1: Baltimore Ravens - They certainly didn't prove that they deserve to drop from my top spot. They manhandled the Browns this week.
2: New York Jets - They did well to come back after blowing a big lead. That defense is phenomenal, and that's what it takes to win.
3: New Orleans Saints - They looked sluggish before putting up 17 points in the 4th quarter to seal the deal. They move up because their defense is starting to look good. Uh-oh, NFC.
4: New York Giants - Maybe they're a better team than 4th in the league. They made it look easy against a hapless Tampa Bay team. I still wonder about their secondary, though. Plus, I just plain don't like them. Never have.
5: Indianapolis Colts - These guys made Arizona look silly at home on Monday night. I was reminded of just how scary good Peyton Manning is.
6: Philadelphia Eagles - The dominated the Chiefs. That isn't particularly hard to do, but I feel more comfortable moving them up after seeing two pretty impressive weeks out of Kevin Kolb.
7: Minnesota Vikings - They probably deserved to lose that game. Can someone please explain to me why they came out throwing? At least they showed they can when when Adrian Peterson is more or less neutralized by a surprisingly good 49ers team.
8: New England Patriots - They had a tough opponent this week and handled it well. Their run defense looked a lot better. Tom Brady still doesn't look quite the same. The receivers weren't as stellar as usual. They'll be happy to have Wes Welker back.
9: Atlanta Falcons - They went on the road and lost to the New England Patriots. I'll give them a mulligan for that one. They really didn't play that poorly...
10: Denver Broncos - They look worthy of a top 5 spot so far. They are playing great defense and protecting the ball well on offense. The only thing keeping them down at number 10 is their underwhelming strength of schedule thus far.
11: San Francisco 49ers - They deserved to win that game. They contained Adrian Peterson, made Brett Favre look old, and Shaun Hill had a pretty good day throwing to make up for Frank Gore's injury.
12: San Diego Chargers - They looked pretty good this week. Philip Rivers can get it done without a running game. They may be a bit concerned with having to settle for all those field goals when they get down near the end zone. Those should be touchdowns.
13: Cincinnati Bengals - These guys may be for real. They didn't look great against a tough Steelers team, but they got the job done. Carson Palmer's health is the key for the season.
14: Dallas Cowboys - They beat the Panthers, but looked pretty ugly in doing so the first half. So far this year, they just haven't been that impressive.
15: Pittsburgh Steelers - How bad do they miss Troy Polamalu? The defense has given up too many uncharacteristic game-winning drives. They've got to clamp down on those. Giving up 2 fourth down conversions on that final one this week stings.
16: Chicago Bears - Jay Cutler is settling in and playing well. As long as he avoids his turnover habits, they will win plenty of games.
17: Jacksonville Jaguars - The defense still doesn't look too good, but they found a way to bear down and hold on for the win. Maurice Jones-Drew is where it's at.
18: Green Bay Packers - They made plays when they needed to, and Aaron Rodgers had a pretty good day, but they just didn't look as in control of the Rams as they would have liked to have been. We'll find out if these guys are for real or not next week against the Vikings. Watch out, Favre.
19: Houston Texans - The offense is playing pretty well, and they managed to get the running game going this week. The defense completely sucks.
20: Tennessee Titans - I hate to rank them this low, but at 0-3, it's tough to cut them much slack. Kerry Collins wasn't very good, and the defense just isn't as physical as it was last year. The 4th quarter of that game was awful.
21: Arizona Cardinals - The Colts made them look pretty bad. They are starting to look like the Cardinals from last year (the defense isn't stopping much).
22: Buffalo Bills - They hung around for awhile, but imploded at the end. The offense really should have put up better numbers against the Saints. This team seems to be plagued with bad luck of every kind.
23: Miami Dolphins - This is another team that I'm surprised is 0-3. The passing game was sickly this week, but they continue to run the ball fairly well. They just look all out of sorts.
24: Carolina Panthers - They played well in the first half, but the defense let them down in the second, with the Cowboys running for almost 200 yards. Jake Delhomme simply isn't effective enough throwing the football for them to play catch-up all the time.
25: Seattle Seahawks - Seneca Wallace didn't look too bad, especially in the start. Olindo Mare is the goat, missing 2 field goals. The pass defense looked pretty bad. Getting Hasselbeck back should help them out.
26: Detroit Lions - VICTORY!! I thought they were going to give it up towards the end, but they held on. The defense needs some work still, but they finally seem like a competent football team.
27: Washington Redskins - How bad does it feel to be the first team the Lions beat in two years? They move the ball well, but don't score enough. The defense isn't as dominate as they thought it would be, plus Albert "$100 Million" Haynesworth is hurt.
28: Kansas City Chiefs - 0-11 on third down conversions is the critical stat of the week. Cassel needs to throw down field more. More importantly, he needs more protection. The Eagles harassed him all day. Larry Johnson is a nonfactor.
29: Oakland Raiders - Is there a worse starting quarterback out there than JaMarcus Russell? Everything they did out there was terrible. McFadden fumbled 3 times, and Russell had a grand total of 1 passing yard in the entire second half.
30: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Here's another team that can't figure anything out. They couldn't run the ball, they couldn't pass the ball, they couldn't stop the run, and they couldn't stop the pass. That's how you get shutout.
31: St. Louis Rams - Kyle Boller looked not-too-shabby, and Steven Jackson was productive. They still simply don't have enough talent to compete.
32: Cleveland Browns - Holy smokes. Brady Quinn gets benched, so what does Derek Anderson do? Throws 3 picks in 25 minutes. This team has issues at every position. It is going to be a long year in the Dawg Pound.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Human Jumbotron
This was Today's Big Thing today or yesterday. I forget. The days are all kind of a blur. But it's nuts. Crazy Koreans.
Foam City
Anybody remember this Sony ad from awhile ago? If you don't, it's one of the most awesome things ever.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Informant!
I saw it tonight. It was pretty good, I thought. It wasn't quite as funny as I was expecting, yet sufficiently funny. It was one of those movies that you thought should end long before it did--but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, because it kept you guessing. Some movies (like The Benchwarmers) have no point after a short time, and feel like they should be done, but have a ton of filler just thrown on the end. Everything on the end in this one seemed necessary. Plus, I think Matt Damon is good.
Where the Wild Things Are
I know this video is kind of old, but at the same time, it isn't really dated. I'm pretty excited for this movie. It looks like the coolest thing ever. Plus, Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is credited with the soundtrack, so that should be interesting/awesome. The background track in this video gives a faint hint as to what it is going to sound like. I think she can make this whole playful/terrifying thing work about as well as anyone.
Plus, in the trailer, the song choice with the Arcade Fire works perfectly.
It's out in less than a month!
Plus, in the trailer, the song choice with the Arcade Fire works perfectly.
It's out in less than a month!
NFL Week 2 Power Rankings
What a mess. Teams we thought looked bad last week looked good this week. Teams we thought looked good last week didn't look so hot this week. A lot of my predictions from earlier this year may not be true any more. I think this is going to continue to be tough to sort out for at least a few more weeks. Then things should settle into place.
1: Baltimore Ravens - Got a great road victory against what is supposed to be a very good Chargers team. The defense is dominant, and the offense has really come alive this year.
2: New York Jets - That was impressive. I think their defense is for real, and Mark Sanchez has proven to be effective. They are also running the ball well. Remember when we were all saying the Jets were going to go to the Super Bowl at the beginning of last year? This year's unit looks much improved.
3: New Orleans Saints - I don't care how many yards their defense gives up, they are still able to force turnovers. Besides, Brees and co. can keep pace with any team in the NFL.
4: New York Giants - Mario Manningham may be the missing piece to this team. There is a lot of talent and a great coaching staff. Eli Manning has already shown he has what it takes to win.
5: Atlanta Falcons - Another team I'm very impressed with. Matt Ryan looks like he's been doing this for years, Michael Turner is a constant threat, and the defense is playing well.
6: Indianapolis Colts - They gave up a ton of passing yards, but Peyton Manning will continue to be among the best in the business for a long time. The guy just wins.
7: Minnesota Vikings - They started out sluggish, but picked it up. They definitely have the talent to push for a Super Bowl, and have been doing everything right so far...
8: Pittsburgh Steelers - They still haven't found a way to run the ball, which is really holding them back. Something has to be done about that offensive line.
9: New England Patriots - Tom Brady doesn't look quite the same, and the losses of Jerod Mayo and Richard Seymour are showing more than we thought they would. Nevertheless, they still have Brady and Belichick. I'll bet money they get it figured out in a hurry. Next week we'll find out just how good both they and Atlanta are when they duke it out.
10: Dallas Cowboys - Not a bad showing against the Giants. Romo is looking fine without TO. The defense may be a concern, however. They aren't getting enough pressure and forcing mistakes.
11: Houston Texans - I wrote them off as losers last week. But now I'm thinking maybe the Jets were just that good. They certainly looked much better against the Titans. They need to find a way to cut down on the big plays on defense though. Chris Johnson destroyed them.
12: Tennessee Titans - What happened to that pass defense? They aren't generating enough pressure up front, and it's hurting. Maybe they do miss Jim Schwartz and Albert Haynesworth. At least they know they can run the ball well.
13: Denver Broncos - Here is another team that just may be for real. For all the bad Josh McDaniels did in the offseason, he's got his team playing pretty well right now. I don't think the Browns were much of an opponent, but maybe the Bengals were for real. Orton is doing what he does best: controlling the ball.
14: San Francisco 49ers - Michael who? They don't appear to be missing Crabtree right now, which sucks for him and his leveraging of the offer. The defense is playing well and Frank Gore is back to his 2006 form. Mike Singletary has really toughened these guys up.
15: Philadelphia Eagles - Injuries are killing this talented team. The defense didn't offer any resistance to the Saints' high-powered offense. Vick comes back soon, so we should see some better offense. Until McNabb comes back, though, this team is just average.
16: Chicago Bears - They knocked off the defending champs, which says something. I still don't trust Jay Cutler to protect the football. Especially when they are struggling so much in the running game.
17: Green Bay Packers - That didn't look good at all. The offensive line had a lot of trouble keeping the Bengals off of Aaron Rodgers. They looked almost the complete opposite of last week. They need to be more consistent.
18: Arizona Cardinals - Kurt Warner looked good, setting a single-game completion percentage record, going 24-26. That's reassuring. But last week's loss looms large in my mind still. I'm going to wait a couple more weeks to see which is the true Arizona Cardinals.
19: San Diego Chargers - Injuries are plaguing this team too. They just haven't looked that impressive yet, barely beating the Raiders, then losing to a good Ravens team. Rivers threw for over 400 yards, and they still lost. That isn't good.
20: Miami Dolphins - They aren't looking bad by any means, but they are still 0-2. They ran the ball well, and controlled the clock, which will normally win you games. You just can't give the ball to Peyton Manning with 3:00 left when you are only up by a field goal. Late-game drives are what he does best.
21: Cincinnati Bengals - I can't tell if this team is for real or not. Cedric Benson has looked good, and the defense was able to get a lot of pressure on Aaron Rodgers. But, then again, these are the Bungles we're talking about.
22: Buffalo Bills - They haven't been playing bad by any means. Injuries have hurt them, and I simply don't like that TO is on their team. I have a feeling he's going to ruin both Dick Jauron and Trent Edwards. Fred Jackson looks good, though, doesn't he?
23: Carolina Panthers - They shaped it up a lot better after last week (particularly Jake Delhomme's play) but they are still 0-2. Something about this team doesn't look right to me, and I think they will continue to hover near the bottom of the NFC.
24: Washington Redskins - Ugh. This is a team with plenty of talent that just can't seem to get off the ground. Their offense is stagnant.
25: Seattle Seahawks - I've been saying it all along. Hasselbeck would get hurt early again this year...and here he is with a broken rib. Seneca Wallace just doesn't have the skills to carry this team, as we saw last year, and he will have no shot if the defense doesn't tighten things up. They couldn't tackle my 2-year old sister.
26: Jacksonville Jaguars - This team looks a lot like it did last year. That isn't a good thing. Garrard isn't making plays, and neither is the defense. Who does that leave? Tiny, fragile little Maurice Jones-Drew. The guy is talented, but he needs help.
27: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Losing Monte Kiffin hurts bad. The defense can't stop anyone. On the plus side, I think the offense can have a very nice year. They're going to have to if they want to make up for all the points the defense is going to hemorrhage.
28: Oakland Raiders - They won, but they didn't deserve to. They have a lot of individual talents, but they all don't add up to a whole. JaMarcus Russell just isn't very good.
29: Kansas City Chiefs - This team has played pretty well in both of their first two weeks, but they just can't seem to finish it off. Matt Cassel looked just okay in his first game. They'll get better as they mature.
30: Detroit Lions - They started off the game well, but let it go. I think this team is going to win a few games this year. They drew the long stick having to face the Saints and the Vikings in their first two weeks. Stafford will improve.
31: Cleveland Browns - This team is u-g-l-y. They have the exact same problem as last year: no offense.
32: St. Louis Rams - A little better, but still leprosy team.
1: Baltimore Ravens - Got a great road victory against what is supposed to be a very good Chargers team. The defense is dominant, and the offense has really come alive this year.
2: New York Jets - That was impressive. I think their defense is for real, and Mark Sanchez has proven to be effective. They are also running the ball well. Remember when we were all saying the Jets were going to go to the Super Bowl at the beginning of last year? This year's unit looks much improved.
3: New Orleans Saints - I don't care how many yards their defense gives up, they are still able to force turnovers. Besides, Brees and co. can keep pace with any team in the NFL.
4: New York Giants - Mario Manningham may be the missing piece to this team. There is a lot of talent and a great coaching staff. Eli Manning has already shown he has what it takes to win.
5: Atlanta Falcons - Another team I'm very impressed with. Matt Ryan looks like he's been doing this for years, Michael Turner is a constant threat, and the defense is playing well.
6: Indianapolis Colts - They gave up a ton of passing yards, but Peyton Manning will continue to be among the best in the business for a long time. The guy just wins.
7: Minnesota Vikings - They started out sluggish, but picked it up. They definitely have the talent to push for a Super Bowl, and have been doing everything right so far...
8: Pittsburgh Steelers - They still haven't found a way to run the ball, which is really holding them back. Something has to be done about that offensive line.
9: New England Patriots - Tom Brady doesn't look quite the same, and the losses of Jerod Mayo and Richard Seymour are showing more than we thought they would. Nevertheless, they still have Brady and Belichick. I'll bet money they get it figured out in a hurry. Next week we'll find out just how good both they and Atlanta are when they duke it out.
10: Dallas Cowboys - Not a bad showing against the Giants. Romo is looking fine without TO. The defense may be a concern, however. They aren't getting enough pressure and forcing mistakes.
11: Houston Texans - I wrote them off as losers last week. But now I'm thinking maybe the Jets were just that good. They certainly looked much better against the Titans. They need to find a way to cut down on the big plays on defense though. Chris Johnson destroyed them.
12: Tennessee Titans - What happened to that pass defense? They aren't generating enough pressure up front, and it's hurting. Maybe they do miss Jim Schwartz and Albert Haynesworth. At least they know they can run the ball well.
13: Denver Broncos - Here is another team that just may be for real. For all the bad Josh McDaniels did in the offseason, he's got his team playing pretty well right now. I don't think the Browns were much of an opponent, but maybe the Bengals were for real. Orton is doing what he does best: controlling the ball.
14: San Francisco 49ers - Michael who? They don't appear to be missing Crabtree right now, which sucks for him and his leveraging of the offer. The defense is playing well and Frank Gore is back to his 2006 form. Mike Singletary has really toughened these guys up.
15: Philadelphia Eagles - Injuries are killing this talented team. The defense didn't offer any resistance to the Saints' high-powered offense. Vick comes back soon, so we should see some better offense. Until McNabb comes back, though, this team is just average.
16: Chicago Bears - They knocked off the defending champs, which says something. I still don't trust Jay Cutler to protect the football. Especially when they are struggling so much in the running game.
17: Green Bay Packers - That didn't look good at all. The offensive line had a lot of trouble keeping the Bengals off of Aaron Rodgers. They looked almost the complete opposite of last week. They need to be more consistent.
18: Arizona Cardinals - Kurt Warner looked good, setting a single-game completion percentage record, going 24-26. That's reassuring. But last week's loss looms large in my mind still. I'm going to wait a couple more weeks to see which is the true Arizona Cardinals.
19: San Diego Chargers - Injuries are plaguing this team too. They just haven't looked that impressive yet, barely beating the Raiders, then losing to a good Ravens team. Rivers threw for over 400 yards, and they still lost. That isn't good.
20: Miami Dolphins - They aren't looking bad by any means, but they are still 0-2. They ran the ball well, and controlled the clock, which will normally win you games. You just can't give the ball to Peyton Manning with 3:00 left when you are only up by a field goal. Late-game drives are what he does best.
21: Cincinnati Bengals - I can't tell if this team is for real or not. Cedric Benson has looked good, and the defense was able to get a lot of pressure on Aaron Rodgers. But, then again, these are the Bungles we're talking about.
22: Buffalo Bills - They haven't been playing bad by any means. Injuries have hurt them, and I simply don't like that TO is on their team. I have a feeling he's going to ruin both Dick Jauron and Trent Edwards. Fred Jackson looks good, though, doesn't he?
23: Carolina Panthers - They shaped it up a lot better after last week (particularly Jake Delhomme's play) but they are still 0-2. Something about this team doesn't look right to me, and I think they will continue to hover near the bottom of the NFC.
24: Washington Redskins - Ugh. This is a team with plenty of talent that just can't seem to get off the ground. Their offense is stagnant.
25: Seattle Seahawks - I've been saying it all along. Hasselbeck would get hurt early again this year...and here he is with a broken rib. Seneca Wallace just doesn't have the skills to carry this team, as we saw last year, and he will have no shot if the defense doesn't tighten things up. They couldn't tackle my 2-year old sister.
26: Jacksonville Jaguars - This team looks a lot like it did last year. That isn't a good thing. Garrard isn't making plays, and neither is the defense. Who does that leave? Tiny, fragile little Maurice Jones-Drew. The guy is talented, but he needs help.
27: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Losing Monte Kiffin hurts bad. The defense can't stop anyone. On the plus side, I think the offense can have a very nice year. They're going to have to if they want to make up for all the points the defense is going to hemorrhage.
28: Oakland Raiders - They won, but they didn't deserve to. They have a lot of individual talents, but they all don't add up to a whole. JaMarcus Russell just isn't very good.
29: Kansas City Chiefs - This team has played pretty well in both of their first two weeks, but they just can't seem to finish it off. Matt Cassel looked just okay in his first game. They'll get better as they mature.
30: Detroit Lions - They started off the game well, but let it go. I think this team is going to win a few games this year. They drew the long stick having to face the Saints and the Vikings in their first two weeks. Stafford will improve.
31: Cleveland Browns - This team is u-g-l-y. They have the exact same problem as last year: no offense.
32: St. Louis Rams - A little better, but still leprosy team.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Midnght Special
Sometimes I wish I was alive in the 70s, so I could maybe perhaps see a band like Steely Dan in concert. Seriously. Everything about this video claims victory: musicality, fashion, facial hair, regular hair, stage presence...
I wish bands played music like this today. Maybe one day I'll be in a 70s rock band...
I wish bands played music like this today. Maybe one day I'll be in a 70s rock band...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
