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.
Any franchise would want San Francisco wide receiver Terrell Owens on their team. But would the players want him as a teammate?
That's the question regarding the All-Pro wide receiver, playing out a contract and approaching free agency at the end of this season. After his latest blowup on the sideline caught on camera, he might want to get into spin control.
Unless the 49ers franchise him, Owens will have his choice to go wherever he wants. If Owens leaves San Fran, undoubtedly there will be a bidding war for his services and there will be a big 'ol press conference where he holds up a "81" jersey of a different color and Owens says how happy he is to be with this new franchise and wants to help the team to a championship. Flashes pop as Owens flashes his new multi-million dollar smile.
Great honeymoon. Wait until the marriage gets under way.
How long before he blows up again? He doesn't have a problem calling out teammates through the media. He doesn't hesitate to blast coaches during games in front of a viewing nation. Is this the kind of player a franchise wants?
It was supposed to be different. Former Niners head coach Steve Mariucci is gone, a move spurred on by Owens and quarterback Jeff Garcia. In his place is Dennis Erickson who praised Owens for embracing a leadership role with the team. The offense was going to be aggressive, taking more chances to throw deep, qualities desired by Owens and Garcia. So far, Owens' longest reception is 27 yards. He's off to a slow start and just was shown up by the other premiere wide out in the league, Minnesota's Randy Moss, in an embarrassing 49ers loss. Moss finished with 172 yards and three highlight reel touchdowns. Owens got five catches for 55 yards. Late in the game, Owens was caught verbally abusing offensive coordinator Greg Knapp on the sideline.
It's possible San Francisco turns it around, reaches the playoffs, Owens puts together a great season, earns another Pro Bowl selection, re-signs with the Niners and declares that he always wanted to stay with the team. But if things don't get better, a bitter Owens could be cancerous in the locker room. It might be in San Fran's best interest to part ways with Terrell.
Owens' outburst always look ugly. The truth is, he's showing his passion to win. He obviously cares about results and is willing to do everything within his power to help the team. He's a complete receiver, a complement many receivers in the league are not worthy of, who takes as much pride in blocking as he does scoring touchdowns. But Owens hasn't learned to channel his desire in a positive way. Owens lets it out in a very wrong way. He lacks maturity and unless Owens grows up, he won't be welcomed onto every team.
If the 49ers decide it's better to move on without him, they lose it's top playmaker. Likely they'd trade Owens for a high first round draft pick or two or a handful of selections. With the anticipated depth of the draft, it could be a gamble that works in their favor.
Garcia is 33 years old. Age and injuries are becoming a concern. With a high first round draft pick, San Fran could draft a franchise quarterback. There will be decent pool of passers available. If the Niners fall well short of the playoffs and happen get another high first round draft pick, they could also draft one of the blue chip wide receivers that will be eligible, and there will be a few to choose from. The top wide outs are all big targets with speed that fit the mold of a 49ers receiver. The only knock is taking a year or three developing the new talents. But if it leads to a peaceful locker room, then San Francisco is better off.
And what fate awaits Owens? He will have suitors, but they will approach him cautiously. Arizona surprised the league when they let wide out David Boston leave because of character issues. Boston signed with San Diego and so far has more suspensions (one) than touchdowns (non) after four games. Owens' character will be on trial if San Francisco decides they don't want him back. Considering his outbursts and on-field displays to draw the spotlight onto himself, his approval rating might be a shaky as the President's.
But this is all speculation. Owens could grow up and learn to channel his emotions in positive ways and make good impressions on teammates and around the league. That's a lot to prove with 13 weeks left in the season. For now his reputation stands out more than his statistics.
Talking about slow starts, check me out with another -2 week, finishing with a 6-8 record. I need to get out of this funk.
Minnesota at Atlanta - W
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick sees that the team is 1-3 and is now thinking, "What's the rush? If we can't win again by the time I'm healthy, then maybe I should sit for the year and we can try again in 2004?" His hopes for the Falcons winning this week without him are low and understandably so. The Vikings sink the Falcons.
Cincinnati at Buffalo - W
The Bills worked out 16 players last week, in search of new additions to the team. With all those players coming in and out, it apparently didn't leave coach Greg Williams enough time to work out and prepare the team, contributing to the loss to Philadelphia. He puts his focus on the team and turns around the Bills' losing streak.
New Orleans at Carolina - W
To be fair, N.O. was without five defensive starters including two defensive linemen and two members of the secondary last week when Indianapolis put on their scoreboard light show. The health situation won't be any better this week. The secondary is still recovering from severe burns on their confidence. It's the D-line's turn to take abuse as the Panthers pound away until the Saints buckle.
Oakland at Chicago - L
Congratulations to Raiders center Barrett Robbins for returning to start for Oakland. Hopefully his teammates accepted him and don't take issue for Robbins' bi-polar disorder episode before the Super Bowl. For fun, Robbins called line assignments for his linemates and his two personalities. Oakland won't be distracted by Robbins' joke but the Bears will be confused as the Raiders get the upper hand.
Arizona at Dallas - W
Remember 'Zona running back Emmitt Smith saying his former Dallas teammates were trash in a Sports Illustrated article? One man's trash is another man's treasure as Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells has the 'Boys playing like a new team. So now, what does he call his Cardinals teammates? The Cowboys clean up the Cardinals.
Seattle at Green Bay - L
Glad to see Seattle running back Shawn Alexander has his priorities straight. He missed the early part of the last win to be at his wife's side for the birth of his child. He will soon learn what a relief road games will be, getting a quiet night of sleep. Alexander and the Seahawks will be well rested to knock out the Packers.
Denver at Kansas City - W
Game of the week. Denver quarterback Jake Plummer after a three interception opening game has settled down and hasn't thrown a pick since while connecting for seven touchdowns. The streak ends as does the Broncos' winning tear as the Chiefs defend their home turf.
Tennessee at New England - L
Questions are being raised about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and whether he truly belongs as one of the elite QBs of the league. He earned some of the criticsm, but it's not like he has great parts surrounding him. The bigger problem will be Tennessee defenders surrounding Brady on pass plays. They keep Brady under pressure as the Titans put the squeeze on the Patriots.
Miami at New York Giants - W
Ricky Williams is a beast. The Dolphin running back did not wear down late in the game even as he rolled with the rock for 35, 36, 38, all the way to 42 carries. And he never fumbled. Try that with New York's Tiki Barber. If he gets to 30, any carry after that is like Russian Roulette. I'll take my chances with Williams and the Dolphins.
San Diego at Jacksonville - W
There's no excuse for S.D. They had a stellar day from running back LaDanian Tomlinson wasted when the defense couldn't hold on to a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. Come to think of it, maybe if the defense held more instead of letting Oakland's wide receiver run free, they would had won the game. Game-breaking wide out Jimmy Smith returns for the Jaguars as they pull away from the Chargers.
Washington at Philadelphia - L
Donovan McNabb was smiling again in Buffalo, always a good sign Philly. When the Eagles quarterback's game face looks like Batman's The Joker, it's usually bad news for opponents. That grin turns grim as the Redskins takes all the fun out of Philadelphia's game in the Upset of the Week.
Detroit at San Francisco - W
"I'm Charles Rogers. I had 68 catches and 13 touchdowns," in his final college season as a receiver for Michigan State, he declared in a EA Sports Madden commercial. Expecting similar production in his rookie season is asking too much, but he's on his way towards a solid debut year. Rogers adds to his stats, but it won't be enough as his Lions fall short of the 49ers.
Cleveland at Pittsburgh - L
Cleveland fans gave the Browns players the business for losing to Cincinnati last week. The heckling irritated quarterback Tim Couch and offensive tackle Ryan Tucker so much that they yelled back at the fans. Maybe Couch should had asked for advice since his late game interception ended any chance of a comeback win. The Browns won't be close to coming from behind on the Steelers.
Indianapolis at Tampa Bay - Monday Night - L
For the first time, the pirate ship at one endzone of Raymond James Stadium will have live ammunition loaded in the cannons and trained gunners. It's part of the cover deep scheme that literally shoots down any long Peyton Manning passes to his Indy receivers. This new wrinkle helps the Buccaneers get the better of the Colts.
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Super Bowl XXXVIII