I'm glad to announce, the organization is willing to spend money. Carolina signs a big one in DJ Hackett- and this could help tremendously on the WR hump.

" .....The negatives account for why Hackett was available more than two weeks into the signing period and settled for a two-year, $3.5 million contract Monday rather than a blockbuster six-year deal like receivers Jerry Porter ($30 million) and Bernard Berrian ($42 million) got from Jacksonville and Minnesota.

Hackett was ranked one of the top five available receivers entering the free agency signing period and was rated the No. 24 prospect at any position by Sporting News.

The market didn't move quickly for him and the Panthers' patience allowed them to land a potential high-impact player at a bargain price with very little long-term risk.

He chose Carolina over Seattle, Tampa Bay and Washington.

"D.J. is extremely excited," said Kevin Robinson, Hackett's agent. "He really feels like Carolina provides an excellent opportunity for him." ......."

So here we are again. Poor Panther fans sitting back, watching their team epicly fail in free agency. We all know it takes a couple dolla bills to put something up in the win collumn.

DJ Hackett- a signable WR from Seattle took a trip to Carolina, earlier this week.

He left without an offer.

This is so sad. The Panthers front office doesn't even try to sign a second end WR- who even still- would improve us from some combination from 5 years ago that with fail today. That combination being the resigned veteran Muhsin Muhammad coming back to Carolina with Steve Smith. That great show that worked so many years ago in that Super Bowl season that, to this day, continues to let John Fox keep his job.

Somehow, magically, Hurney, and Mr. Fox think Moose and Steve Smith are going to go in and dominate again, like no aging ever happened, like a more aged Moose will be a reborn Jerry Rice.

Come on now, you want to keep your job, you spend the damn money.

Not like they'll ever get fired anyway, but it would be a little different if they would utalize talent, and at some point, spend those "dolla bills".

Patriot fans are still a little upset, and I fully understand that, but sometimes people just make you wonder.

Here it is.. The big one............... And believe it or not, halfway to my preseason superbowl- in which I had the Colts and the Giants.

Anyhoot-

Patriots vs. Giants

Advantages-

Offense- Pats

Defense- Giants

Special Teams- Giants

Coaching- Pats

Skill Positions- Pats

O line- Pats

D Line- Giants

LBs- Pats

Secondary- Giants

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And now, where it matters... Off paper..

The game will be decided by a few things... In particular-

1. Can the NYG get pressure on Brady without sending a 5th man?

2. Giants will need a good return.. A lot. Can it happen?

3. Elis confidence. You're not godly dude, but you can make some throws.

What I think is going to happen....

Personally, I like the match up. People think it'll be a blowout somehow, but really? Come on. They played a few weeks ago, and it was a tight game till Eli started to play like a moron.

The Giants need to jump on them right away, and stay on it. If they can do that, they WILL win this game. On to defense.. Really, it all starts and ends with the defensive line. The defensive lines job is to pressure the quarterback. If you cannot do that, you will end up like this years Denver Broncos. They have the best cornerback duo in the league with Bailey and Bly, but when they weren't able to get pressure, they couldn't cover NFL WRs for 7.. 9 seconds. Nobody can. But anybody can cover for 2-3 seconds. Thats what the Giants will have to do. That and knock Brady on his golden boy ass.

However, they will have to do that without bringing a 5th man.

Final-

NE Patriots 28

NY football Giants 27

DO NOT HOWEVER, be surprised if the Giants take this. The Pats play has been rediculously sloopy as of recent, as they barely escaped a dying and wounded San Diego. If they play the same way they did against the Chargers, expect a Giant asswhoopin. Get it? Yea..........

I think that Bellicheat will have them prepared, and I don't see a lose, reguardless of how close this game plays out to be.

Here we go... Second to last week of NFL football, and it shouldn't be a very good one. 6-2 in the playoffs so far.

AFC Championship Round-

Super Chargers- 13

Patriots- 42

Come on now, lets be real here. Hurtin LT and Gates, and a partially torn ACL QB. Even without all that, it's still a blowout for NE. To bad the Colts fell apart last week, cause that would've set up another good game. This isn't going to be pretty anyway you look at it.

NFC Championship Round-

Game of the week-

Packers- 21

G-Men- 24

Green Bay, Wisconsin. Temperature forcast varying between -5 and 5. Sounds like an advantage to the Northern home team. Wrong. Two teams that like to pound the ball, from up north. The G-Men are excellent on the road, at 9-1. The Giants will win a blistery game where passing advantages won't help. Jacobs and Grant will tear apart each others defenses, and it'll be a helluva game. Last second field goal wins it in an anti-kicker game.

" COLUMBUS, Ohio – All-America linebacker James Laurinaitis has decided to stay at Ohio State for his senior year, he announced today.

A statement from Laurinaitis:

"After a long thought process and strategic evaluation of the pros and cons of this decision with my close family and friends, I've decided to stay at Ohio State for my senior season to complete my schoolwork and football career."

Whens next years championship game? We might as well not even play the season, Jenkins and JL back can't be a bad thing.

Here we go, round 2.

AFC Divisional Playoffs-

Patriots 38 Jaguars 31- The Pats are to good. Jacksonville might take a lead, but then again, they might do what they did last week falling apart. Fact of the matter is, unless it's Indy, nobody is good enough to handle NE.

Colts 34 Chargers 14- Blow out here. Peyton won't throw 6 picks, it's in Indy, and they won't be shafted on a last second call. Add that all to a non miss Vinateri chip shot, you have an ugly win.

NFC DP-

Packers 27 Seattle 13- Seattle isn't very good, and although the Pack aren't great either, they have advantages on all sides of the ball.

-Game of the week- Dallas 21 NYG 24-

Yup, NYG for the upset here, it's nearly impossible to win 3 straight against a big rival like the Giants, and after Eli Manning proved he can win a game on his shoulders, I expect the on fire Giants to kill another one off. Dallas isn't sitting high and mighty any more, after less than impressive wins in the passed weeks. Plus TO isn't 100%.

Here we go.. Playoffs are finally started up, and this is what I have-

NFC Wildcard Games-

Game of the Week- Giants 27 Bucs 21- Tampa isn't very good, at all. Minus Garcia, it's the same team from last year. And if you can cover Galloway, you have a GREAT chance of beating them. They got sacked last week, and have been in the passed. Expect a big game from Oci. Giants aren't great either, but when they play to win, they can come close to beating the best of them. I like the Giants pounding the ball less than most expect, and the win coming from Mannings arm.

Redskins 16 Seahawks 14- I don't like Seattle's chances at all. Underdogs in this game I'm sure, but after they got beaten by Carolina everybody dropped what they had expected. Seattle is home, and very good at home during the playoffs, but Washington although I doubt their powers too, are going to be able to run the ball. That's all I need to say.

AFC Wildcard Games-



Titans 20 Chargers 21- I like the Chargers here by a VERY slim margin. The Titans almost beat them in the regular season, and I'd say even w/out Vince they have a shot. The QB situation regardless will sink them. Either a banged up Young, or a healthy Collins (I think it's him) they won't be able to score enough.

Jaguars 31 Steelers 14- No Willy Parker, must I say more? Garrard is beyond underrated. That's about all I have.

_____________________________________________________

Divisional Round-

AFC DP-

Game of The Week- Pats 35 Jags 27- Most people expect the Jags to win. They might be a very good team. Very good.. They have a lacking pass defense though, and pass offense is where NE excels. Expect the Pats to be in control by 14+ then maybe a last second strike by the Jags to get to just under 10 pt game.

Colts 41 Chargers 20- SD isn't good. Second worse division in football. They were cheated earlier in the year, and its time for payback.. At home. Manning won't throw 6 INTs, rather 5 TDs. Rivers will struggle, LT although getting the yards, has been quite this year.

NFC DP-

Cowboys 24 Skins 23- NFL wants Dallas in.

Pack 31 Giants 21- Eli will lose this one, just as he won the last one. It'll be cold, and I expect Brett Favre to be himself. The Giants aren't that good to being with, but if they can't run the ball, it falls on Eli, and he isn't a great leader when it comes to that.

________________________________________________

NFC Championship Game

Cowboys 42 Packers 38- Dallas is a better team, and the Packers should give them a challenge here, especially with Owens injured. I expect a game where we see a lot of pitch and catch, and it might actually come down to one call. Hint hint...

AFC Championship

Game of the Week- Colts @ Patriots- This is killing me. I'm having such a problem deciding this one. I know if I say NE I'll become the entire Sportswriting community, or, on my opinion the deciding factor on if the NFL is fixed (yea, harp later) but if I say Indy, I'll be put down by a few certain Pats fans on a few message boards of mine.

And...

If the NFL is straight-

Colts 28 Pats 27- Yea, I said it. Manning is gonna blow them a new asshole.

If not...

Patriots 42 Colts 28....

_______________

Pats/Colts A lot

Dallas A little

I missed last week, but two weeks ago I was 12-4 (if only the Panthers would match) bringing my total to 71-49. I don't have the time to post before the Thursday night game, so you'll just have to trust my honesty, or disreguard it.

Steelers 24 Rams 14

Panthers 21 Cowboys 20 - Oh me oh my

Browns 31 Bengals 10

Colts 20 Texans 17

Giants 28 Buffalo 12- G Men to get it back on track

Detroit 27 KC 14

Jaguars 28 Raiders 10

New Orleans 35 Eagles 31

Pack 24 Bears 3

Arizona 27 Atlanta 10

Bucs 35 SF 21

Titans 17 Jets 13

Pats 41 Dolphins 6

Seahawks 20 Ravens 14

Vikings 24 Skins 23- Hardest game

Chargers 31 Broncos 30

Fantasy Star- Steve Smith

I have a strong feeling he'll have a good showing against a Williams-less Cowboys d.

"COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Top-ranked Ohio State reportedly will be without two cornerbacks -- one a starter and the other a top reserve -- who have been suspended for the Allstate BCS Championship Game against LSU, according to media reports.

Donald Washington, a sophomore who has started every game this season for the Buckeyes (11-1), was suspended for violating team rules, WCMH-TV and The Columbus Dispatch reported Wednesday.

Ohio State announced later Thursday that backup Eugene Clifford also was suspended for violating team rules."

All I can say, is f*ck.

"New England quarterback Tom Brady needs four touchdown passes to surpass Dan Marino and tie Peyton Manning for most touchdown passes in a single season (49). Wide receiver Randy Moss needs four touchdown receptions to pass Jerry Rice for the most receiving touchdowns in League history."

Moss I've never had a problem with, and he will rightfully break the record, but it's Brady where it hurts me.

I hate Michigan. Brady is from that place. Brady beat us in the super bowl. He's a pretty boy. Maybe not overrated, but overhyped.

At this point, it's just not fair- between this and the second pick in which they could more than likely take Darren McFadden

We wouldn't be waiting for April if Del Rio was our man, rather, waiting for February.

We never should've let him get away. He's just one of those guys, you have to pay to stay around in case your man doesn't work out. I mean, I know he wanted a HC job, but we could've put up some money to match. Del Rio is a lot like Gary Kubiak, one of those coordinators, you have to keep till it's time.

Jack has balls, and has made our sister team look great in the best division in football. He has to play the Colts twice, Texans twice, and the Titans twice. They are 9-4.

We play, the Bucs, Falcons, and Saints twice. Sure you could argue the fact that Jake got hurt, but even any other year, 8-8 or whatever, we still got killed.

We might not have as much talent on defense, but offensively, we're 4 plus Jaguar squads. They have the worst receivers a mediocre QB and a good set of RBs. Their line is also decent.

We have a great set of WR (considering Smitty is there, and Carter is growing up), a really solid QB who is finally living up to it, a good RB and a sad one, who still starts, add on a fairly ok o-line and we've got a pretty good offensive squad.

Yet how many times haven't we scored an offensive TD?

Yet how many series are run left, run right, sack, punt?

Jacksonville does a lot more, with a lot less.

Our fans are even much better for noise and such.

Where does it all go wrong?

Coaching... If we had a motivational guy, that didn't completely loose control of his organization after Jakes injury, we'd still have a shot at 8-8.

A ballsy coach. Somebody who is willing to go for it when you've had a staggering drive.

We'd be sittin pretty if Jack Del Rio was the head man.

The New England Patriots have the 49ers draft pick this year. Due to the cheating thing, they had to to give back their second pick, THEIR pick.

The 9ers are headed for about the 2nd pick, and being that the Dolphins don't need anybody to give the ball to, rather somebody to block, pass, and play defense, it sets McFadden up to whoever is at 2. Plus Miami has a RB.

The Pats gave back one pick, what will be #32.

They didn't give back #2.

McFadden becomes a Patriot, dominance becomes, rediculous. Football at that time, is in trouble.

Jacksonville, Stadium, Facility, Fans, Team-

But anyway, onto the game. First the full Jags report, stadium, and all. Nice facility in Jacksonville, small city, PiTA to get around, but a nice little city. I don't know how they got an NFL team not being able to sell out. They top four sections in each corner of the facility were tarped- they put an advertisement in two, and a Jaguar face in the others, I guess to hide some of the fact that they had atleast 7000 missing.

Really, they're a lot like us. Have other things going on, for example the people around me were all more interested in starting a wave than the 10-6 ball game. Eventually the whole stadium did it. Nearly all 65,000 that were there, not me.

They are still getting used to the NFL, just like us. We're of course already built basketball, but they are not like that, just interested in other things. 90% were on their phones waving, the whole game.

If you ever go- the fans are great, very respectful, nice stadium, but the chairs are tiny (76,000) in a stadium of about only 90% of ours. The heat surprised me, I figured 70s at worst, being that it's usually in the high 70s in Tampa at this time. I was wrong- but yea. We made a terrible offense look godly. 400+ yards? Phew... The Defense I can see only scoring 6 (had we scored a normal amount in other games) but the other team better only get 3-14.

Running Back Situation

But John, when do you say, to Foster, until you can hold the damn ball son, you be ridin the pine? Where is he better than Foster? YOU SAY D-WILL CAN'T PASS BLOCK- BUT YET EVERY 3RD DOWN (PASSING SITUATION) D-WILL COMES IN? WTF?

Really? Foster has no, power, or burst. He has a bad bad bad worst case ever of fumblitis.

D-Will, I don't care if he misses a cut, or misses a block, he will run, and well. If he runs better than Foster, put him in on runs, what's Foster gonna do, find another team? Nope.. Somebody who holds the ball like a loaf of bread and has no speed or power won't find a job.

Even if he does, we don't lose much..

QB Situation-

Foxy brotha, if you're going to give Moore a shot, give it to him at 0-0. You can't ask a rookie to go in, throw the ball everydown behind 31 and win a game. Come on here. You had to bench da Veeenee before, you knew we'd do it again, we're so close to mathmatically out, put in the Moore-man.

Playcalling?

Um.. Predictable?

What happened, I was proud to be a fan last week, not because we beat SF, but because we mixed it up.

We did something new.

What happened to the "wildhog"?

Where'd it go?

Back to Henning/Fox run left, run right, draw, punt.

Or-

Run right, run left, sack, punt?

How'd we go this far down hill in a week. I know Jacksonville has a good defense, but theres no excuse for predictability.

Wide Receivers-

Ok, so I witnessed us since the last Tampa game, in Tampa. Sad... Our Wideouts are great. Every pass I saw, was under, or over thrown.

What the hell?

Carter, always had two steps, and he got thrown to OUT OF BOUNDS? It was a 3rd down early in the game, and Carter had a big stride ahead of the defender. It goes OUT OF BOUNDS?

Jeff King- Excellent player. Vinny had him twice, and now, I was there, front row, of end zone, I saw us coming in the two times we were there. Once he threw to Foster and King was WIDE OPEN running down the middle. The other time, he overthrew him on a TD.

Steve- Well, he didn't get thrown to. I saw him, close. He was running wild.

Defense?

As I'm an offensive fella, I couldn't give a damn about defense, but come on. Jacksy- short hook, short curl. First down. When do our DBs start anticipating? If you anticipate a short ball, automatic Pick 6. Just like what happened to Vinny. I'm talkin early in the game. I mean I can't blame it all on the d when the offense doesn't give them a minute of time of possession to rest. Oh- and damn, Jon Beason is goood.

Julius Peppers-

We need to keep him, he is just playing uninspired. Several plays I pondered this in the stadium, sitting watching him alone, he just has no drive right now.

Will that be resparked? I don't know, it's hard to tell if a great team would change his attitude, but really, I don't blame him. Nothing to play for, the rest of the line is no help.

You've got to understand, the rest of the line has to be efficient for one player to get it done. If the rest of them suck (they do) than one player will just be trippled, end of story.

Fox Timeouts?

I was listening to this deal on the radio going home, hoping for scores. They said Fox called all three time outs, down 31 with a minute to go. BUT he didn't go for it on 3rd and 2 from his own 30? WTH here, coach? Commit, or don't. It was long over, but if you think not, go for it. I know many of you had turned it off, but can you believe that?

Final thoughts-

I left this game. Never thought I'd do it. I left after the INT. I said, wow, he just missed a wide open Steve on a deep route, with a run, deep route, long route option. He floated to Hoover, 6 yards away, and it was just stepped in front of. Then the Jags player, ran the ball in, pointing the tip at me when he was looking in the stands. I wipped him the bird, being the person I am.

I hope you guys read that, cause I made a lot of good points, but if not, it's cool.

Ohio State plays a damn good opponent in the LSU Tigers. This is the breakdown-

Coaching- I'd give to Ohio State- Tressel is THE BEST of today.

Mental Advantage- Easily Ohio State

Physical Advantage- Easily Ohio State

Schedule Advantage- With time to rest, it's not problem facing a big time opponent - LSU

"Speed" Advantage- LSU

Homefield- LSU because of location, I wouldn't doubt a showing of about 55% LSU 45% Ohio State. We traveled to Az, La won't be a problem.

Defensive Advantage- Well, our D is incredible, but Dorsey is going to be a major factor here. LSU

Offensive Advantage- Although the Tigers have 30 RBs, Beanie IMO, is still better

Special Teams- Ohio State, we have damn good kickers, and our return game is pretty decent.

X Factors-

Dorsey, Lauriniatis.

Mo Wells (backup to Beanie Wells), Hester

That's my breakdown.

Now, to the real reason we will take this one, as we should've the last.

The underdog has won the majority of the BCS.

Think about it... When you're the underdog, and get to hear how you don't belong on the same field as your opponent, and you hear it for 5-8 weeks, it sets in, we're tired of this.

It's what happened last year. It wasn't the speed of the SEC. The only place the SEC is faster in than the Big Ten is the LineBacker position, other than that, it's all the same.

It wasn't the speed though... The Buckeyes heard it'd be given to them, and it wasn't. It's what happened to Miami, and USC, and Texas. The list goes on. And it will stay this way.

Quite frankly, I'm good being the underdog, especially now.