the Jets’ fans out there they can’t be entirely happy with what they’re now witnessing from their team or the coaching staff on the whole. Rex Ryan has to be extremely disappointed with what he’s now witnessing from his team. And you’d be hard pressed to suggest that even with a favorable seeding as a wildcard in the playoffs that the New York Jets would be successful in the divisional rounds . There’s a great deal that needs to be addressed with this team on both sides of the ball.

I know that the New York Giants must be shellshocked after their shellacking by the Philadelphia Eagles . But what took place against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field where this Packers’ team led by Aaron Rodgers had several members of their roster team on the injured reserve list but they simply laid the wood to the Giants and made Tom Coughlin’s position with the team now look all the more precarious . It certainly didn’t help that the Giants turned the ball over eight times during the game with quarterback Eli Manning throwing four interceptions. I guess $100 million in this day and age doesn’t get you a great deal at all ! As to Manning being given a pass because he’s led the team to a Superbowl may well mean a lot but t the NFL nowadays has become more about what have you done for me lately and not what you did yesterday ! The Giants are now in so much of a tailspin that were they in a popularity contest their approval rating would be lower than that of the Democrats and the members of Congress and Senate . To say that the Giants are stinking up the joint would be an understatement as the team now makes fecal matter smell a great deal better than a bouquet of red roses .

The city of New York is a proud one that looks upon its professional sports franchises with a great deal of pride especially when it comes to their baseball and football teams. But in essence what those fans have been witnessing recently now seems to resemble mediocrity to the “nth degree” . As good as the teams mentioned are perceived to be it’s hard to believe that simply based on their form at present that they’re simply good enough to be even thought as being amongst the elite within the NFL at present ! And say what you will about the fans in New York but when their teams tend to play badly rarely at times do you simply hear those fans come out and be openly critical of their teams. Instead they remain obnoxious self opinionated and not always willing to accept criticism when it’s aimed their way.

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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer (8) smile after the Patriots’ 34-3 win over the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. AP Photo/Mike Groll ………

Buffalo Bills’ Naaman Roosevelt (18) can’t make the catch under pressure from New England Patriots’ Darius Butler (28) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. The Patriots won 34-3. AP Photo/David Duprey ……

Orchard Park , NY,. Patrick Chung (25) of the Patriots applies pressure on a pass intended for Steve Johnson (13) of the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images ………

Kyle Love (74) of the New England Patriots sacks Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) of the Buffalo Bills as Eric Wood (70) of the Bills tries to block at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3 . Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images ……….

Coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Giants would be defeated by the Packers 45-17 . Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images …………

Ahmad Bradshaw (44) of the New York Giants carries the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images ………

Eli Manning (10) of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images ……..

Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images ………..

Matt Forte (22) of the Chicago Bears is stopped by David Harris (52) and Calvin Pace (97) of the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34 in a game that was replete with defensive errors and a great deal of offense from both teams. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images ………..

Shonn Greene (23) of the New York Jets runs against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images ……….

Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets watches as his team takes on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images ………….

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Matt Forte (22) of the Chicago Bears runs for 32 yards and a first down as Drew Coleman (30) of the New York Jets pursues at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images ………

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Jay Cutler (6) of the Chicago Bears gets a hug from teammate Olin Kreutz (57) after running for a touchdown against the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34 . Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images ………..

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Picture gallery for your perusal .

What thoughts if any do you have about how all three New York teams have played in Week 16 ? And how do you now see the future of the Giants and Jets as they embark on their postseason ambitions ?

NB Week 17 schedule

NFL news

NFL Divisional Standings

NFL Team Statistics — Defense & Offense

NFL Players’ Stats …..

NFL Tie break procedures

Alan aka tophatal ……………………………………..

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Eye candy … Rosa Acosta does her bit to enhance this model courtesy of Lowrider Magazine.com

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Nikki Lowri shows that she too is a fine figure of a woman !

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NFL Season At A Glance ……………….

NFL Season At A Glance ……………….

The NFL —– season has been one of surprises and a great deal of disappointment and if anything the off the field stories have been just as suspenseful as the intrigue on the field. Brett Favre’s downward spiral into mediocrity has been one big hoop-lah after the other. And it would appear that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would rather suborn the player’s behavior and hide behind the fact that quite possibly Favre’s imminent retirement will circumvent him having to suspend the player if his verdict is in fact a positive one that finds the player guilty any wrongdoing in his alleged sexual misconduct concerning a former New York Jets’ employee.

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Slide show for your perusal

On the field we’ve seen the fall from grace of the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys the presumptive favorites to make it to this season’s NFC championship game. And as much as I’d like to say that it all came as a surprise to me but in reality nothing pleased me more than seeing both of these over hyped and underachieving teams fall like a lead balloon. Foolhardy management, inadequate coaching and players who simply were complacent essentially played a part in the soap opera that has encapsulated both teams’ season. For owners Jerry Jones and Zygi Wilf they’ve seen their year fall apart and that of any ambition they had professionally as well as from a financial standpoint. In Wilf’s case it was also the prospect of having the upper hand in terms of persuading the state legislature in their upcoming vote for a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. Jerry Jones’ ambition of not only hosting the Superbowl as the NFC representative has been shot to hell .

Coaching changes are abound with two firings have taken place Wade Philips , Brad Childress and it’s clear that with the Cincinnati Bengals —– Marvin Lewis choosing not to return to the team next season we may well be in for a slew of coaching upheavals with there being speculation as to whether or not the likes of Jon Gruden , Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy will be making a return to the NFL. They are viewed as the top three desirable coaching free agents on the market and it’d be asinine to think that a number of teams around the NFL won’t offer the trio an interview for any vacancy that may well arise.

Now while a number of teams are now in the mix for a playoff spot as well as those divisional titles that have yet to be settled . It goes without saying that for those teams who could end up playing spoiler and put an end of those postseason desirables. In the AFC West where I’ve always maintained that the football being played there borders on being mediocre, I’m still at a loss to understand the explanation and excitement that’s foisted upon the San Diego Chargers because they go on late regular season run as they strive to make the playoffs. For me if you simply can’t be consistent throughout the season then it simply doesn’t augur well for any ambition that they might have as the month of December and January approaches . As it is Norv Turner’s —- team is now in the fight of their life just to win their division and perhaps gain a postseason berth in the playoffs as a wild-card entrant. The division is now simply the Kansas City Chiefs to lose and as I alluded to earlier with the ineptitude being shown as to the form within the division just about anything can happen and actually has happened during the course of the season.

The NFC West has been no different as there we could well see a division winner with a sub .500 record make the playoffs. Clearly there are many fans in general, as well several team executives who feel that this is something that shows why many feel that they’re ought to be a change in the playoff format as it relates to the postseason seedings. But with there being no outwardly directly calls vocally as of yet other than the murmured rumblings for the moment the format is unlikely to change.

Steve Spagnuolo’s —- St Louis Rams appear to be in the driver’s seat with regard to the NFC West and their game against the San Francisco 49ers being a titanic matchup of two teams looking to make their bid. Guided by Sam Bradford , the Rams could be the surprise team of the playoffs as no one could’ve foreseen the strides taken not only by the team but also by Bradford in his rookie season . In terms of the 49ers this has been something of a tumultuous season as from one moment to the next Mike Singletary seems to have lost control of this team . And it would appear that he can’t make up his mind as which quarterback is his best option to lead this team. Alex Smith still remains an enigma despite his five years in the league and with Troy Smith this season has simply seen him placed into his cauldron for his baptism of fire with the 49ers .

The AFC and for all of the drama that has taken place there it seems that Bill Belichick has the New England Patriots riding high and Tom Brady would appear to be now the odds on favorite this season for league MVP. Brady’s year has been an exceptional one with this high scoring offense and a plethora of offensive weapons . But if there’s a cause for concern then it has to be this young defense that has been somewhat inconsistent but then at times they give you a snap as to what they might be potentially by showing their athleticism .

The AFC South now seems to be up for grabs and it appears that the Jacksonville Jaguars may well have played themselves out of contention for the division. A week ago you’d have been hard pressed to have bet against the Jaguars but it now appears that Jim Caldwell and the Indianapolis Colts led by Peyton Manning are is in a fight to make this division theirs once again. The Houston Texans who came out of the starting gates like a stallion seems to have fallen off the track and it now looks as if Gary Kubiak’s tenure as the team’s coach could very well be coming to an abrupt end. With that type of high powered offense it’s easy to see the appetite that the analysts may well have had for the team . But offense alone simply doesn’t win games the Texans’ defense this season has been as porous as a sponge giving up points like a child gives up his or her lunch money having been bullied by an elder child. Let’s just say that the Texans have been extremely philanthropic when it comes to losing.

The Jacksonville Jaguars should they fall at this obstacle it’s hard to see how these players and in particular Jack Del Rio can look the the fans in the eye and state they tried their best. Their best has never and was never good enough , enough it was marginally above average , if that at all !

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard (9) leaves the field after losing 20-17 in overtime to the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack ……….

Washington Redskins running back Ryan Torain (46) dives into the end zone over the top of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Don Carey (22) during the second half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. The Redskins won in overtime 20-17. AP Photo/Reinhold Matay ……..

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford throws during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, in St. Louis. The Rams won 25-17 . AP Photo/Tom Gannam ……

ST. LOUIS, MO – DECEMBER 26 : Alex Smith (11) of the San Francisco 49ers passes the ball against C.J. Ah You (99) of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the 49ers 25-17. Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images ………

Philip Rivers (17) of the San Diego Chargers is dejected after throwing an interception during the Chargers 34-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images ………..

Bernard Scott (28) of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Chargers 34-20 . Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images ……….

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Picture gallery for your perusal

Now while many have made the comment that the Cleveland Browns have finally began to show some signs of life playing with a great deal of bravura it has to be said their divisional rivals the Cincinnati Bengals have been an immense disappointment . And despite the outward looking optimism shown by some team members Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer have shown little to suggest that they have what it takes to lead this team. The only positive to come out of this all may well have been the play of Terrell Owens who seems to have had a year that shows that he’s got a great deal to play for. Beyond that trying to salvage anything from this mess would be like shoveling manure and then suggesting that some real use can be made of it when you know that the flowers in a garden that have already blossomed.

As to what the remainder of the season portends for the NFL and these teams it remains to be seen what will transpire. But this much is certain with all of the drama that has taken place both on and off the field we do still have the intensity and the thrill of the postseason yet to avail itself to us. Make of it what you will . What thoughts if any do you have as to what you’ve witnessed this season within the NFL and what thoughts if any do you have with regard to the playoffs ?

Alan aka tophatal ………………………………..

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Eye candy …………….. Laura looking chivalrous, something to get your appetite up and running.