So, I'm at work the other day, just going through my daily routine. As usual, there's a TV on, but I'm doing my own thing and not really paying attention.
Slowly, though, as I'm organizing things, I begin to become aware of what's playing on the TV. It starts slowly, just a general awareness of the familiarity of the voice. It's a voice I've gotten quite good at ignoring. But it keeps going on and on and...
...suddenly it dawns on me...
...and all at once this full-blown thought enters my head. It's a question:
"Why is that idiot talking about Jim Brown?"
Then I give my head a shake, like a horse scattering flies, and head out to do some work.
I didn't find out until much later that Brown, Kanye West (I can't believe I just fucking typed that name) and some others visited the oval office for some reason.
I guess hearing that Brown was associating with the POTUS seemed odd. But then I thought, "How much do I really know about Brown?" The answer: besides the football, not much, really. I mean, he has a reputation for being an activist, and was an important symbol during the Civil Rights Movement in the '60s.
So I did a little reading.
To be brief:
I think that most of what I thought I knew about Jim Brown was just that; things I THOUGHT I knew. His glory days as a player are long since passed, so the media relies on boilerplate superlatives to describe him when his name comes up. You know how it goes; "The Legendary Jim Brown." Because of his association with the NFL, his achievements are highlighted, while his indiscretions are ignored or glossed over.
I mean, that's the NFL in a nutshell, isn't it?
Jameis Winston is making his first start of the season this week, after seeing his first action in Week Four off the bench. It's significant that he's starting this week, since, if the league had adhered to its own policy, he'd still be suspended, and only available to play next week. However, as I've mentioned numerous times before, he got a sweetheart three-game suspension in exchange for not appealing and making the story a bigger PR mess for the league (like Ezekiel Elliot and Jerry Jones did). Winston will probably have a good game against a bad Atlanta defence. His achievements will be highlighted, while his indiscretions will be ignored or glossed over.
That's the NFL in a nutshell.
So, don't be surprised, like I was, about Jim Brown cosying up to the POTUS. Sometimes, reputation is earned, and sometimes it's manufactured, but mostly, it's a bit of both.
On the bright side, Eric Reid, a good player who had been without a team since the end of last season (for highly suspect reasons) is back, and we have this:
Slowly, though, as I'm organizing things, I begin to become aware of what's playing on the TV. It starts slowly, just a general awareness of the familiarity of the voice. It's a voice I've gotten quite good at ignoring. But it keeps going on and on and...
...suddenly it dawns on me...
...and all at once this full-blown thought enters my head. It's a question:
"Why is that idiot talking about Jim Brown?"
Then I give my head a shake, like a horse scattering flies, and head out to do some work.
I didn't find out until much later that Brown, Kanye West (I can't believe I just fucking typed that name) and some others visited the oval office for some reason.
I guess hearing that Brown was associating with the POTUS seemed odd. But then I thought, "How much do I really know about Brown?" The answer: besides the football, not much, really. I mean, he has a reputation for being an activist, and was an important symbol during the Civil Rights Movement in the '60s.
So I did a little reading.
To be brief:
- he likes Trump
- he thinks Kaepernick is disrespecting the flag
- he has a disturbing history of violence against women
I think that most of what I thought I knew about Jim Brown was just that; things I THOUGHT I knew. His glory days as a player are long since passed, so the media relies on boilerplate superlatives to describe him when his name comes up. You know how it goes; "The Legendary Jim Brown." Because of his association with the NFL, his achievements are highlighted, while his indiscretions are ignored or glossed over.
I mean, that's the NFL in a nutshell, isn't it?
Jameis Winston is making his first start of the season this week, after seeing his first action in Week Four off the bench. It's significant that he's starting this week, since, if the league had adhered to its own policy, he'd still be suspended, and only available to play next week. However, as I've mentioned numerous times before, he got a sweetheart three-game suspension in exchange for not appealing and making the story a bigger PR mess for the league (like Ezekiel Elliot and Jerry Jones did). Winston will probably have a good game against a bad Atlanta defence. His achievements will be highlighted, while his indiscretions will be ignored or glossed over.
That's the NFL in a nutshell.
So, don't be surprised, like I was, about Jim Brown cosying up to the POTUS. Sometimes, reputation is earned, and sometimes it's manufactured, but mostly, it's a bit of both.
On the bright side, Eric Reid, a good player who had been without a team since the end of last season (for highly suspect reasons) is back, and we have this:
Like Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics, players like Reid are using their platform to shine a light on injustice, using their right to freedom of expression to try to spur real, positive change.
And now, the picks.
Winners in Bold
Sunday
Tampa at Atlanta
So maybe there is something to that whole thing about Atlanta's offence being lousy on grass. Well, they're back at home this week. Their defence will still be terrible because of all the injuries, but Tampa's defence is no great shakes either. For reasons that should be obvious, I'm really pulling for Atlanta in this one.
Carolina at Washington
Carolina got a good scare last week, so I expect them to buckle down on defence and give a better effort. This is one that Carolina should win.
Seattle at Jolly Olde Oaklande
Seattle has been showing some spark of late, and Russell Wilson is always dangerous. Oakland is bad, mostly because they don't have (can't afford) enough good players.
Indianapolis at NYJ
I've really been impressed with Andrew Luck, especially in Indy's loss last week. He's been really sharp, and continues to put out maximum effort even as the rest of the offence (particularly his receivers) has let him down. He's the biggest reason that I'm making this pick.
Arizona at Minnesota
Arizona is one of the worst teams in the league, while Minnesota really started to look like the contenders they're supposed to be last week against Philly. Picks like this are supposed to be obvious, but Buffalo thumped Minnesota, so you never know.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Cincy has looked pretty good this year, and even when they don't, like last week against Miami, they still find a way to win. They've shown character and resilience. There have been a lot of times in the past several seasons where it looked like Cincy was going to beat Pittsburgh, only to have Cincy self-destruct. I don't know why, but this time feels different to me. And Pittsburgh's offence shouldn't have as easy a time this week as it did against Atlanta last week.
LAC at Cleveland
Phillip Rivers has just been killing it this year. He's been really unlucky, with his team having a tough early schedule, and his with his receivers' spotty play. Everyone loves Cleveland since Mayfield took over. True, the team has a different energy now. I've liked this Bolts team since Week One, and that hasn't changed.
Buffalo at Houston
It's no secret that I think that Bill O'Brien is one of, if not the stupidest coaches in the league. So imagine my surprise to see his team win the last two games because the coach on the other sideline (Frank Reich, then Jason Garrett) out-stupided him in OT. I wonder if Sean McDermott can make it three in a row. I also wonder whether Deshaun Watson can survive much more of O'Brien's stupidity.
Chicago at Miami
Hard to say if Chicago can approach the offensive performance it put forth in its last game, but with the defence can keep playing the way it has, the offence won't have to be nearly as good to beat Miami. Note: Ryan Tannehill is listed as "Questionable" for this one.
LAR at Denver
Man, did Denver's defence stink last week in Baltimore. Just putrid. If they play like that this week, LA will dispatch them easily. Hell, LA might do that anyway.
Baltimore at Tennessee
Two tough defences. Two up-and-down offences. I'm going with the home team here, because I think Marcus Mariota can do more than Joe Flacco to make a difference in a close game.
Jacksonville at Dallas
What a disappointment Jacksonville was last week against Kansas City. I thought that any or all of the Jags' coaches could have been fired based on the game plan. I mean, consider this: playing against a defence that only really does one thing well, which is rush the passer, Jacksonville decided to implement an offensive game plan that relies heavily on Blake Bortles trying to make plays from the pocket. Dumb, right? Anyway, this game is more Jacksonville's speed. They're playing a Dallas team that is limited in what it can do on offence, and overall isn't as talented as Jacksonville. These are the only types of game you can count on a team to win when you know they can't rely on good coaching.
Sunday Night
Kansas City at New England
So, what does Bill Belichick want here? The last two times KC thumped his team, the Pats went to the big game in February. Of course, all that's in the past. What we have now is a very intriguing matchup. KC's offence has lots of weapons and is capable of scoring points quickly and in great numbers. New England's offence is starting to get going, as Brady all-of-a-sudden has a plethora of complementary offensive weapons at his disposal. As I mentioned earlier in the column, KC's defence only does one thing well, and its best pass-rusher, Justin Houston, is hurt. New England's offence should be able to take what KC's defence gives them, control the clock, and limit KC's possessions, and Belichick has had ten days to get his defence ready for this test. I hope that this is as good a game as I think it will be.
Monday Night
San Francisco at Green Bay
I'm sure that when the schedule came out, the powers-that-be at MNF were thrilled at the prospect of Garoppolo vs. Rodgers in prime time. Now Rodgers is hobbled, Green Bay is the same mess is is every year, Garopplo is toast, and San Fran is garbage. Wah-wahhhh...
And now, the picks.
Winners in Bold
Sunday
Tampa at Atlanta
So maybe there is something to that whole thing about Atlanta's offence being lousy on grass. Well, they're back at home this week. Their defence will still be terrible because of all the injuries, but Tampa's defence is no great shakes either. For reasons that should be obvious, I'm really pulling for Atlanta in this one.
Carolina at Washington
Carolina got a good scare last week, so I expect them to buckle down on defence and give a better effort. This is one that Carolina should win.
Seattle at Jolly Olde Oaklande
Seattle has been showing some spark of late, and Russell Wilson is always dangerous. Oakland is bad, mostly because they don't have (can't afford) enough good players.
Indianapolis at NYJ
I've really been impressed with Andrew Luck, especially in Indy's loss last week. He's been really sharp, and continues to put out maximum effort even as the rest of the offence (particularly his receivers) has let him down. He's the biggest reason that I'm making this pick.
Arizona at Minnesota
Arizona is one of the worst teams in the league, while Minnesota really started to look like the contenders they're supposed to be last week against Philly. Picks like this are supposed to be obvious, but Buffalo thumped Minnesota, so you never know.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Cincy has looked pretty good this year, and even when they don't, like last week against Miami, they still find a way to win. They've shown character and resilience. There have been a lot of times in the past several seasons where it looked like Cincy was going to beat Pittsburgh, only to have Cincy self-destruct. I don't know why, but this time feels different to me. And Pittsburgh's offence shouldn't have as easy a time this week as it did against Atlanta last week.
LAC at Cleveland
Phillip Rivers has just been killing it this year. He's been really unlucky, with his team having a tough early schedule, and his with his receivers' spotty play. Everyone loves Cleveland since Mayfield took over. True, the team has a different energy now. I've liked this Bolts team since Week One, and that hasn't changed.
Buffalo at Houston
It's no secret that I think that Bill O'Brien is one of, if not the stupidest coaches in the league. So imagine my surprise to see his team win the last two games because the coach on the other sideline (Frank Reich, then Jason Garrett) out-stupided him in OT. I wonder if Sean McDermott can make it three in a row. I also wonder whether Deshaun Watson can survive much more of O'Brien's stupidity.
Chicago at Miami
Hard to say if Chicago can approach the offensive performance it put forth in its last game, but with the defence can keep playing the way it has, the offence won't have to be nearly as good to beat Miami. Note: Ryan Tannehill is listed as "Questionable" for this one.
LAR at Denver
Man, did Denver's defence stink last week in Baltimore. Just putrid. If they play like that this week, LA will dispatch them easily. Hell, LA might do that anyway.
Baltimore at Tennessee
Two tough defences. Two up-and-down offences. I'm going with the home team here, because I think Marcus Mariota can do more than Joe Flacco to make a difference in a close game.
Jacksonville at Dallas
What a disappointment Jacksonville was last week against Kansas City. I thought that any or all of the Jags' coaches could have been fired based on the game plan. I mean, consider this: playing against a defence that only really does one thing well, which is rush the passer, Jacksonville decided to implement an offensive game plan that relies heavily on Blake Bortles trying to make plays from the pocket. Dumb, right? Anyway, this game is more Jacksonville's speed. They're playing a Dallas team that is limited in what it can do on offence, and overall isn't as talented as Jacksonville. These are the only types of game you can count on a team to win when you know they can't rely on good coaching.
Sunday Night
Kansas City at New England
So, what does Bill Belichick want here? The last two times KC thumped his team, the Pats went to the big game in February. Of course, all that's in the past. What we have now is a very intriguing matchup. KC's offence has lots of weapons and is capable of scoring points quickly and in great numbers. New England's offence is starting to get going, as Brady all-of-a-sudden has a plethora of complementary offensive weapons at his disposal. As I mentioned earlier in the column, KC's defence only does one thing well, and its best pass-rusher, Justin Houston, is hurt. New England's offence should be able to take what KC's defence gives them, control the clock, and limit KC's possessions, and Belichick has had ten days to get his defence ready for this test. I hope that this is as good a game as I think it will be.
Monday Night
San Francisco at Green Bay
I'm sure that when the schedule came out, the powers-that-be at MNF were thrilled at the prospect of Garoppolo vs. Rodgers in prime time. Now Rodgers is hobbled, Green Bay is the same mess is is every year, Garopplo is toast, and San Fran is garbage. Wah-wahhhh...
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