These are the picks for the 2002 season. The bold represents the team selected to win. Games in red represent the Upset of the Week. At the bottom, The weekly and overall records for the season appear at the bottom. These picks are based purely on winners and losers with no consideration from the spread. The spread is used only to determine upsets for the Upset of the Week.
It has been a very interesting season for rookies so far. Many have tasted significant action already, playing big roles for their respective teams. For some, it was the intention for these first year players to be trust into playing early on. Others put up surprising performances to take hold of being a regular part of the Sunday lineup. This week the offensive players take the spotlight:
It was a given that the top two quarterbacks selected were going to see action. First pick overall David Carr was named the starter from the beginning. Joey Harrington was next, taken two spots later by Detroit. The question was when would Harrington see action. It happened sooner than most expected.
It's absurd to argue which passer is better because they are under different circumstances. Carr joined the expansion Houston Texans. Harrington's Lions were built to reach the playoffs not too long ago. Disappointment forced a change to reloading. With a better supporting cast surrounding him, Harrington quickly is making a name for himself with sound decision-making and a strong arm.Harrington has led Detroit to two wins in four starts.
Carr could post similar numbers if he wasn't being dropped every 3.9 pass attempts. He's on pace to be sacked over 80 times in his rookie season. Whether the beating he's taking builds determination in the long run waits to be seen, but so far he's handled himself well and quickly is showing improvement, particularly in accuracy.
The last player taken in the first round was also a quarterback, Patrick Ramsey of Tulane. He deserves mentioning because in his first start, he defeated Tennessee by completing a.most 59 percent of his passes for two touchdowns and no picks. Unfortunately for Ramsey, his second outing was a failure and Washington head coach Steve Spurrier lacks the patience to let Ramsey find his way through playing. Spurrier benched his rookie for the upcoming game.
Another position showing great sparks are the pass catchers, as in wide receivers and tight ends. The New York Giants' tight end Jeremy Shockey opened so many eyes in the preseason that he's already seeing his fair share of double-coverage. His effect can be seen in the numbers put up by his teammates, receivers Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard.
Soon Miami's Randy McMichael will start seeing the double-teams Shockey is subjected to. The fourth round pick out of Georgia has been very consistent in the Dolphins pass offense. Downgraded as a prospect for lack of size hurting his blocking ability, Miami lets McMichael do what he does best: Catch. He leads the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
This year's receivers class is strong, and while the production has been pretty good, two stand out from the rest. Defending Super Bowl Champions New England drafted 5'9" Deion Branch out of Louisville when there were players with better physical attributes still available. But the second rounder is proving size doesn't matter as much as speed and hands. Already with a 100+ yards game under his belt, Branch leads all rookies in receptions. Another subscriber to the speed and hands over size theory is Antwaan Randle El of Pittsburgh. The former Indiana University quarterback can be seen returning punts and kickoffs, lined up in the slot, in the backfield as a running back or in shotgun as the quarterback. Wherever he lines up, Randle El makes eye-opening plays for the Steelers.
While Donte' Stallworth doesn't start for New Orleans, he's given the Saints big play after big play. He has touchdown receptions of 41, 34, and 29 yards in four games before injuring his hamstring. The same can be said of Andre Davis for Cleveland. Just this past Sunday he returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Davis is tied for the team lead in TD catches.
Honorable mentions: Josh Reed of Buffalo and Javon Walker of Green Bay.
The most disappointing draft position so far is running back. The Browns thought William Green would provide the team with the ground game the team has lacked since returning to the league. Green has been unable to take the starting job from Jamel White because Green is averaging a mere 2.2 yards per carry.
Another back having problems securing the starting job is T.J. Duckett in Atlanta. The Falcons drafted the 250-pound workhorse to replace oft-injured Jamal Anderson. But the coaching staff won't ride Duckett for 20-25 carries a game. He splits saddle-time with free agent pickup Warrick Dunn. Duckett's production should earn him the job outright, but the organization believes it must validate the contract they gave Dunn so he must get his snaps.
The only rookie ball carrier to become a starter is the one scouts raised questions about. They wondered if Clinton Portis, barely over 200 pounds, could break tackles as a smaller than average runner. So far, Portis has been too fast to be tackled. He leads all rookie runners with 451 yards and two touchdowns.
Two rookie running backs to keep an eye out for: Jonathan Wells of Houston and Ladel Betts for the Redskins.
The lowest acclaimed position is offensive line, but these rooks deserve mention: Center/guard LeCharles Bentley in New Orleans, right tackle Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack in Seattle, and center Andre Gurode. Easily the biggest O-line disappointment is Bryant McKinnie for failing to reach an contract agreement with Minnesota.
Atlanta at New Orleans - L
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick set a new franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 91 yards. Expect Vick to exceed that total later this season. This week is a possibility because that N'Orleans defense can get after the quarterback. Vick won't get away every time as the Saints wrap up the Falcons.
Chicago at Minnesota - W
For anyone who missed former coach Jim Mora go off on the Vikings' troublesome wide out Randy Moss, Mora said he wouldn't had drafted Moss, criticized the inconsistent effort on the field, called Moss a jerk, and then some. I only wished someone asked him about the Vikes' post-season chances. I'd love to hear, "Playoffs??? Playoffs??!!!?!?!?" again. Playoffs??!!!?!?!? are out of the question for both teams, but the Vikings will take this matchup.
Cleveland at N.Y. Jets - L
It's taken a while, but the Jets look like they will get production out of past draft picks. Wide receiver Santana Moss hauled in five passes for 111 yards and quarterback Chad Pennington was a stellar 24-for-29 with 324 yards and a touch. New Yorkers must be wondering where have they been. Now that they are off Jimmy Hoffa's body watch, expect more good things from these young players. They will propel the Jets to a second consecutive win.
Detroit at Buffalo - W
No one is signing up for motivational speaking seminars hosted by Lions general manager Matt Millen anymore. Since stating an unknown player on Detroit is a "devout coward" on a radio show, enrollment to Millen's series of speeches titled, "You Can Do It . . .You Gutless Yellow-bellied Piece of Feces" has dropped dramatically. Not intimidated, the Bills knock off the Lions.
Oakland at Kansas City - L
The Oldmen Raiders. As good as this team can be, many question if they can keep performing at a high level for an entire season. Some point to this two-game slide as evidence. In reality, think of it like a heart murmur. All they need a small shock to get back on beat. The new defibrillators come in handy as the Raiders edge the Chiefs.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore - W
So who's the next backup ready to step up for Pittsburgh? Already quarterback Kordell Stewart was benched for sub-par play early this season. Tom Maddox is breathing life into the offense. Now running back Jerome Bettis will miss time with an injury (Commercialism Curse, maybe? Hmmmmmm?) Amos Zeroue takes his spot for at least a week. The added speed will be just what the Steelers need to squeeze past the Ravens and their stingy defense.
Seattle at Dallas - W
Not satisfied with the performance of quarterback Quincy Carter, the Cowboys switch to Chad Hutchinson. Also on the outs is punter/holder Micah Knorr for mishandling snaps. For a team already struggling to put points on the board, these moves will cost the 'Boys 10 points for the first few games. The Seahawks run up the score on Dallas.
Tampa Bay at Carolina - L
Throughout the preseason, TB head coach Jon Gruden complimented quarterback Rob Johnson about his mobility, arm strength, and accuracy. If statisticians figure in the interceptions R.J. throws, his accuracy will stay up. I can't stand the chump and his poor play under pressure allows the Panthers to steal one for the Upset of the Week.
Tennessee at Cincinnati - W
He has something up his sleeve. Cincy running back Corey Dillon expressed his disappointment with the franchise, saying recently that if things don't change, he will do something. Well I know what he's gonna do. Check it. It's almost Halloween. With his friends, Dillon will toilet paper Paul Brown Stadium. No one believes he will retire. The Titans won't quit until they squash the Bengals.
Arizona at San Francisco - W
Realignment has been good to 'Zona so far. They share the lead for the NFC West with San Fran. How legit is the Cardinals' record? The combined record of four of the Cards victims is 10-16. Including SF, four of the next five combine for 14-11. I have my doubts about Arizona. The 49ers find the weakness the exposes the Cardinals.
Denver at New England - W
The Patriots coaching staff spent two weeks mulling over what has gone wrong during the current three game losing streak. The players did their best to forget the last three losses. There's been a lot of talk of going back to basics. If they walk out of the tunnel at Gillette Stadium wearing leather helmets, then they've lost the game before it begins. While they show signs of turning things around, the 180 degree reversal won't be complete in time for Sunday. The Broncos hold off New England.
Houston at Jacksonville - W
The Texans did the Jaguars a huge favor by selecting offensive tackle Tony Boselli in the expansion draft. It cleared his big salary off the books for Jacksonville. In return, Houston got a cornerstone to the offensive line that won't play this year. This is a payback game for getting nothing in return. Revenge comes for the Texans by beating the Jaguars.
Indianapolis at Washington - L
There's always talk about the difference between college coaches and pro coaches. Steve Spurrier, just removed from the University of Florida, isn't running his team like a pro. He shuffles Redskins players like his Gator days and it's already rubbing some of his players badly. Spurrier is changing his starting QB for the third time this year. It won't take long for dissention to build at his rate. Indy remains peaceful with Tony Dungy at the helm and the Colts dispose of the 'Skins.
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia - Monday Night - W
Whatever trick play the Giants have drawn up, Philly will be ready. They were caught off guard by the hook and ladder play near the end of last season but Philadelphia stopped it a couple of yards short of the goal line. Flea-flickers, fake punts, and onsides kicks won't have any effect as a well prepared Eagles team stops the deceptive Giants.
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