The NFC East is currently led by Dallas with the New York football Giants breathing down their necks. Offensively, the “Big 3” categories are yards per game (YPG), total yards (TY) and passing yards (PY).  These are the offensive rankings for the teams in the NFC East in the NFC:

Cowboys are 2 YPG, 3 TY & 2 PY;

Redskins are 13 YPG, 6 TY & 14 PY;

Eagles are 8 YPG, 6 TY & 7 PY and

Giants are 9 YPG, 3 TY & 10 PY.  Despite the Eagles being in the top ten in the conference list in the “Big 3” rankings, they are paltry 2-4 in the record department. In order for them to win the conference or get a “wild card” berth, they would have to win at least eight of their last ten games. That is a .800 win percentage with the rest of the division playing about .400 against each other.  Therefore, I will rule the Eagles out of any chance in even getting to a “wild card” berth.  With that noted, we must look at the competition of the teams they are all playing for their remaining games in a little more in-depth basis.  This is not including any injuries and just using the opponents records they will face.

Philadelphia plays seven of ten teams over .500 and plays at New England following a game with Miami at home.  If Miami is winless and catches Philadelphia looking ahead to that New England game, they may possibly sneak in their first win.  Other then wins over the Lions and Jets they have managed to score 44 points in 4 games.  That averages out to only 11 points per game.  Or, about half of what Bironas kicked in the last game for the Titans. They are 1-2 at home, 1-2 on the road and 0-2 against NFC East rivals.  Their remaining home games are against Dallas (6-1), Miami (0-6), Seattle (4-3), Giants (5-2) and Buffalo (2-4).  I see them coming out of that scenario at 2-3.  Their road games are at Minnesota (2-4), Washington (4-2), New England (7-0), Dallas (6-1) and at New Orleans (2-4).  My prediction for their remaining road games record at 2-3. They should finish the season somewhere around 6-10 and nowhere in contention for the NFC East. 

New York is definitely the hottest team in the East having won 5 in a row.  In addition, there is a trip to London this week that could have an effect on the Giants that may possibly help them in the end, or not. The Giants are playing the Miami Dolphins in a stadium that David Beckham used to play in.  Why they are playing overseas?  No one really knows, but maybe in the future, there will be a team over there for all non-soccer fans to watch in Europe.  Oops, my bad.  There was the NFL Europe league that folded! There was nothing like a close game with Rhein Fire against the Frankfort Galaxy on a Saturday morning to sway the European fans to the American game.  Anyway, after the fish and chips dinner near Wimbledon and having to look to the right before they step off the curb they play that game, and they have a “bye” week to rest before playing Dallas at home.  As for the “jet lag” issue, you really don’t need any rest to play Miami!  They could probably beat them after a sleep deprivation test now with RB Brown out for the season.  As for the return trip, they do have that “bye” week and should be well rested.  The Giants road trip to “Jolly Ole England” for all intents and purposes is a road game for Miami and New York, so there really isn’t any home field advantage or disadvantage to consider.  Their home games are Dallas (6-1), Minnesota (2-4), Washington (4-2) and New England (7-0).  I see them coming out of this at 3-2 with wins over Minnesota, Washington and Miami because they are playing at home.  Their road games are at Detroit (4-2), Chicago (3-4), Philadelphia (2-4) and Buffalo (2-4).  I see them finishing up this portion as 3-1 with only a loss to Detroit, yes Detroit.  That would give them a record of 6-4 for the remainder of the those game and finish the year with a 10-6 record, probably good enough for at least a “wild card” berth.

Washington is 4-2 overall, 1-1 on the road and 3-1 at home.  Their road games are played at New England (7-0), NY Jets (1-6), Dallas (6-1), Tampa Bay (4-3), Giants (5-2) and at Minnesota (2-4).  I see them with a total of 2-4 coming out of this mess because New England, Dallas, Giants and Tampa Bay will be looking to solidify their playoff position.  Tampa Bay could secure their a solid grasp on first in their division with a Turkey Day weekend win.  Their home games are Philadelphia (2-4), Buffalo (2-4), Chicago (3-4) and closing out with Dallas (6-1).  They should be at least 3-1 after the Dallas game or even 4-0 after that game if Dallas has secured a spot and are resting their starters and Washington needs to win to hope to get into the playoffs.  When this mess is sanitized, the Redskins could be 5-5 or 6-4 depending on the Dallas scenario.  Their record for the season should be 10-6 also, or 9-7.

That would take us to the team you either love or hate.  Dallas plays seven of nine teams over .500, but four of their last seven games are at home which will benefit them immensely. Their road games are Philadelphia (2-4), Giants (5-2), Detroit (4-2), Carolina (4-2) and Washington (4-2).  They may come out of this 3-2, but I see them 4-0 when it’s done.  If they do suffer a loss, it may be to Detroit!  That’s because of their three previous home game they head into a game with a Philadelphia game after that Detroit game.  The Cowboys may be looking past Detroit for the Philadelphia rivalry.  The Redskins, Jets and Green Bay all come into town in consecutive weeks to the stadium with a hole in the roof.  Their home game opponents are Giants (5-2), Washington (4-2), Jets (1-6), Green Bay (5-1) and Philadelphia (2-4).  This gaggle mess should have the Cowboys setting at 3-2, and overall for the rest of the year at 12-4 or 11-5.

 This would be fine if it were played like this using speculation, but there is pride in some teams and no matter what the records, there is always a chance to knock the leader down a notch.  What better way to cap a season for the Eagles then to ruin the Cowboys chance for home field in the NFC playoffs?  No matter how bad Philadelphia is, they would love to ruin everyone’s chances.  The Cowboys have the toughest road to their Eastern title, but that is why the game is played.  If I use the scenario, I have:

Cowboys at 12-4 or 11-5;

Washington at 10-6 or 9-7 ;

New York at 10-6and

Philadelphia at 6-10. 

That would lead to a tie breaker for second place, but with the Cowboys at 12-4 or 11-5 and the topic; who and why?  There are intangibles such as injuries, suspensions, implosions by receivers and an experience with slippery balls on field goal attempts with no time remaining that may come into play.  When all is said and done in the blog world, I have the Cowboys taking the NFC East.

  “With the 13th pick in the 1997 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select from California, tight end Tony Gonzalez.” With the end of that statement, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted not only a pro bowl tight end, but also more importantly a true professional.  The number 13 in this case was very lucky for the Chiefs and that city.  Tony Gonzalez now holds the record for touchdown catches for tight ends and will eventually be enshrined in the Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

  Look at his lifetime statistics and they speak for volumes about the smart choice Kansas City chose.  These are lifetime statistics he has averaged since 1997.  (All of these statistics are on the NFL Statistics site, if you want to read more.)  For his career, here are some notable items.

64 touchdowns;

12.1 yards per catch;

4.1 yards after catch;

55.8 yards per game;

  In addition, seven times Pro-Bowler!  In 2004, he had a career high of 102 receptions and 1258 yards, averaged 78.6 yards per game and 12.3 yards per catch.  In the years after being drafted in the first round, do you know how many games he has missed.  He has missed a total amount of zero, nada, zip, zilch- zero.  He is a tight end, not a punter that plays every so often, such as the punter from Indianapolis’ punter that many could not name.  The statistic that I find more impressive then his push towards an Ironman Award is his fumbles.  During his career, his fumbles are incredible. He has a career 6 fumbles.  That is six for a tight end that has not missed a game in his career during the regular season equaling less than one a year.  He crosses the middle of the field with reckless abandon without regard for the inevitable hit and has only amassed a miniscule six fumbles.

  Let us put this into perspective. For the season beginning in 2000 carrying through the seasons 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, he had zero fumbles.  Over the past seven seasons, he has only had one fumble.  That itself is a phenomenal achievement.  He is the Chiefs “go to” receiver when times are in a bind on a touchdown drive.  Here is something also to be impressed about.  Of his 759 career receptions, 383 come in the second half; 368 are when his team is behind; 147 were across the middle of the field; and 272 were on third down.  On second down with 8-10 yards to pick up to sustain the drive, he has had the ball thrown to him 138 times; on third down with 3-7 yards to pick up, it was 104 times and when the goal line situation exists, they went to him 39 times.  Nothing says, “Guard this guy in the crunch times” like Tony Gonzalez.

  He is always one or two in fantasy league points at the end of the year for his position.  Like many professionals, he performs community service such as “Habitat for Humanities” and makes the mandatory appearances as requested by the NFLPA.  However, there is another side of him, which he prefers to stay in out of the limelight.  It is his foundation called, “Shadow Buddies.”  He also works with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.  Shadow Buddies is more of a caterer to sick children and the elderly who give smiling dolls to those that receive them as a gift.  Those gifts are not in the Kansas City area alone, they also are given in the states of California, Missouri, Kansas, New York, Texas, Washington DC and Hawaii.  In addition, he gives out books about disabilities to school kids to help them understand those, which are disabled.  He has assisted in a national “Buckle Up” campaign in honor of his fallen teammate Derrick Thomas.  Has also spoken or participated in breast cancer awareness.  Participated in Organ Donors associations; donated over 200 flag football uniforms to youth leagues; matched 2 for 1 every dollar of a $75,000 park renovation project to construct a football field for inner city youths, and also provides 10 season tickets to the Chiefs games to the Boys and Girls clubs as an incentive to its members.  He also started an “Elite 88” program in July that as an incentive to its members receive personal emails from him twice a month.

   Although the Chiefs were winners in the draft of 1997, their organization and fans were the biggest winners.  He is not a chest thumper or rah-rah player on the field.  He does not make headlines when he is not playing football in the off-season.  He is the consummate leader not only on the field, but also off the field.  He is a credit to the NFLPA and truly exemplifies the title - “Professional.”

There really is an Indianapolis Punter!!!

Griese is the only way for Chicago…

On the other hand, is he?  They replaced a quarterback named Grossman that had on QB rating of 0.00% in one game last year; had admitted he did not always give 100% in a game and had one of the best defenses in the league to bail him out.  At times Grossman could not figure out which way the flags were blowing on the top of the goal posts.  Griese replaced him and he led them from behind to win the game a few days ago.  How many times have we seen this happen in the past?  Another QB now a savior for their team and their starting pigskin chucker leads them to the “Promised Land.”  They have had one of the best defenses led by Urlacher.  While Urlacher is a pro-bowler, Lance Briggs, another pro-bowler is the true anchor for that defense.  In addition to the defense, they have Hester on special teams.  Teams are now kicking only to the 35-40 yard line to avoid TD returns against them.  Griese has a starting position of near mid-field to start from and only 40 yards to reach to make it to the “red zone.”  This should not be an insurmountable amount of yardage to get to the red zone and makes life easier for Griese than it was for Grossman.

  Say it isn't so!  Vick pleads guilty, you have to be kidding?  No, you plead guilty to federal dog fighting conspiracy charges.  So I guess this means we shouldn't be hearing racial profiling or other nonsense on these boards in regard to his innocence or guilt since you plead guilty in your own words.  

  Of course, I am still awaiting myworld to come out of his hole in the ground and comment on what he was whining about in his blog.  Many people were saying the feds were wasting time on this witch hunt.  Looks like money well spent now.  That's okay Vick, you can always work at the homeless shelter since the IRS is going to take your house and the Commonwealth of Virginia is going to try you also.  Cry a tear in your cell you thug.

Of course there has to be more then one song and here are some songs for Michael “the felon” Vick.  They are in no certain order and feel free to add them as you go.

AC/DC - Dog eat dog

Pink Floyd  -  Dogs

Nazareth – Hair of the dog

Little Richard – Hound dog

Baha Men – Who let the dogs out

Elvis – You aint nothing but a hound dog

Two more I couldn’t resist (non-animal related) are:

Elvis – Jailhouse Rock

Meredith Brooks  - I’m a ####

Well, well, well.  Michael Vick’s other co-defendants are finally rolling over.  What, it took less then a month?  Yes, I received your “you are an ####” & “you suck #### because you are a Fed and are racially profiling” emails and just ignored you all.  Some wrote to “get off his #### and let the justice system decide;”and some wrote “what’s more important an animal life or a human and have we stooped that low?” 

It’s has been about a month give or take a few sleepless nights for Michael Vick and now, the other two co-defendants have decided to enter plea agreements.  Yet, we are still wrong for treating Vick with distain and disgust because of what we think of him now and his actions.  I was called everything but a man because I am a US Marshal and mentioned from the start that I thought his “buddies” would plea out.  Jai_Eazy came on board after I mentioned the process and how his life was altered once he was indicted.  Jai’s had his charges dropped after having his job taken from him and his whole life changed beyond repair. 

Jai, unlike Michael disassociated himself from the other defendants from the start.  Michael went across state lines, violated multiple federal, state and local laws and disregarded any heed to stop; even though he knew what he was doing was wrong.  He thought he was so sly, nothing could touch him because he had the endorsements and $130,000,000 to boot.  He was man enough to flip the Atlanta fans off with the middle finger.  Now, he seems to be more of a man than the other three co-defendants are.  On the other hand, is he more stupid or thinking we are just stupid?

Time can be the greatest ally or the most feared opponent.  He alone must face the burden of proving his innocence.  He has come out and had his lawyer prepare a statement (in his words) that proclaimed his innocence.  He insulted all his fans (that he had) and now is going to have to try to get a court of peers to find him innocent of the accusations.  The same court that understands his co-defendants have already pleaded out. 

Oh how things have changed in the course of a few weeks.  His partners in crime are realizing that all the status symbol Michael Vick gave them, the “New Kennelz Posse” has fallen apart, this is not a game, a pit bet, and Michael cannot buy his way out of this.  He said he did not know what was going on at his house, if you can believe that.  Of course, we may not understand what is happening in our house either.

The NFL commissioner is still investigating what recourse he has and in his statement, the gist of it says, that if he lied to the commissioner that is a violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy.  Maybe Vick is the only one of the four accused, err three, err two, and err one that still wants to defend himself with a jury of his peers.  What a paradoxical name that is now for him.  A jury of “peers!”  Considering the peers that Michael Vick has associated himself with since 2001 and if I were he, I would hope to be able to get the first draft in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary’s Fantasy Football Draft.  He had so much talent but was so short on common sense.