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.
If you haven't seen the commercials, then you haven't been watching ESPN. I'm talking about "Playmakers", the ESPN Original Entertainment program that takes viewers into the lives of the players for a professional football team called the Cougars.
Hearing about the program induced eye-rolling, as I thought to myself, "Great. 'Any Given Sunday' in a weekly format." I could care less about watching the show, but I gave it a try because there wasn't much going on late at night (I think I was folding laundry and putting it away. I figured, what's the harm. Let's see what all the hype ESPN is trying to generate). It was the first and last time I watch it.
For one, it's more like "NYPD Blue" in pads. The football action is minimal. Out of an hour show, there was maybe four minutes of football action total. On top of that, it action wasn't convincing. But that was never the goal of the show. They follow the lives of a handful of players over the course of a season, mostly off the field, and make it raw. To execute that, there's mild nudity and over use of the word, "shit."
More than anything, it was the lack of any fresh ideas. I understand that art imitates life, but this show would infringe on several copyrights on actual occurrences if possible because there was no effort to hide the obvious reenactments (It's very ironic, come to think of it. Maybe the readers picked up on it if they analyzed the second sentence. It's supposedly original entertainment but they use a team name Cougars, which is close to the NFL's Panthers, the name of an actual NFL team. Come to think of it, both teams wear blue and silver. Geez, how come I didn't catch that earlier?).
The episode I caught was called "The Choice." In this one episode, I saw:
And all those incidents happened to one player! In the course of a week, he lived out Terrell Owens' "Sharpie", Leon Lett's infamous Super Bowl fumble, and Ray Lewis ' involvement in a post-Super Bowl murder. Does a Shannon Sharpe-like player step out and vehemently defend him to the media in the next episode? (Heh, that's funny. Where do I come up with some of these? Maybe my aunt is right. Maybe I should be in Hollywood. Oh, wait a minute. I'm still writing.) Did I mention he has a drug problem? He snorts coke, but a drug problem could be one of several players. Other ideas ripped straight from the headlines is a player who pushed his wife down a short flight of stairs, therefore creating a domestic abuse situation, and a depressed linebacker who saw a shrink and is on medication. If you're thinking along the lines of Warren Moon for the first example and Barrett Robbins for the latter, you're onto something.
Other things caught my attention. Cameras don't stay still when they should. If it's not quick zooms, the camera moves around annoyingly. It's a distraction within itself. There's also a lot of self-narration, as occasionally the thoughts of a player are heard in moments when the player is thinking about what's on his mind (Man I'm thirsty right now. I could go for a glass of water. Hold on a moment.......................................................Ahh! Refreshing! I just gotta remember to buy some more. I'm hungry too, but let me write just a little bit more).
Was there anything good in the show? Well, in one scene, music from Boston rapper Akrobatic was played in the background. Unfortunately, it was in a scene where the star running back was doing a line.
This show fits better on the Lifetime network. I like my football with drama only when there's less than two minutes on the clock with a team driving for the win or tie. The only playmakers I want to watch are real ones that make stories on the field, not off of it.
Speaking of playmakers, if a few of them made plays when it counted, I would be looking at 10-6 instead of 7-9. I need to bounce back and soon before I really get in a hole. It's gonna be a little tougher now that bye weeks begin.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta - W
Film sessions were tough for the Falcons. The last time these teams met was in the playoffs and it was ugly as they had no answer for T.B.'s fast defense. Quarterback Michael Vick can relay his horror stories to Doug Johnson to warn him but it won't come close to the actual experience. In what looks like a replay of the NFC Divisional game, the Buccaneers scare the fight out of the Falcons.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati - L
It was a vast improvement for Cincy between game one and game two. They more than held their own against a hobbled Oakland team and almost picked up a win. This week, they close the deal as the Bengals surprise the Steelers for the Upset of the Week.
Minnesota at Detroit - W
The warm glow of the season opening win quickly got chilled thanks to a pasting on the road. usually home cooking can remedy painful losses, but Minnesota played home-wreckers in week one. The Vikings refresh the role and feed the Lions a fresh can O' Whoop-ass.
Kansas City at Houston - W
Texans quarterback David Carr spent part of the week training with the running backs. While he's rarely gonna beat opponents with his feet, the move he put on a defender near the goal line, on his way to a rushing touchdown, is something the ball carriers should learn from him. The other option is to watch K.C.'s Priest Holmes. He'll put on a clinic as the Chiefs take Houston to school.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis - W
Don't take too much stock in the 7-of-8 for 92 yards and a touchdown pass performance by the 'Ville's quarterback Byron Leftwich. It was done against second and third stringers. At the moment, QB Mark Brunell is still the team's best chance of winning. Note, I said best chance. The way the Colts are playing so far, the Jaguars chances don't look good.
New York Jets at New England - W
So, an analyst who talked to no one on the team was able to determine the N.E. players hate head coach Bill Belichick. Not to say the analyst is all wrong. Some players may hate Belichick right now, but they love the profession and more so the money they make from it. Isn't that reason enough to play well? It will be New York who pay the price as the Patriots dismantle the Jets.
New Orleans at Tennessee - L
Titans quarterback Steve McNair is hurt? You've got to be kidding me! That never happens! Honestly, who saw the replay that showed his crooked finger? It reminded me of USC head coach Pete Carroll's right hand. He has a permanently crooked ring finger on his right hand. It wouldn't surprise me if McNair plays, but the injury to his throwing hand possibly will hamper him. It's the advantage the visiting Saints need as they beat the Titans.
Green Bay at Arizona - L
He might never say it publicly, but running back Emmitt Smith might want out of Arizona. He wanted to go to a place he'd be the starter. Get got his wish, but signing on as part of a public relations move is going to wear on Smith. The low point was standing on a corner in a Cardinal mascot outfit to draw potential fans to home games. Fans will come this week, but they want to see quarterback Brett Favre and the Packers pick apart the Cards.
St. Louis at Seattle - L
Despite the number of injures over the last couple of years, I don't believe that St. Louis quarterback Kurt Warner is done. There's a simple remedy for Warner the next time he's in the game. Change your jersey number from 13 to 10. If head coach Mike Martz falls for it, he will call a balanced game instead of throwing the weight of the offense all on Warner's shoulders. Running back Marshall Faulk helps QB Marc Bulger carry the Rams offense in a win over the Seahawks.
New York Giants at Washington - W
Here's a way to describe the Monday night performance of the Giants: "Free game! Free game! Need a win? Well here's your opportunity! Get your free game right here! First come, first serve!" Now, to describe New York's approach to this week's game: "Sorry, were' just out of free games. You'll have to earn this one the hard way." The Redskins might put up a fight, but the Giants ultimately knock out the 'Skins.
Baltimore at San Diego - L
The story of Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis predicting he would break the single game rushing record sounds like a stretch. It sounds more like trash talking, since his friend played for opposing Cleveland. I'll call it a prediction when I see Lewis wearing colorful robes in commercials with a 900-number, saying he can give callers their fortunes. A come from behind Chargers win is something Lewis and the Ravens don't see coming.
Cleveland at San Francisco - L
Who started the rumor that Browns head coach Butch Davis set up his quarterback Kelly Holcomb to fail by selecting him as the starter for the early, difficult part of the season. No coach tries to lose on purpose. That only happens in the NBA. There's too much at stake now as they have their eye on making the playoffs. One eye will get blacked as the 49ers beat on the Browns.
Buffalo at Miami - L
The Bills was one of the teams that helped spoil the Dolphins plans of reaching the playoffs last year. While revenge may on the minds of the Miami players, they also see that they are now chasing Buffalo who now sits atop the AFC East. The Fins are focused on knocking them down a notch to earn a share of the lead. It will be entertaining, but Miami will come up short as the Bills hold off the Dolphins challenge.
Oakland at Denver - Monday Night - L
Broncos head coach Mike Shannahan caught a lot of flak for lying about the injury Denver quarterback Jake Plummer suffered last week, calling a separated shoulder a concussion to keep it secret from San Diego. Shannahan didn't want the opponents knowing Plummer couldn't throw. Shannahan needed a lie to hide the fact that Plummer can't throw? I still have my doubts about Plummer and some will be confirmed as the Raiders edge the Broncos.
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Super Bowl XXXVIII