These are the picks for the 2003 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 only used to determine upsets for the Upset of the Week.
For the first time in a long time, the Cincinnati Bengals are competitively in a chase for a playoff spot. It's possibly the worst news for quarterback Carson Palmer.
The rookie signal-caller was drafted first overall and is expected to become the franchise quarterback of the future. But after nine weeks, he's yet to play a down as the margin of error is slim for Cincy to secure one of four Wild Card slots.
Palmer is not alone. Rex Grossman was selected by the Chicago Bears but the coaches won't throw Rex into the fray just yet. Both Chicago and Cincinnati have 3-5 records and mathematically still have a chance to make the playoffs if they win out and some breaks go their way.
If and when these two teams chances for post season play come to an end, Palmer and Grossman should finally get some minutes , though they are well behind fellow first round counterparts, Kyle Boller and Byron Leftwich.
Boller started since day one for the Baltimore Ravens and under his direction, Baltimore has a winning record and a legitimate shot at the playoffs. To be honest, Boller is putting up sub-par QB numbers as the defense carries the team but being thrown directly into the fire might shape Boller into the quarterback head coach Brian Billick hopes he can be.
Leftwich, on the other hand, had a fast start before coming down to earth. But he possesses the tools to become the second great quarterback in Jacksonville history. If Leftwich kept pace with the numbers he put up in his first start, he'd be a lock for rookie of the year. But growing pains are expected.
This season seemingly lacks impact rookies that have been difference-makers for their respective teams. But a lot of them are playing important roles for their teams.
Going into the 2003 draft, it was touted for the depth along the defensive line. Defensive tackle Dwayne Robertson was regarded as the best of the best. The New York Jets thought so highly of him that they traded up to select the Kentucky product. Due to injuries, Robertson was forced into early and significant play from the season opener. He was slow to get up to speed, but is now showing the rest of the league why the Jets traded up. In his first two games, Dwayne mustered just two tackles. Those numbers are up to 22 total tackles and one and a half sacks, including four total tackles and a half sack this past Sunday.
Another DT logging valuable minutes for his team is Ty Warren for New England. He was expected to play significant minutes as part of a rotation along the line, but starters went down, Warren's minutes went up. He has decent stats for a D-lineman in a 3-4 defense but isn't force to be reckoned with.
Warren isn't alone in contributing to the Patriots' 7-2 record. Maybe no other team has played as many rookies at significant moments as the Patriots. Besides Warren, Dan Klecko has proven to be disruptive as an undersized defensive lineman. Head coach Bill Belichick has used Klecko's size and quickness in a variety of ways on defense (DE, DT, LB). Klecko occasionally lines up at fullback in short yardage situations for the offense. And thanks to a short kickoff, Klecko even has 10 yards as a returner.
Just don't expect Klecko to line up in the slot next to Bethel Johnson. The Texas A&M wide out made a few plays for the Pats on returns, giving the team great field position. When on the field with the offense, he's a deep threat for quarterback Tom Brady. He was timed as one of the fastest players coming out of the draft, making Johnson a valuable option on pass plays.
As good as these three have been for the Pats, what Assante Samuel and Eugene Wilson has done for the team is practically amazing. Both were drafted as cornerbacks. Samuel stayed at the position and has played very well. Learning from four-time Pro Bowler Ty Law and veteran Tyrone Poole, Samuel defended three passes and has two interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown that virtually put the game out of reach against the New York Jets. Samuel has a start under his belt, far behind Wilson who's manned the free safety position since week two and is up to eight starts. Wilson has quietly put together a solid season and leads the team in picks with three. Just this past Monday, he made a hit that prevented a reception that could had put Denver in position to kick a field goal.
Last, but not least, is Dan Koppen, who followed in the steps of his predecessor at Boston College and New England, 2003 Pro Bowl center Damien Woody. Koppen first came in for Woody due to injury. Though Woody returned a while ago, he's been forced to play guard in the absence of Mike Compton. Koppen remained at center and has proven to be worth more than the fifth round pick he was selected with.
Guard David Diehl knows about being thrust into starting along the O-line. He started for the Giants since the season opener. While it's unfair to rate Diehl's effectiveness by looking at the team's offensive stats and sacks allowed, The proof of Diehl's solid play is the fact he remains a starter.
The number of offensive draftees making an impact hasn't been great, but there are a few of note. Besides New England's Johnson, the top two wide receivers selected, Charles Rogers in Detroit and Andre Johnson in Houston, immediately started and made plays. Rogers quickly became the go-to player. He still leads the Lions in receptions and TD catches, even though he's played in just five games, which is an indication of how important he was to Detroit's offense. Johnson is on pace for a 1,000-yard season and is clearly the primary target for the Texans.
Andre Johnson's numbers are good but don't compare to what Anquan Boldin is doing in Arizona. If he remains on track, Boldin will finish with over 1,300 yards and a possible Pro Bowl selection. He caught everyone's attention with a season opening 217 yards on 10 catches. Not bad for a third receiver.
A similar sarcastic remark is owed running back Domanick Davis, playing for the Texans. When finally allowed to start, he put together two consecutive 100-yard games for Houston, the first ones in franchise history. This fourth rounder has out-rushed RBs drafted higher than he was, including Larry Johnson (first round - Kansas City) and Justin Fargas (third round - Oakland).
Because he's not putting up Jeremy Shockey-type numbers, tight end L.J. Smith is flying under the radar in Philadelphia. But probably not for long, especially after hauling in six passes for 97 yards last week.
Defensively, Terrell Suggs of Baltimore got off to a great start. Moved from college defensive end to pro linebacker, he's used often to rush the passer and had at least one sack in his first four games. He's up to six and has a very good chance at accumulating at least 10 by season's end.
Cornerback Terrance Newman knows about double digits. He's amassed 12 passes defensed in his first year as a pro. Playing for Dallas, he's part of one of the leagues best defenses. He pairs with second year safety Roy Williams and the duo could be memorable years down the road.
Just like corner Marcus Trufant and safety Ken Hamlin, both rookies in the Seattle secondary. Trufant started every game and is up to nine passes defensed, one Int., 41 tackles and a fumble recovery. Hamlin has a fumble recovery of his own, along with a forced fumble, three passes defensed, and 55 tackles.
If you wanna talk tackles, ask Green Bay's Nick Barnett. He leads the Packers with 67 of them, starting at middle linebacker. Twice he finished with over 10 tackles in a game and could be the anchor in the middle for G.B. for years to come.
All these players from what was considered a weak draft class. If the 2004 draft is supposed to be better than this group of youngsters, the next class of rookies have plenty to prove to out-class the 2003 rooks.
Maybe I should go back to class. A 6-8 record won't make the grade. Let's see what some extra studying time does for me.
Chicago at Detroit - W
Considering how bad things were for Detroit, some were beginning to assume the only way the Lions could get up for the game would only be if the whole team had a prescription of Levitra. If last week's win is any indication, the Loins...um, excuse me...Lions will stand up for themselves and take care of the Bears.
Miami at Tennessee - W
Last week quarterback Brian Griese was informed by head coach Dave Wansteadt that he was starting when both ran into each other in the bathroom. I hope that's not because Wansteadt's office was relocated there since he's rumored to be on the hot seat this year. At least his hot seat is made of porcelain. The Titans knock the Dolphins on their backsides.
Atlanta at N.Y. Giants - L
A lot of Atlanta fans were angered over the half time show last week. The word is rapper Bonecrusher used foul language and said he'd kill someone with a gun during his performance. Even more offensive was when Falcons head coach Dan Reeves took the mic and spit an ill freestyle dissin' quarterback Michael Vick who's still out with a broken leg. The bickering distracts the Falcons and allows the Giants to shut down Atlanta.
Seattle at Washington - L
"What's the fun in this?" asks QB Patrick Ramsey. The Redskins passer was hit virtually every other time he dropped back to pass as the offense was switched to Fun and Gun. If head coach Steve Spurrier doesn't call plays in a more professional style it might turn into Gun and Done for Ramsey. Seattle has the 'Skins in the crosshairs and the Seahawks won't miss.
Arizona at Pittsburgh - L
Hasn't it been something like forever since the Cardinals last road win? This could be the week 'Zona breaks the streak. Steelers wide out Plaxico Burress said publicly that the offense is too predictable. If the Cardinals make the right calls, they stun the Steelers for the Upset of the Week.
Houston at Cincinnati - W
Cincy just missed out on their first three-game winning streak since 1999. That's so unfortunate. T-shirts were already made to celebrate the occasion. They'll have to start from one beginning with a Bengals win over the Texans.
Tampa Bay at Carolina - L
T.B.'s defensive end Simeon Rice told the press that he's guaranteeing a win, putting much of the onus on fellow linemen Warren Sapp and Anthony McFarland along with himself. If 'Lina buys into the talk, then they'll forget there's more playmakers on Tampa Bay than the ones Rice mentioned. By focusing on the three mentioned, the Panthers get beat by the rest of the Buccaneers team.
Cleveland at Kansas City - W
The Browns attempt to put the first blemish on K.C.'s record without a prime offensive weapon at running back. William Green has been suspended after being arrested for driving under the influence and possessing marijuana. The team would had suspended him longer if Green also had on him the "Bill Romanowski Cocktail." The Chiefs dizzy up the Browns.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville - L
Indy owes the last win to defensive end Dwight Freeney. He finished with three sacks and two forced fumbles, including the one that sealed the victory. In hopes of slowing Freeney down, the Jaguars double team him with two offensive linemen joined by a web of elastics so he can't split the blockers. It's not a stretch to say the Colts win regardless.
Minnesota at San Diego - L
Nine weeks have passed and it's taken me this long to admit that the Chargers are just terrible. I've been in denial thus far but I've finally come to grips with reality. I'll resist selecting them unless they play at home. That's why I'm favoring the Vikings in this game. S.D. might be home, but crowd can't help the Bolts play defense.
Buffalo at Dallas - W
From the Why Wait department: The Bills activated running back Willis McGahee, making him available to play in any game for the rest of the season. The Buffalo coaches won't rush him back and McGahee still might not play this year. But that doesn't mean the competition for starting RB isn't in full swing. Current starter Travis Henry will run with passion, but it won't be enough for the Bills to get by the Cowboys.
N.Y. Jets at Oakland - W
After Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson called out head coach Bill Callahan and claimed the coach lost control of the team, the two met privately behind closed doors and came away with what Callahan called a productive meeting. Sources said it involved a handle of vodka and American Gladiators-style fighting batons. Tired of beating on each other, the Jets beat down the worn out Raiders.
Baltimore at St. Louis - W
A meeting of two so-called offensive geniuses. One has gone astray. We've learned that is neither is as smart as originally perceived. This game will be won by the coach not for their intellect, but for having a game plan with fewer flaws. The Rams should make enough plays to get by the Ravens.
Philadelphia at Green Bay - Monday Night - W
Quarterback Donovan McNabb had his best day for Philly against one of the worst passing defenses in the league. It's just one game, but it's telling because McNabb might had finally found his form. It wasn't healing from the thumb injury but firing Abraham Lincoln, his personal trainer depicted in the Lincoln Financial commercial, that helped McNabb get back to his old self. He'll be is prove that with a solid effort in a Eagles win over the Packers.
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