Tag Archives: NFL< week one

Opening the NFL season on a day like today is always tumultuous.
Regardless of how it plays out the entire nations attention will be
focused on commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Where does sports fit in?  Think back to where sports fit in days
after 9/11.  The nation needed something to occupy their minds so it
wouldn’t be completely wrapped up in mourning and fear as a result of
the attacks.

Sports became the natural antidote. A remedy already for the everyday
9-5 worker to get their minds off their lives, hardships, bills, and
every other concern for three hours almost every night,  so why
couldn’t sports serve the same function?  I distinctly remember the
Mets and Braves playing each other and getting the feeling that the
game didn’t have any meaning. The mets were irrelevant in the playoff
chase at that point but as soon as the game started the feeling was
growing that if The Mets should ever win ONE game it should be this
game.

The Mets, and their best player Mike Piazza, saved the best for last.
In the 8th inning with the Mets down a run, Piazza stepped to the
plate with a runner on and well, you don’t need to be a sappy movie
connoisseur to know how it ended:  he hit a towering 2 run homerun.

Up to that point at only two points in my life had I seen that many
American flags waving: Wrestlemania 8 when Hulk Hogan beat Sgt
Slaughter and Super Bowl 25 when the Giants beat the Bills and Whitney
Houston sang the most riveting version of “the Star Spangled Banner”
that will ever be performed live.*
*= there are stories circulating that Whitney lip synched it but for
what it’s worth, I’d rather preserve a lie than believe the truth here
if that’s ok with you.

As Piazza circled the bases you saw people cheering, wiping tears from
their eyes and waving their flags. It was beyond any experience of
patriotism I had ever felt. Shea stadium rocked like Mookie Wilson hit
a dribbler that went underneath Buckner!!

The Mets went on to win and that baseball playoffs were memorable.
That was the year that Jeter made the play in Oakland. The year that
Byung Yung Kim couldn’t close out a World Series game. When Mr.
November was born and Yankee stadium shook. The one year that I wanted
the Yankees to win and yet somehow the immortal Mariano Rivera
couldn’t close out Game 7 of the World Series and they were beaten on
a bloop hit. It was a tough spiritual reminder that New York was
capable of recovering and fighting back but there was still the
inevitable carnage an destruction left to face. It was difficult but
life isn’t with it’s funny stories like a team named the Patriots
winning the Super Bowl that year.  Led by an unknown 6th round draft
pick named Tom Brady. Wasn’t that the perfect symbolism of the
American dream?  A nobody becomes a somebody?

Somehow America has survived over the last decade without completely
tearing itself apart from growing paranoia of a followup attack which
was promised by the terrorists. Sports has always been in the
forefront of that comeback. That return to normalcy that no one on the
other side wants us to return to.

I say, despite all that hinders us as a people from enjoying any of
the days following 9/11, the important thing to remember is this:
sports is more important on this day, the 10 year anniversary of such
a tragic event to show the terrorists that we as a people will not
live in fear. That we will continue to live our everyday living life
to it’s fullest.  Not bound by the sad images of that day but
strengthened by the unity that we as a people will exhibit. Today is
not a day to mourn. It is a day to stand together and pay respect to
the thousands that lost their lives doing their jobs and living their
life. For those that sacrificed everything trying to escape and those
that gave everything trying to rescue even one person from sure death.
9/11 should never leave our memory, nor the people that lost their
lives and the families that lost loved ones, but it shouldn’t make us
NOT live and go on. America is the land of the free, and on this day
more than ever, that’s how we should live.

On that somber note let’s look at the lines:

Steelers (+1.5) over RAVENS-  like I said in my previous prediction
column I believe the away team will win both of these games. Ray Rice
is going to have a HUGE year.

Lions (+1) over BUCS-  I’m not saying that I don’t believe in the BUCS
who clearly have a lot of talent on that roster, I just think that
highly of the Lions this year. I can’t wait for Lagarrete Blount meets
Ndamkung Suh and Suh bodyslams him. Let’s see if Mr Blount is sincere
about having hanged his ways.

Falcons (-2) over BEARS-  I tend to agree with the sports geeks who
spit stats it proving Chicago rode a ton of luck all the way to a 13-3
record and alot of unwarranted respect despite a line that, in the
words of Bart Scott, couldn’t stop a nosebleed.  I’m a believer in
regular season Matt Ryan. I also am a faithful follower of his on a
fantasy front so here’s to the hope that he will throw a ton of TD’s.

Bills (+5.5) over CHIEFS-  I get that people are high on the Chiefs
especially in that AFC West but I like what Buffalo did to it’s
roster. I love what they will do offensively by spreading it out an
I’m high on Ryan Fitzpatrick. Call me crazy Buffalo, but you got
something cooking up there.  No Tony Moeaki is a huge blow to a team
that was poised to feature him this year.

TEXANS (-9) over Colts-  Two communities mourned the uncertain news of
Peyton Manning’s neck surgery: the NFL and it’s fan base and the
fantasy community. Matt berry in his draft day manifesto preached
taking certainty in the first few rounds over hemmig and hawing over
guys who MIGHT  have a good year.  Peyton was one of those
certainties. Now, his career is in jeopardy and the NFL is on the cusp
of losing one of it’s golden eggs. Sad day for the NFL and a sad day
for opening day when Peyton isnt starting in an NFL game.

Eagles (-4) over RAMS-  as much as I believe that this season will not
play out the way iggle fans hope, I think today won’t bs that day.
Vick and co will put up enough points to win this game and cover the
spread.

BROWNS (-6.5) over Bengals- tough for me to pick a rookie QB coming
into the Dawg Pound into his first start on Opening Weekend. I would
start Colt McCoy if you had him in your fantasy leagues.

Titans (-1) over JAGS- Minus David Garrard, plus Chris Johnson- no need for math majors to figure this one out.
Giants (-2.5) over REDSKINS- as much as many want to bury the Giants
as fate has dealt then several repeated blows to a defense that was
supposed to carry them, I don’t see them fallen apart. And it
certainly won’t be the Redskins that will deal the first blow of the
season.

Panthers (+6.5) over CARDS-  what’s with the talks of Carolina’s
immediate demise?  The Panthers still have a solid defense, solid
running game and a decent offensive line. All elements of a good team
capable of guiding a young, yet talented QB. I’m very high on the
young Newton.

49ers (-5.5) over the Seahawks-  I may pick against the Hawks every
game this year.

CHARGERS (-8.5) over Vikings-  I’m going out on a limb and say that
the Vikes will struggle this year.

Cowboys (+6.5) over JETS-  I think the Jets will win this game, but
the Boys are going to be good. But the emotion and supercharged
atmosphere will guide the Jets through.

Patriots (-7) over the DOLPHINS
RAIDERS (+3) over Broncos