Hump Day: A Fresh Batch of Loser Rankings

1. Cleveland Browns- This might be the only team in the league that hasn't shown any signs of improvement over the course of the season. There is some good news (and there isn't any car insurance involved). The Browns get to face our #2 team on this list on Sunday.

2. Detroit Lions- Matthew Stafford hasn't had a lot of luck this season. In seven games this season, he's completed six touchdown passes and thrown 12 interceptions. But then again, it's the Lions and there isn't a lot of talent on the team outside of Calvin Johnson. The good news for the Lions is that they get to face the Browns this week.

3. Oakland Raiders- They did lose to the Chiefs this week. Could the JaMarcus Russell era be over in Oakland? With two touchdown passes and nine interceptions, it looks like Bruce Gradkowski could get his shot at the starting job. But then again, it's the Raiders. Either way, we'll find out later this afternoon.

4. St. Louis Rams- I hate putting this team at #4, especially after how well they played against the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, they're the lowest scoring team in the NFC. That said, the Rams are still playing some great football. They get Arizona at home this Sunday.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- This is another team playing great football right now. They won against the Packers and almost beat the Dolphins. Josh Freeman has thrown for four touchdown passes and 401 yards in two starts this season.

Hump Day: Your Loser Rankings for First Week of November

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- They're the only NFL team without a win this season. They get Green Bay this week. Josh Freeman makes his first NFL start this Sunday. Maybe he can get Tampa their first win too.

2. Cleveland Browns- They got rid of GM George Kokinis. That said, I announced on Twitter that I was interested in the GM position. I still am Mr. Lerner. I have qualifications...Okay maybe not, but still, I can't do any worse than before.

3. St. Louis Rams- I knew they would win at some point. Every team has to win. The Lions did it earlier this year and now the Rams are in the win column.

4. Detroit Lions- The Lions find themselves back on the list. The honeymoon is over. You guys are 1-6.

5. Kansas City Chiefs- The Chiefs won a spot over the Titans this week because the Titans won over Jacksonville.

The season standings are put off until the end of the season, when we declare our winner...I mean loser.

The Mondays: THE LIONS FINALLY WON A GAME!

Happy Monday everybody! Here's a look at the games...

Detroit Lions 19 - Washington Redskins 14- So ends the Lions 19 straight losses. Is it really an upset if there were people picking the Lions to win? Is Jim Zorn on his way out of D.C.? What about Jason Campbell? Let's not ask questions about Washington. Instead, Detroit should take this chance to rejoice, enjoy the victory. After all, you already have one more win than last year. So here's to you Detroit; you may not make the playoffs or finish the season at .500, but you've already got a win under your belt.

New York Jets 24 - Tennessee Titans 17- THE JETS ARE 3-0...OMG!!! *Sarcasm* Which is the bigger surprise though, that the Jets are 3-0 or that the Titans are 0-3?

New Orleans Saints 27 - Buffalo Bills 7- How's Drew Brees suppose to break the pasing record if he only throws for 172 yards? I for one am indifferent!

Chicago Bears 25 - Seattle Seahawks 19- So the Bears are now 2-1, instead of 0-3. I am most certainly relieved. Jay Cutler came through when we needed him to late in the game. He's turning into a wise investment.

Cincinnati Bengals 23 - Pittsburgh Steelers 20- All of the sudden, at 2-1, this Bengals team is pretty damn good. If you take away the Brandon Stokely touchdown catch in week 1, the Bengals are easily 3-0 right now. And they were in the Loser Rankings a couple of weeks ago. They have Cleveland next. The Bengals could easily be 3-1 going to Baltimore.

SUNDAY NIGHT RECAP: Indianapolis Colts 31 - Arizona Cardinals 10- Peyton Manning had a four touchdown, 379 passing yards day...Oh and the Colts had the ball longer than 15 minutes.

MONDAY NIGHT PICK: Dallas over Carolina

See you guys on Tuesday!

The Loser Rankings: Week 2

1. St. Louis Rams- They lost 9-7 to a Washington. They've also been outscored 37-7 in two games. Things don't look very good.

2. Detroit Lions- 19 straight! My offer still stands Lions. If you win one game, you're off the list for sure by the next week.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Is the end drawing near for head coach Jack Del Rio? It's a road game this week, but maybe Jacksonville fans would prefer that the game was blacked out.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Central Florida is in for a long, long year.

5. Cleveland Browns- They did lose to the Broncos, ya know!

So many teams could be in the top five. Next week, we bring out the Aztec Tomb, for those teams that will start the season 0-3.

The Loser Rankings: Electic Boogaloo Edition

So it's a new season, and we take a look at the worst teams after week 1. Don't read too much into the first couple of weeks of the Rankings. Please keep that in mind.


1. St. Louis Rams- They went 2-14 last season and they got shut out in an ugly game against division foe Seattle Seahawks. Things aren't looking good for the Rams this season.

2. Detroit Lions- The Lions have lost 18 straight games, dating back to the 2007 season. It makes sense that they'd be on this list.

3. Buffalo Bills- It was an ugly preseason for the Bills. And while they were leading on Monday night against the Patriots, they couldn't close the game out. This will not be a pretty season.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- I'll let this play say my thoughts about the Bengals at four.

5. Cleveland Browns- They hung in there with the Vikings for a half. Then Adrian Peterson ran them over.

NFL Preview Show Extravaganza: Detroit Lions

So what do you do when you go an entire season without winning? How would you feel about it, knowing that you didn't win a single game? Recently I've started using the saying "it could be worse, I could be a Lions fan." It gets laughs, but I'm serious. There can't be a worse thing in this country than to be a fan of the Lions...okay maybe I'm exaggerating, but give me credit.

The last time the Lions went winless in a season was 1942. Those are the only two times in the team's history. So you know, 26 straight losses is the record. If they go 0-10 to start the season, the Lions will break the record.

The Lions last win came on December 23, 2007. The Lions have gone two Christmas' without a win. In 2008, they gave up 532 points on defense, worst in the NFL. The closest the Lions got to a win in 2008 was when they lost by two points to the Minnesota Vikings.

Changes were made in the offseason. Out went Rod Marinelli and in came Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. I expect a lot of Spaceballs references this season.

Also new for the Lions this season is the quarterback. Top overall pick Matthew Stafford, who is already receiving a big paycheck, despite not taking a snap in the NFL. Stafford will be under a lot of pressure to take Detroit out of the cellar.

The last time the Lions went for a quarterback in the first round, it was Joey Harrington. I'm fairly certain Lions fans don't want to be reminded about how that experiment turned out. (FUN FACT: Joey Harrington is fifth in Lions history in passing touchdowns with 60).

The Lions don't need to do very much to have a better season. They don't need to win the Super Bowl or even make it to the playoffs. They don't need to go 8-8 or 7-9. All the Lions need to really do is win one game. They could go 1-15, but it would still beat going 0-16.

Time for those yearbook style questions:

Most Offensive Player (Offense MVP): Calvin Johnson
Most Defensive Player (Defense MVP): Ernie Sims
Best New Guy (Top Rookie): Brandon Pettigrew (Yep, I am not going with Stafford on this one)
Best Twitter Page: Phillip Buchanon
Team Song: Grand Funk Railroad- Locomotion (I went there! They can get Detroit Rock City next year if they win six games)
Coolest Names (Top 3): Larry Foote, Aveion Cason, Stuart Schweigert
Most Likely to Succeed (Team MVP): Calvin Johnson
In 2009, the Lions will go: 5-11

Next week, we'll focus on the NFC East...Oh and we will have a book club interview.


Enjoy your weekend of playing Madden. I know I will...

Hump Day: The Loser Rankings- October 28, 2008

Ahh yes, we have now officially reached the halfway point of this 2008 NFL season. That said, here's a look at the top five worst teams in the NFL.

1. Detroit Lions- I believe that picture says it all. The Lions are just flat out awful this year. To make matters worse, Detroit's former mayor was sentenced to 120 days in jail.

2. Cincinnati Bengals- No Carson Palmer, not much of anything. The Bengals are preparing for the next season. The best they can do at this point is go .500. Be real though, do you think the Bengals can win eight straight games.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- They had a chance against the Jets last week, but sadly, they still somehow found a way to lose the game. On the bright side, Tyler Thigpen had a terrific game against the Jets.

4. San Francisco 49ers- It was a tough loss for Mike Singletary. The Niners have now lost five straight games. Is that a good enough reason for you?

5. St. Louis Rams/Seattle Seahawks- Would you believe that the NFC West is the worst division in pro football? Yeah I find it hard to believe as well.


Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press

Hump Day: The Loser Rankings- October 22, 2008

Another week, another loser's rankings are here. You know the drill by now.

1. Detroit Lions- So, it has been a couple of weeks since Matt Millen was carried out of Detroit on a pole. Yes, the Lions are still winless. Two more losses and the Lions are officially out of the NFC North playoff hunt.
   
   
2. Cincinnati Bengals- So this team is continuing to fall apart. It's funny, but sad, tragic, yet amusing.
   
   
3. Kansas City Chiefs- So the woes continue for the Chiefs. Things just don't look good for this franchise.
   
   
4. Seattle Seahawks- I did not see this one coming. Honestly!
   
   
5. Oakland Raiders- If they keep winning, they won't have to be on this list.
   

Hump Day: Loser Rankings- October 15, 2008

Without waiting any further, here's your top five worst teams in the NFL.

1. Detroit Lions- They came oh so close to winning this week, but it was a safety by quarterback Dan Orlovsky that would cost them the game against Minnesota.




2. Cincinnati Bengals- They ran with the Jets, but they couldn't close the deal. Now it looks like Carson Palmer will not play this week.

3. Oakland Raiders- Tom Cable made his debut as the Raiders Head Coach. It was a debut that he would like to forget. The Raiders were blown away, 34-3. The Raiders have been horrible on third downs this season, only converting 27.5 percent, third worst in the NFL.

4. Kansas City Chiefs- They had a bye week last week. They play the Titans this week and things could get bad.

5. St. Louis Rams- You see what happens when you win, you increase your chances of falling out of the top five. The Rams scored a HUGE win over the soaring Redskins. The Rams season is not entirely out of reach. The Seahawks aren't that strong (and risk being in the top five), the 49ers aren't that strong and I'm not sure what to think of the Cardinals (other than they're really really good). The win over Washington could very well salvage the Rams season.

Hump Day: The Loser Rankings- October 8, 2008

So the Loser Rankings decided to take a bye week last week. That is how bad things are right now. Sure I'm probably overreacting, but that's not the point. The point is that there is no point.

1. Detroit Lions- This team is indeed the worst in football. How does a defense give up 334 yards passing from Kyle Orton. Nothing against Orton (I'm a fan of the neckbeard), but when the Bears pass for 300 yards on you, you know you suck.
   
   
2. St. Louis Rams- Scott Linehan is gone, but don't expect the Rams to leave the Losers Rankings anytime soon.
   
   
3. Cincinnati Bengals- They came close to winning last week, but sadly they stay in the top five.
   
   
4. Houston Texans- This is such a good team and they came oh so close to defeating the Colts on Sunday. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. I hope the Texans don't stay in the top five for
   too long. They're too good of a team to be 0-4.
   
   
5. Kansas City Chiefs- It should be the Raiders in the top five, but the Chiefs won the tiebreaker because they lost to Oakland.

Friday Briefs: NFL Picks- Week 4

It was another great week for yours truly. I went 4-1 for the week. After three weeks, I am 11-4. Things are looking up for me. Hopefully, I can keep things going.

Tennessee over Minnesota- It makes perfect sense.

Denver over KC- Like KC has a chance?

Carolina over Atlanta- I like that the Falcons are 2-1, but the Panthers are a tough team.

Jacksonville over Houston- The Jags are back on track.

UPSET: San Francisco over New Orleans

Enjoy the weekend.

Hump Day: The Losers Rankings- September 24, 2008

Week three has officially come and gone. It's safe to say that we are well underway in this the 2008 regular season.

1. Detroit Lions- If there had to be one team that would knock off the St. Louis Rams, it would have to be the team from Detroit. The Lions are just flat out awful. Now, all eyes are on Matt Millen and the others in management. By the way, check out this interesting find from the Detroit Free Press. It's a top 10 list on the players Millen passed on.

2. St. Louis Rams- Guess who is the lowest scoring team in the NFL? That's right! The Rams have the worst offense in the NFL, scoring just 29 points in three games. The Rams are benching Marc Bulger and going with Trent Green.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- The teams from Missouri aren't doing very good. Is it time to panic? This blogger says...yes. Now it seems as though the Chiefs are going back to Damon Huard. Maybe KC will look into getting Tim Tebow.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- The Bengals are still doing bad. Things could get worse.

5. Cleveland Browns- So we have a team that almost made the playoffs in the top five of our list. Cleveland's biggest issue is the running game, or lack thereof. Jamal Lewis has carried the ball 44 times in three games for only 156 yards and zero touchdowns.

Losers Rankings: September 16, 2008

Week two has officially past and we are now 1/8 of the way through the 2008 regular season. Yes, I am keeping track. I should be on the loser's rankings. However, I'm not an NFL team. Here are your top five losers for the week.

1. St. Louis Rams- Once again, the Rams were blown apart by an NFC East team and it wasn't a very fun game for them. They're 0-2 and it looks like the Rams won't win a game for a while. One columnist seems to suggest that the Rams bring Dick Vermeil back, except in an executive position.
   
   
2. Detroit Lions- They got blown away by the Packers. Do people still believe that the Lions can win the division? Let me rephrase, did anybody think the Lions would win the division? Anybody? Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?
   
   
3. Miami Dolphins- What is there to say? They won't win next week against the Patriots. Maybe, just maybe they'll move up the charts.
   
   
4. Cincinnati Bengals- Cincy once again winds up in the fourth position. Chris Johnson of the Titans ran over the Cincy defense. The Bengals defense has given up an average of 200 yards rushing in two games. The Bengals offense, once a force to be reckoned with, has scored 17 points in two games. They have the Giants on Sunday and we could be seeing the Bengals start 0-3.
   
   
5. Kansas City Chiefs- The Chiefs have a lot of talent, but it seems as though the walls are crumbling. When you see headlines like these, you can't help but wonder what is wrong with the Chiefs. Plus, what about LJ? At this point, who knows. We don't even know who is starting at quarterback on Sunday.

Photo Courtesy: NFL.com

Friday Briefs: NFL Picks- Week 2

Last week was a rough way to start the 2008 season. My picks didn't pan out the way I thought they would. Never fear, this week should be much better.

Green Bay over Detroit- Detroit could very well start 0-2.

Indianapolis over Minnesota- Indy gets back on track.

Carolina over Chicago- I could see this game being close.

Seattle over San Francisco- Hey, least they're not traveling across the country.

UPSET PICK: Oakland over KC

Enjoy the weekend

NFL Preview Show Extravaganza: Detroit Lions

We conclude our Packer-less preview of the NFC North with the Detroit Lions.

The Lions last season saw an explosion with their offense. Quarerback Jon Kitna led the way for the Lions, throwing for his second straight 4000 yard season. Kitna also had 18 touchdown passes, but threw 20 interceptions.

In two seasons with the Lions, Kitna already has 8000 yards with 39 touchdowns and 42 interceptions. This season, Kitna will be 36-years-old. He's reaching the end of his career. Detroit could very well be his final stop.

The defense is still an issue for the Lions. Last season, the Lions ranked 24th in points and 29th in yards, giving up more than 6000 yards of total offense. The defense lost Shaun Rogers as he went to Cleveland. Rogers led the Lions with seven sacks.

The Lions open up the regular season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. Notable home games for the Lions include, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Washington and New Orleans. Notable road games include, Indianapolis, Carolina and San Francisco.

Time for those burnin' non-Brett Favre questions (Yearbook style):

• Jon Kitna will throw for: 3500 yards
  
  
• Leading receiver for Lions: Roy Williams
  
  
• Leading rusher for the Lions: Kevin Smith
  
  
• Points Lions score this season: Less than with Mike Martz
  
  
• The defense will: Probably suck
  
  
• Lions rookie of the year: Kevin Smith
  
  
• Coolest names (Top 3): Gosder Cherilus, Idrees Bashir, Mike Furrey
  
  
• 80s song that best describes the Lions: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For- U2
  
  
• In 2008, the Lions will: Finish the season 6-10
  

Moving on after a tornado

I know I promised you folks a week off from my writing, but something came up and I want to write about it. There were multiple tornadoes reported all across the Northeastern part of Iowa. For the record, I am okay, the tornadoes that occurred on Sunday were nowhere near where I lived, but I did find a lot of debris in my family's yard. This is my only post of the week.

On May 25, it was a terribly humid Sunday. People in Iowa were out and about, celebrating Memorial Day weekend, attending graduations and graduation parties. However, the town of Parkersburg, Iowa suffered one of the worst tornadoes in the history of the state.

The small town of almost 2,000 residents experienced an EF5 tornado, which is considered the highest on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The tornado occurred shortly before 5 p.m.

The tornado caused serious damage throughout the town. When it was all said and done, five of the towns citizens were dead, more than 50 were injured and hundreds of homes were destroyed, forcing an entire town to evacuate from the places that they called home. Debris flew far away and went as far as Prairie Du Chen, Wisc.

The high school didn't get off that easily either.

Aplington-Parkersburg High School suffered serious damage. The tornado rendered the high school, virtually useless. The school will have to be torn down and could take years, as opposed to months, for it to be rebuilt.

The story of AP is significant in the sense that their football team is renowned for current NFL players that are on the sidelines. AP has turned out such stars as Kansas City Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann, Green Bay Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, Detroit Lions defensive end Jared DeVries and Jacksonville Jaguars center Brad Meester.

All four players played under AP coach Ed Thomas, who has won 281 games in his 36 year coaching career, ninth all-time in Iowa High School football history.

Last season the Falcons, as they are known, went 8-2 on the season. They were knocked out in the first round of the 1A state tournament by Newman Catholic from Mason City. AP has multiple state championships with their last one coming in 2001.

At this point, it is unknown what will happen to AP. It is also unknown what will happen to its football team. The town is in complete disarray from the tornado. It's heartbreaking to see this kind of hardship on this small town.

At this point, football is secondary to everything else. On a smaller magnitude, Parkersburg experienced its own version of what New Orleans experienced during Hurricane Katrina. It's important for the town of Parkersburg to rebuild. Even though the memory will forever be etched in the heads of many folks, there will come a time when Parkersburg returns to its normal self.

Hopefully, the high school can be rebuilt and can be built better than before. AP can truly rise again.

If you're interested in lending a hand, please visit the Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross. Just click on the link.

First Post in Almost a Month

Yeah I know, it has been a long while since I made my last post. Well, I have a little bit more free time to work with, especially with the NFL draft coming up in a few weeks. Here's some headlines for you fine folks out there.

Dolphins doing talks with Jake Long???- If things are correct, it seems like Long will be in Miami. So much for Matt Ryan going #1- Miami Herald

Bills Everett gets surgery to relieve pain in the neck- Everett had minor surgery on Monday to relieve the pain in his neck from a severe spinal cord injury he had in week one of the 2007 NFL season- NFL.com

Savage close to deal with Browns- Cleveland GM Phil Savage is close to a new contract extension. Savage's contract is set to expire in 2009- ESPN.com

Johnson ready to go for 2008- Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is ready to go for the 2008 season and believes that he will have a strong year. Johnson was plagued for a good part of the 2007 season with a back injury- The Detroit News

That's all I have for now, hope to have more on Friday.



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The Monday's: INSERT TITLE HERE

Week five has mostly left us. With the exception of the Monday Night Football game, taking place later on tonight, it's safe to assume that the week is over.

Time for some thoughts on Week 5:

• Chicago Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers, 27-20- Wow, I'm a Bears fan and I never saw it coming. Brian Griese, who looks like Mr. Roper from 'Enter the Dragon', had two touchdown passes.
  
  The Bears needed this win and they certainly went into Lambeau Field and got the job done. Cornerback Charles Tillman forced two fumbles, which helped the Bears get back into the game.
  
  Also, Brett Favre tied (not passed like previously mentioned) George Blanda for most interceptions All-Time. A big congratulations to him.
  
• Washington Redskins blow out the Detroit Lions, 34-3- What a great game for Jason Campbell, 23 of 29, 248 yards and two touchdowns. Plus check out this video from yesterday's game.
  
  As for Detroit, their offense shut down faster than a power outage at a Dave Matthews Band concert. They had 11 first downs and 144 total net yards. Quarterback Jon Kitna threw two picks. Like I said on Friday, I'm still not sold on the Lions.
  
• Houston Texans defeat the Miami Dolphins on a last second field goal by Kris Brown, 22-19- Great game for Ronnie Brown, 114 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown.
  
  The Texans scored only one touchdown. Brown had five field goals and that includes the 57-yarder that he kicked with one second left.
  
  The bigger story is the fact that the Dolphins are 0-5 and their quarterback Trent Green got knocked out of the game. The good news is that he's ok.
  
• Pittsburgh Steelers shut out the Seattle Seahawks, 21-0- Great work for the Steelers, I did call this game.
  
• New York Giants defeated New York Jets, 35-24- Did the Giants win, or did the Jets lose?
  
• San Diego destroyed the Denver Broncos, 41-3- Ooooh, that looks like it hurt.


• Monday Night Football Pick: Dallas Cowboys over Buffalo Bills
  

See ya

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Tuesday's with Romo: Detroit Lions

Greetings and welcome to this Late Edition of Tuesday's with Romo. We are continuing to breakdown all 32 NFL Teams.

Today we get to discuss a team that has been so comedic in past years, its just sad. That's right I'm talking about the Detroit Lions. I don't know why this year should be any different.

The Lions, led by second year coach, Rod Marinelli, finished in last place, with a 3-13 season. They drafed WR, Calvin Johnson with their first round pick.

They will be facing such teams as the Raiders, the Eagles, the Giants and the Chiefs.

On with ye' burning questions (Yearbook style):

1. Jon Kitna's prediction of 10 wins is: The funniest thing I've heard all day
2. Is Kitna right: No. Is he ever right: Not in my eyes
3. Biggest weakness for the Lions: Ehhhh the defense and the running game
4. Calvin Johnson will: Have the most rookie offensive touchdowns this season
5. Who is the best WR this year: Roy Williams (Mike Furrey because he's on my Fantasy team)
6. When people think of Matt Millen they think of: A smart football guy stuck with a terrible team
7. The offense will: Do ok (at least they don't have Mike Williams dropping passes)
8. Kiss song that best represents team: N/A (Hey they are not worthy of Detriot Rock City)
9. In 2007, the Lions will: Still stink, finish in last, go 5-11

Before you kids get your hopes up on the Lions, think about the seasons past.

I'll catch ya guys tomorrow.

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