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.
Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett wants to duplicate the huge splash he made in his first collegiate game when he enters the NFL. He's on the verge of doing so, but in the courtroom first. After taking time to consult with personal advisors and lawyers, the talented would-be college sophomore launched a lawsuit against the NFL, challenging the current league rule that determines a individual's eligibility for the NFL Draft. The plan is to play in the league by next year's regular season, or be selected in a supplemental draft this year. Give the kid credit for having some serious balls to take on the league. I wish him all the luck in the world in his professional career, but I truly hope he loses this court battle.
Clarett believes his chances of winning this suit are good. Experts agree. And why not? Look at the landscape of professional sports. Kids go straight from high school to the pros in tennis, baseball, hockey, and basketball. The NFL is the only league that has rules that declares that a player is eligible for the draft three years after his high school graduation. Clarett and his legal team will attack this stipulation claiming discrimination under antitrust laws.
Clearly there's two ways this can go. First is if the NFL succeeds. It won't be a long celebration, as the league will quickly convene to galvanize the current eligibility rule to make sure if anybody else tries to sue the league for advanced eligibility, their chances are next to none.
The other side of the legal brief is, of course, if Clarett beats the league. Good for him, but it might not be over then. The NFL won't give up easily. Expect appeal after appeal. The league might use delay tactics even before the case opens to frustrate Clarett. If he gets through all the paperwork, continues to rub his attorneys in hopes that magic happens and ultimately does win in time for the 2004 NFL Draft, then he gets his wish. But just like genies, getting your wish carries bad consequences. The end results for Clarett and the league could be far from desirable.
Naturally, the league will expect an initial trickle of high schoolers declaring themselves for the draft (Very few annually would be considered good enough, considering just nine out of every 10,000 high school football players actually get drafted after playing at the college level). The physical numbers might say they belong, but height and weight don't tell the whole story. Very few, if any, would be ready for the NFL. High schoolers benefit greatly by adhering to a collegiate strength and conditioning program. The gains they make in strength and streamlining their bodies help them reach their peak at college and prepares them for a possible pro career.
In college, these kids have the time to develop. The NFL isn't patient. Teams don't have time or roster space to develop players for two or three years. And it's not just physical development. College players have plenty of problems adapting to the pro level. A high schooler's chances of catching up is miniscule. Football is too complicated to pick up over the course of minicamp and training camp. There are running backs currently in the league that don't pick up blitz assignments well. Could a high school quarterback digest a pro playbook over the course of four months and execute it? Doubtful. What about offensive linemen picking up line calls and anticipating blitzes? Forget about it. And adjustments for all defensive players? Similar to being lost in deep woods without a map and compass. Those are the difficulties a high school graduate would face if they make it to the big time. And that depends on if they make it.
Drafts are stocked with college seniors and early entry juniors (and now sophomores and freshmen hypothetically speaking). High schoolers best hopes might be to make the practice squad because a team won't risk a selection on an individual who didn't play against top competition. The salary is a very small fraction of what a first round draft pick signs for, making the early entry not worth it. Entering the league this early is a huge gamble, especially since there is no minor league to fall back on. That's one advantage the other three major leagues have on the NFL. The NHL and MLB have minor leagues of various abilities to slowly develop players over the course of years. The NBA recently created the NBDL for the very same reason. The closest semblance of a minor league the NFL has is NFL Europe, and that's a difficult transition. It's tough enough learning to live on one's own away from home. How about in another country? How many teens would be mature enough to deal with being that far away from home and being isolated from society? The other option is the Canadian Football League, but that's not much better.
The NCAA recently revised eligibility rules to allow high school basketball players who do not get drafted to still go to college and play. Hopefully those changes apply to football athletes. A better idea mirror the rules for drafted baseball players. Baseball players can get drafted and still play college ball until the individual decides to go pro. This best suits high schoolers who would get drafted for the NFL since the chances of being ready for the league upon being drafted are slight to begin with.
A court victory would make Clarett a pioneer for challenging the league and coming out on top. Then the hard part starts: Convincing scouts. Right now scouts know about him, but not much. Players don't get evaluated until their junior season in college. They know little about Clarett and his talents. He can do all pre-draft workouts he wants, but it's not as convincing an argument as playing at the college level. Clarett played one year at Ohio State. And while it was spectacular, there are still questions about his potential. He was injury-prone that season and had his share of fumbles. Also there's the question of how fast he really is. On top of that, the film on Clarett is dated back to 2002. The lack of recent performances might further lower his pre-draft grade.
But the biggest question about Clarett is his character. Going over his freshman year, he called the athletic department liars over paperwork to get a leave from the team to attend a friend's funeral. He argued with assistant coaches on the sideline. Over the spring, he had run-ins with Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel. And, of course, lying about the value of items stolen from a car borrowed from a dealership. If these transgressions are weighed against him, it will push him maybe out of the first round.
Undeterred, Clarett goes forward with the lawsuit. Besides the good chances of winning, he's confident he will be a impact pro. Getting a favorable decision will send a shockwave through the league trailed by ripples for years. If Clarett is unable to do the same when he straps on the pads, he will be a disappointment that will be forgotten much sooner.
Kansas City at Baltimore - W
There's only so far a stout defense can carry a team. Yes, the Ravens won it all in 2001 by that formula, but this D won't break any of those records or come close. The Chiefs have good offense-defense balance and that will be the difference in a K.C. win.
Philadelphia at Buffalo - L
A friend at work who follows Philly says another home loss will encourage fans to begin defiling the new Lincoln Financial Stadium just like they did Veteran's Stadium. Does that mean if the Eagles lose a road game, all Philadelphia fans take a leak in their living rooms? Expect the Eagles to stink it up at Ralph Wilson Stadium as the Bills dispose of Philly.
Atlanta at Carolina - W
Half way though the second quarter, Doug Johnson will be thinking if he's experiencing déjà vu. The quarterback was harassed by Tampa Bay last week. The only thing that changes is the color of the uniforms as the Panthers swarm and shred the Falcons.
Cincinnati at Cleveland - L
The tables are turned on Cleveland quarterback Kelly Holcomb. He will sit with a fractured leg, surrendering at least one start to Tim Couch, the man he replaced last year when Couch broke his leg. As excited as Couch may be about the start, he shouldn't get his hopes up about possibly taking back the starting job. In the meantime, Couch helps the Browns get by the Bengals.
Jacksonville at Houston - L
An NFL investigation has revealed that the Texans already aquired running back Maurice Clarett. The organization never thought of keeping him, though. Since they drafted quarterback Drew Henson, who's currently playing baseball, the front office just wanted to imagine the A.W.O.L. QB handing off to somebody. The Jaguars passer Mark Brunell in reality turns to RB Fred Taylor and the duo flattens the Texans.
San Francisco at Minnesota - L
The big question in the Twin City is can the Vikings win a game without quarterback Daunte Culpepper. He's off to a incandescent start, propelling Minnesota to a 3-0 record. Though the Vikes are home, their best chance is to stay ahead all game long and hope that San Fran's Cedric Wilson catches another pass with seconds remaining and stupidly keeps running around for more yardage. The Vikings shouldn't hold their breath for that as the 49ers blow them away.
Tennessee at Pittsburgh - W
What is he, Ironman? Playing with a ring finger that was dislocated last week, Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair completed 67 percent of his passes for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. They day McNair says he feels 100 percent, a teammate will attack him before the game in fear he might not play his best when healthy. McNair and the Titans bring the pain to Pittsburgh and lay a beating on the Steelers.
Arizona at St. Louis - W
Win one game, and all of a sudden 'Zona thinks they are playoff contenders. In fact, the players look at this game against St. Louis as a "trap" game. If the Rams are a trap team, then the Cardinals fall for it.
New England at Washington - L
Keep an eye on the substitution patterns of these teams. Offensively, they both employ the running back by committee approach. There's a good chance a player will be in the wrong backfield. Once all the confusion is sorted out, the Patriots emerge victorious.
San Diego at Oakland - L
Possibly the two biggest disappointments in the league right now. At least S.D. has youth on their side. The Raiders have six players over the age of 37. If you don't think it's a big deal, then consider this: When they run wind sprints in practice, the team does it in wheelchairs. Thanks to fully functioning legs, the Chargers speed past Oakland.
Detroit at Denver - W
I'm starting to come around in regards to quarterback Jake Plummer. He's performed well in his last two games. Besides, one player won't drag the whole Denver team down. The defense is fierce and the most technical offensive line can open holes for anybody. The team puts on another clinic as the Broncos paste the Lions.
Dallas at New York Jets - L
Anyone criticizing Jets head coach Herman Edwards for calling for a fake field goal in the second quarter is an idiot. If it works, he's a genius and maybe New York edges New England. He reiterated that teams play to win games. Must Herm print T-shirts with "Play to Win" printed on them for everyone to understand where he's coming from? His Jets get the message and they come through as they defeat the Cowboys.
Indianapolis at New Orleans - W
Quarterback Peyton Manning plays against the team his father spent his career with. Archie Manning played on numerous losing N.O. teams and still made the Hall of Fame. Historians speculate that the senior Manning would had won championships on other teams with quality players around him. Peyton plays on an Indy team with wide receiver Marvin Harrison to throw to and Edgerrin James to hand off to. Pressure? What pressure? Peyton is on pace to smash his father's records. Along the way towards history, the younger Manning and the Colts get the better of the Saints.
Green Bay at Chicago - Monday Night - L
After an embarrassing loss to Arizona, it's hard to imagine that the Packers wouldn't bounce back. Well I have a vivid imagination and I'm dreaming of a Bears win for the Upset of the Week.
Home | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 | Wild Cards | Divisionals | Conference Championships
|
Super Bowl XXXVIII