Randolph's Random Picks

Week 13

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.

Recently in the NBA, the Chicago Bulls fired head coach Bill Cartwright, inserted an interim coach, as the franchise begins the search for a new head coach. Cartwright might not be the only coach in the league that gets canned.

With week 13 upon us, it might be cruel to ponder which NFL coaches will be fired after the regular season ends, but that's just how it is the NFL. Will Marty Schottenheimer still be leading San Diego next year? Does Dan Reeves get dropped because his relationship with franchise quarterback Michael Vick seems to be rocky? How about Dave Wannstedt? Yeah, he keeps getting the Dolphins into the playoffs, but is owner Wayne Huizenga tired of the late season collapses and early playoff exits to want to make a change? There's other coaches on shaky ground, but there's no need to go there.

The point is, there will be changes in the ranks of the head coaches. There are two new coaches this year, an more the year before. This upcoming off-season could have up to 12 coaching changes.

There's never a shortage of possible candidates for open coaching positions. Coordinators already in the league tend to be first choices. Hot college head coaches tend to get calls after New Year's Day. Heck, some possible candidates might had already been secretly talked to by interested parties. Remember Dallas owner Jerry Jones said he was "consulting" with Bill Parcells during the season last year. And nowadays, if an owner is willing to part with draft choices, you can trade for your dream coach with another franchise.

Regardless of where these candidates come from, this could be one of the biggest off-seasons of coach hiring in NFL history. Owners will talk to whoever they want, but if less than a quarter of the positions are filled by black coaches, the annual firestorm gets sparked up once again, and for good reason.

Look, I don't wanna hear from the Rainbow/Push Coalition as much as the white guy. Jesse Jackson should stay in politics and stop trying to make an example of the NFL. But when the percentage of black coaches trails the percentage of black players by a huge margin it's bound to draw negative attention.

It starts with the system already in place to promote minority coaching candidates to the owners. The NFL also made it mandatory for owners to interview at least one black candidate. While I support the system, the league must find a better way to. Last year New York Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell came away from one interview very disappointed, equating his interview to a dog and pony show because the team didn't seriously consider him but only brought him in to satisfy to league's standard.

If the league is going to promote minorities, it should be done year round, not just after season are done. When listing top defenses and offenses, attach the name of the coordinator as well. It's like giving credit the moment it happens instead of after a year of accomplishment. Months later those names could be gone from their memories. It's like movie credits. Hardly anyone stays in the theatre to watch them after the flick is done.

The toughest obstacle is making the mandatory interview palatable to the owners. They don't care to talk to someone they are not interested in. If it could be made more like a choice instead of being forced upon, the owners might be more open. How the league is going to improve on the current idea is beyond me. I wish I had a solution.

It took Marvin Lewis two years after winning the Super Bowl with a record-setting defense to land a head coaching job. Cincinnati took the gamble on him when Lewis was strongly considering going to college to prove himself. Art Shell, a Hall of Fame guard, spent seven years coaching the Raiders and was fired for having issues with owner Al Davis. Shell has a winning record as a head coach but is yet to get another chance. Cottrell and New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennell should be hot names thrown around in the off-season. They will be joined by a handful of other quality minority coordinators and assistants that should get their chance to be a head coach somewhere. The NFL wants a few promoted to run their own teams because it doesn't want to answer the questions they dealt with last year and years before.

Green Bay at Detroit - Thursday - L

The Packers running backs travel with at least three pairs of turf shoes for the game. With the emphasis on running the ball and the lack of run defense played by Detroit, the G.B. ball carriers pack extras in case the other shoes get worn out. Call it a Packers stampede that the Lions won't be able to stop.

Miami at Dallas - Thursday - L

Word is Dallas head coach Bill Parcells cried when he addressed his team after the win over Carolina. Already a strong candidate for NFL Coach of the Year, Parcells just got into the Oscars race for Dramatic Performance by a Head Coach. He's neck and neck with Kansas City's Dick Vermeil. Shed a tear for the Dolphins because the Cowboys will smack 'em up.

San Francisco at Baltimore - L

San Fran quarterback Jeff Garcia is healthy again and will start for his team with a rear view mirror attached to his helmet. It comes in handy for keeping an eye on the outside pass rush and for watching his back to see if QB Tim Rattay is close behind. Playing with a little extra urgency, Garcia and the 49ers claim their first road victory of the season.

Philadelphia at Carolina - W

Yeah the total record of the teams defeated by the Eagles during their six-game winning streak is just 21-34 (Only Green Bay has a winning record; two wins over New York Giants, but those games became practice for the tough part of the season. It prepared the Eagles for teams like the Panthers and the birds soar over the cats.

Arizona at Chicago - L

Welcome back Emmitt! Smith, the all-time career leading rusher returns to action, playing behind RB Marcel Shipp. During his time injured, Smith tutored Shipp on the seeing the game better. They'll take turns tearing up the Bears, leading the Cardinals to a win.

Atlanta at Houston - W

An excellent defensive effort was all for naught as the Texans offense produced a mere 169 total yards. Thanks to Atlanta's feathery D, Houston's O will complement the defense as the Texans blow through the Falcons.

New England at Indianapolis - W

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady should consider himself lucky. His home was recently broken into, but the only thing stolen was a 27-inch television. His Super Bowl XXXVI MVP trophy wasn't touched...until now. A few Indy defenders take the trophy hostage and tell Brady to throw the game or else. The smarter move would had been to find a way to inspire Colts QB Peyton Manning to finally solve a Bill Belichick-coached defense. In a close affair, the Patriots edge Indy.

Buffalo at New York Giants - L

It takes time to get back to scoring. The Bills offense went cold turkey from touchdowns for a little while so they should slowly work up the nerve to cross the goal line again. They scored two touches which is a little quick for the first time in three weeks. Buffalo will maintain the pace, but won't score much more as the Giants dine on the Bills.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh - W

This is like the bully finally getting his due. The Steelers dominated the series between themselves and Cincy. But the right coaching change and the mail order home workout booklet authored by Charles Atlas has turned the tables and the Bengals ain't takin' crap for the Steelers anymore.

Minnesota at St. Louis - L

OK, let me get this straight. Vikings head coach Mike Tice has noticed his defense has been abused recently. His solution: Get the offense to score more. Hmmmm....how about just play better defense? That works for some, if not more, teams. I see the Rams turning the ball over giving the Vikings the advantage they need to eek out a win.

New Orleans at Washington - W

Redskins head coach Steve Spurrier just apologized to the Washington faithful for the disappointing season, namely for not making the playoffs. With the fans still unsatisfied, Spurrier held another presser and took the heat for the controversial medicare plan approved by the US Senate. There will be plenty of blame to go around when the Saints whip the 'Skins.

Denver at Oakland - L

The NFL is scrutinizing several more Oakland players for questionable substances that could give the team a performance edge. In a report, the league said it believes the Silver and Black players are loading up on spinach an hour before kickoff. It a practice the league has termed, "Popeye-ing". If that's true, then the Raiders should have the strength to beat the Broncos.

Kansas City at San Diego - L

There's been a rise in visits to the dentists by the K.C. players and the reports are not good. All players and coaches who went in for check-ups have been told the enamel on their teeth has been dangerously worn down. That's what happens when you keep winning by the skin of your teeth. The Chiefs will try to sink their teeth into the Chargers, but San Diego's game will be too sweet to handle for the Upset of the Week.

Cleveland at Seattle - W

As impressive as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's 333-yard five touchdown performance was, it's easily forgotten not just because his Seahawks lost, but the defense gave up 41 regulation points to a Baltimore team that previously had an average score equal to some gas prices. This team plays better at home so the Seahawks should ward off the Browns' attack.

Tampa Bay at Jacksonville - L

Jack Del Rio is gonna run out of QBs to bench. He already sat veteran Mark Brunell in favor or rookie Byron Leftwich. Since the offense has struggled lately, the Jacksonville head coach will give David Garrard a chance this week. If he doesn't put up points, then next to get a call will be Gérard Depardieu. Points will be tough to come by as the Buccaneers contain any passer they face this week.

Tennessee at New York Jets - Monday Night - L

Titans quarterback and MVP candidate Steve McNair won't practice this week, but he is expected to play, which comes as no surprise. If McNair can't it looks like the offense would be in good hands with Bobby Volek who played impressively in relief of McNair. If running back Eddie George cracks the century mark again, it goes with saying that the Titans win going away.

Weekly Record: 6-10

Overall Record: 101-91