Brandon’s Take on the NFL: Week 6

Will Jim Zorn remain the Redskins Head Coach through this season?

Zorn is a dead man walking in Washington D.C. and this situation keeps getting worse. Before landing with the Redskins, Zorn had never been a head coach and it’s becoming obvious that he won’t be a head coach beyond the bye week; unless the Redskins win their next two games (Week 6: Chiefs, Week 7: Eagles). Whether the team wins one of their upcoming games, a coaching change needs to happen in Washington and here’s why:

Every team Washington has played in 2009 has had 0 wins: Redskins record: 2-3.

Washington’s record through the past 14 games: 4-10, points per game 12.3

This franchise is lifeless and has no chance to win with Zorn as coach.  The team is very talented, but has never come close to reaching fruition.  Redskins’ owner Daniel Snyder has never been known for patience with coaches and has fired far better than Zorn will ever be.  While it’s never good to displace a head coach in the middle of the season, this change needs to happen now.

Should Rush Limbaugh be able to purchase the Rams franchise?

Absolutely.  If he has enough money to make it happen, then nobody should stand in his way.  While Limbaugh’s past comments about Donovan McNabb are racially insensitive, he was harshly criticized (and rightfully so) and unceremoniously fired by ESPN.   Some NFL players recently stated that if Limbaugh became an owner then they would not sign with a franchise he was associated with. My response to those comments is: they are blatantly lying.

Let’s say Limbaugh and Jerry Jones (Cowboys owner) were both pursuing a black player in his prime at the age of 25.

Jones offers a five-year deal worth 50 million (24 million guaranteed).

Limbaugh offers a five-year deal worth 65 million (33 million guaranteed)

With this player knowing that this contract (in all likelihood) will be his last big payday, which contract will he choose? 99.9 percent of the time, it would be the contract with more guaranteed dollars (0.01%- Donovan McNabb for obvious reasons).

The fact is that the players have never and will never care who the owner is; they only care about what how much they receive in their game check.  Because of the physicality of the NFL game, a player has a very short shelf life and must make as much money as possible in a short amount of time. Running backs are the prime example with most reaching the status of a has-been by the age of 28.  The typical NFL player has a three-year career; nobody can convince me that players won’t go to the franchise with the most dollars to offer.  I understand why the NFL wouldn’t want Limbaugh to compromise their brand, but for the players to say they won’t play for Limbaugh under any circumstance is a lie.

Cedric Benson is leading the league in rushing… how?

Most players need a change of venue at some point in their career; sometimes it works out good, sometimes bad.  How did a change of venue work out for Cedric Benson? Amazing. The Bengals are 4-1 and Benson is leading the league in rushing with 487 yards.  The contributing factors to Benson’s turnaround are an improved offensive line coupled with the fully recovered Carson Palmer. Palmer’s success spreads out the defense and Benson is taking full advantage.  The vast improvement of the Cincinnati offensive line and Benson was truly revealed Week 5 against Baltimore.  Benson was the 1^st running back in 44 games to eclipse 100 yards rushing against Baltimore’s stifling defense.  If Cincinnati somehow wins the AFC North and Benson continues to post Pro Bowl numbers, Benson could be an MVP candidate.

Saints vs. Giants: Who wins?

The Giants will win this game if they can accomplish three very important tasks: Protect Eli Manning, successfully run the football, and keep the Saints under 21 points. Manning is still recovering from a foot injury and the #1 priority for the Giants would to protect their 97 million dollar investment. The offensive line is excellent, but protecting Manning won’t be easy because the Saints have a superb defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams (former defensive coordinator in Washington). Williams opposed Manning six times from 2005-2007. Manning was an average quarterback in those contests (completion percentage: 49.7, six touchdowns, four interceptions). Williams will employ the same defensive schemes as he did in Washington to try to disrupt Manning’s rhythm. If Williams and an improved Saints’ defense happen to slow Manning down, the Giants will have to rely on their running game and defense to reach 6-0.

The Giants have had to rely on Manning’s arm to win football games thus far this year, but the Giants haven’t played a defense of the Saints caliber as of yet. They are ranked 11^th against the pass (two passing touchdowns allowed, 210.5 YPG, 10 interceptions) and 7^th against the run (two rushing touchdowns allowed, 84.7 YPG). Manning will not be able to win this game by himself because of the foot injury, so the Giants average running game must be a force this week or the Giants don’t have a chance.

Drew Brees’ statistics through four games: nine touchdowns, two interceptions, 334 YPG.  Brees began the year on fire, but his remarkable production has taken a detour the past two weeks with 0 touchdowns, and 182 YPG.  These sub-par numbers are an aberration, but when Brees faces off with the Giants and their #1 pass defense, his numbers won’t improve in Week 6.  Brees will have pressure in his face all day from the Giants’ defensive line and that will force him into mistakes.

The Saints have lost their past five games coming off a bye week.  If the Giants are able to do enough on offense and keep the Saints potent offense in check, the Giants will win.