I am not one to believe I am wrong too often. Honestly, I’m pretty self-righteous, so when I begin prognosticating, I’m putting a bit on the line… and the following teams, players, and twists of fate have already ruined it for me…

1) The Patriots. OK, they can be shady. I’m not surprised. I don’t think it’s an uncommon issue in the NFL, and I don’t like it. I also question their treatment of the team itself… I’ve always said Belichick creeped me out. But I also said that I questioned the Pats ability to gel as a team and play as well as they seemed able on paper. I was wrong. Beating the Jets was one thing, but the way they shut down and burned up the Chargers was another. I hate them, but they are a team to beat.

2) The Saints. Granted, it’s only week 2, and it is not the time to declare anyone dead in the water, but I now question my own sanity in picking them to go all the way to the Super Bowl and… win. It’s not that I don’t consider them still capable, it’s just I’m horribly dismayed by the terrible play of an “improved” defense, and the short, conservative approach taken earlier in the game. That’s not what propelled them so far last year. If they don’t start picking it up and playing like a team on a mission, they will leave many people looking stupid.

3) The Falcons. This might have been more wishful thinking, but I really wanted Joey to do well. I really wanted the Falcons to do well. I really thought they might actually do… OK. Now, not only will they make me look silly for picking them to do well, but also because I picked Tennessee and Minnesota to be the worst…

4) Steven Jackson: During my fantasy drafts, Jackson was listed as my #2 selection. He looks lost and vulnerable out there, and with Pace out, I’m suddenly relieved that of my many FF leagues, I never got to draft second.

5) The NFC. I still don’t believe the NFC on the whole is on par with the AFC. It’s just, within the NFC, my rankings were all upside-down, it seems. Darn them.

But there is a silver lining, folks. I’m not wrong all the time. Here’s why…

1) Carson Palmer. I said he would come back to full strength, and the offense would take off in Cincinnati again. I was right. I just didn’t foresee the defense being “give up 51 points to the Browns” bad.

2) The Panthers. I said with a healthy Steve Smith, Delhomme would look good again, and they could make themselves into players in the NFC… which brings us to…

3) The Texans. Looks like Kubs finally has a team this year… and they could rule the NFC. Too bad about not being in there… Still, don’t be surprised if they make waves this year.

4) I said Culpepper would be a great mentor for JaMarcus Russell. If nothing else, it seems like they can share a lot of quality bench time together.

5) I said Denver would be the top of the AFC West… and this week, they are. This may change, as people are quick to point out that last second field goals against so-so teams are not a good sign, and I would sort of agree. Except that I remember many a year where Denver did not play at their own level, but at the level of their opposition. Conservative game play was opted for over putting a team away, and errors could nearly take the game out of their hands. It’s not good for a guy with high blood pressure to watch this sort of thing. But, as the trite saying goes, “A win is a win”. And for anyone claiming Shannahan cheated, it’s called “icing the kicker”, and it’s one of the oldest coaches’ tricks. And for the record, that game proved another part of my season predictions. The Raiders are going to be better than anyone thinks.

So, I was planning on my next post being about my second round draft selection advice, but sadly, there have been two major knocks against it.

1. No one commented on the first one, and I, like many other bloggers, am an attention #### and my feelings are hurt. Forget the fact that I'm right and being very helpful. I need feedback.

2. I have entered an NFL fantasy league with some fellow Fox bloggers, and posting my second round list seems foolish until after our draft next week.

So, instead, I will commit myself to the topics of the week and try to be quick about it...

First off... Vick. I don't want to blog about Vick. I said he was going to jail. I said prison will make him a fantasy bust. Now he's been snagged by the feds, and the flurry of responses has come, and for now, nearly went... BUT...

I do have to say people amaze me. I've seen, read, and heard people all week make outrageous claims. Some have advocated Vick receive the same treatment as those dogs... really people? Look, what he did was horrible, but take a look around your major cities and surrounding suburbs. You'll find a dog fight if you want one.

In Denver, there was a city-wide ban placed on pitbulls, and many of our surrounding areas have followed suit. Just last week, a pitbull went mad, attacked a grandmother and her grandchildren, and only went down after being stabbed a dozen times and shot twice. I have a co-worker now who wants Vick to be tortured for his mistreatment of these animals, and the breed destroyed outright. Very humane.

I think Vick should go to jail, but when the outcries occurr and people take it on themselves to be the voice of justice, I only ask that you take some time to realize the difference between an #### breaking the law and a hero falling. The difference? You made him a hero in your own head.

Second up on my list is more of a 1 part 2. Goddell is ridiculous. Only now does he offer to wait to put in league penalties until the courts can sort things out. Are you kidding me? A precident has been set, and I warned in an earlier blog of mine the dangers that can happen when a private company starts dispensing it's own justice. Yes, the other feature names in this are "repeat offenders", but only in as much as Vick. Tank Johnson did his time. Pacman has yet to be convicted of anything. Henry tested clean. This amounts to about as much as posessing and transporting an illeagal substance and running a compound (which is certain, the rest... let the courts decide) where vicious crimes were authorized and took place. I said earlier that I think the league shouldn't be allowed to enforce suspensions until after a court makes a ruling, and this is why. Guys who may or may not be guilty of something are being punished as an example, while other stars in more key (marketing) positions get the benefit of the doubt. There is no lesson learned now. It's a joke, and it's already too late to claim that lost ground of moral superiority.

Third... I also recently posted about Culpepper looking for a new home. Well, I had hoped the Dolphins would have been smart enough to at least get something for the guy, but no such luck. Now, Culpepper should have the advantage in choosing a new home. I was most excited when a fox columnist went along with 4 of my 5 suggestions (somehow leaving the Vikes out... appartently, pride does cost a lot in this league, but then Daunte had his first meeting with a possible team to land on. The Raiders? The Falcons? The Titans? The Bears? The Jets? NO!! In a feat beyond all unstanding, he interviewed with the BUCS? You're joking, right? Let me count... 1...2...3... sort of 4... 4 QBs currently listed on their roster who have experience as starters, and now you want to add Culpepper? WHY? He'll only back up Garcia. Along with Simms, Gradkowski, maybe Plummer and Luke McCown playing on the practice squad. Why would you go there in a season where you have EVERYTHING TO PROVE?!?! Who is this man's agent?

Anyway, I'm spent. I have to go think long and hard about my draft next week. For my fellow Fox Blogger Fantasy Leaguers, do your homework. Draft is coming soon!!!