Randolph's Random Picks

Week 6

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.

It's been said that there is only six degrees of separation between any two individuals. So not only do I indirectly know the President and numerous world leaders, there are connections between me and the likes of Halle Berry, Toni Braxton, and Beyoncé Knowles. Man, I need to work some of these connections.

Finding relationships between NFL players is a snap. But linking a series of players through free agency would be interesting. The goal is to start at one team and go through the whole league, finding links between free agents signed this year at least once for every team. We'll call it 32 degrees of NFL free agency and I'll start it with my home team, the New England Patriots.

One of the first players signed by the Patriots was safety Rodney Harrison. The reviews have been good for the 10-year vet. Thrust into a leadership role, he embraced it and has played solid football. He's enjoying himself, but would had liked it better if he was playing alongside...Buffalo's Lawyer Milloy. Released by N.E. less than a week before the season started, the Bills quickly signed the four-time Pro Bowler and his emotions sparked a convincing win over his former team. Milloy was reunited with other former Pats like fullback Sam Gash and quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe lit things up last year with Buffalo, throwing to the likes of receivers Eric Moulds and...Peerless Price, who is now playing for Atlanta. He was designated the big play threat by the Falcons, but has been slow to make an impact, now that he receives the most attention from defenses. Price desired to be a number one receiver and knew that wouldn't happen if he stayed with Buffalo. Price was traded to Atlanta, and later the Falcons traded...linebacker Mark Simoneau to Philadelphia. Head coach Andy Reid wanted him for the Eagles because the linebacking corps needed an injection of speed. So he traded for Simoneau and thus far is satisfied. He also signed 'backer Nate Wayne at outside linebacker, replacing...Shawn Barber, who left for Kansas City. Barber is part of a Chiefs defense that was supposed to turn it around. So far it had to be bailed out by K.C.'s special teams. Kick/punt returner has been spectacular, already returning four punts/kickoffs for touchdowns. The kicking game is doing well, even without...punter Dan Stryzinski, who departed for the New York Jets. The move was necessary, considering the Jets were raided by...the Washington Redskins. Washington signed away kicker John Hall, guard Randy Thomas, returner/running back Chad Morton, and wide receiver Laveranues Coles from New York and all have contributed, although Coles by far has proved his worth. Morton, on the other hand, hasn't made the impact he hoped because he's part of a backfield by committee. That's because 'Skins head coach Steve Spurrier did not feel his offense didn't need a workhorse like...Stephen Davis, who has been more than Carolina ever expected. His the first player in NFL history to rush for over 100 yards in his first four games with a new team. His complements a Panthers defense that hasn't lost a step after losing...linebacker Hannibal Navies, who left for greener pastures in Green Bay. Navies is learning the grass is always greener on the other side. The Panthers are undefeated while the Packers are 3-2. A former Packer is appreciating his greener grass, even if the grass is fake. After being traded out of Green Bay...to Dallas, wide out Terry Glenn is flourishing under the firm fist of Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells. He molded the underachieving team into a surprising program, putting together a top offense, even without...running back Emmitt Smith, the franchise icon and all-time leader in rushing yards. Parcells did not want Smith on the team because he wanted a fresh start. Smith tried to start fresh in Arizona, but it has been disappointing thus far and got worse now that Smith came back to Dallas, finished with minus one yard on six carries, and hurt his shoulder. The Cardinals signed Smith as a P.R. move, much like the decision not to re-sign...wide receiver David Boston. Arizona let him leave because they had concerns about his character. Boston proved 'Zona right early on with his new team, San Diego. He frustrated not opposing defenses, but head coach Marty Schottenheimer, until he suspended the star of the Chargers' free agent acquisitions. Thanks to a 181-yard, two touchdown performance last week, he gave fans a glimmer of hope during a difficult season. The fans need something to be happy about because they weren't happy when the franchise traded...linebacker Junior Seau to Miami. A promising S.D. defense last year, it has fallen apart without their leader for nine years. But Miami, already a defensive force in the league, is benefiting from the play and pressence of Seau. The Dolphins passing offense has young impact players including tight end Randy McMichaels. He's the reason the team was able to afford letting...Desmond Clark go to Chicago. He's the over the middle threat the Bears offense lacked to complement receivers Marty Booker and David Terrell. Absent from the receiving corps is...Marcus Robinson, who settled down in Baltimore to play with the Ravens. Unfortunately he's relegated to the bench, playing behind Frank Sanders. It's a situation that's similar to...Brandon Stokley's. He moved on to Indianapolis and is now backing up Reggie Wayne. How much that bothers him is questionable because he's on a team that's 5-0. Leaving the Colts might bother...linebacker Mike Peterson, who departed for Jacksonville. His Jaguars are a wonderful 1-4. At least that was expected. The Jags aren't disappointing their fans like...Pittsburgh who signed away Todd Fordham from Jacksonville. The Steelers are an ugly 2-3 following two blowouts to Cleveland just last week and Tennessee. Pittsburgh's defense gave up six sacks total in those games. Maybe they miss...offensive tackle Wayne Gandy who went to New Orleans. His services were needed after the Saints traded...OT Kyle Turley to St. Louis. The Rams really like the aggressiveness Turley brought to the line. Expect St. Louis to run behind him often. But the blocking of...Chris Hetherington was no longer desired. He found a new home in Oakland with the Raiders, backing up Zack Crockett. Unfortunately the Raiders are realizing that, as a team, they are too old on offense. At least the defense has decent infusion of youth, especially at corner back, where Phillip Buchannon is being groomed to replace...Tory James. He landed on his feet in Cincinnati with the Bengals. He already has an interception this season. That's half as many thrown by...Minnesota's Gus Ferrotte. After suffering with Cincy last year, the vet moved on to the Vikings and had two fabulous starts, going undefeated and throwing seven touchdowns. He can't take all the credit. Ferrotte thanks his offensive line that includes two former...New York Giants in tackles Chris Liwienski and Mike Rosenthal. Because of the departures, New York's offensive line is going through some growing pains. With the O-line being a concern, New York turned their attention towards the defense and signed...defensive end Keith Washington from Denver. Not that it bothers the Broncos. Their defense is doing fine. Not all free agent signings turn out good. Denver plucked...linebacker Quincy Stewart from San Francisco. He didn't even make Denver's roster. The 49ers are in the hands of new head coach Dennis Erickson. He's a part of the Bill Walsh coaching brotherhood that includes...Steve Mariucci, who is now with Detroit, trying to turn around a franchise that had a couple of down years. Part of restoring the Lions included overhauling the defense. That's why Mariucci brought in...linebacker Earl Holmes from Cleveland. Browns head coach Butch Davis now depends on three young LBs to make plays for his defense. Holmes wasn't the only LB to exit...Dwayne Rudd headed south to Tampa Bay and joined the Buccaneers. Rudd first played for Minnesota, after being drafted out of the University of Alabama. It's the same school running back Shawn Alexander played for before entering the NFL with...Seattle. Alexander helped welcome the likes of defensive end Chike Okeafor and safety Damien Robinson to the team. The Seahawks was the only team to switch conferences, from the AFC, to the NFC, following expansion last year. The league also divided each conference into four divisions, the new division being the South. That's where...Tennessee can be found with new center John Wade, signed from Jacksonville, a divisional rival. The Titans go into battle with their new center, traveling to...Houston, to take on the Texans, who made a couple of signings from Jacksonville as well. They brought in O-lineman Zach Weigert and running back Stacey Mack.

And that's 32 degrees of NFL separation. This is just one way to go about it, as the connections between players through free agency is more like a web instead of a chain. Which makes sense on more than one level. Pun intended, it's a tangled web weaved by the league. Also, since on the subject of web, it's almost Halloween! It would be the coolest decoration putting NFL logos of all NFL teams on a cotton web and hang it on your door. You have Sunday night to do it with no game on at 8:30 this week.

As for myself, I linked together enough wins to have my first winning week! Hopefully it's the first link in a winning streak.

Oakland at Cleveland - W

Oh, stop it! Whoever is sparkin' up them rumors about Cleveland quarterback Tim Couch remaining as the starting quarterback need to quit it. The only reason he's doing well is because he's looking over his shoulder. Once the pressure is off him, Couch will go back to throwing picks. There's a good chance he'll throw one this week, but the Browns will overcome any errors to knock off the Raiders.

Philadelphia at Dallas - L

I would had never thought that head coach Bill Parcells could turn the Cowboys around this quickly. Actually, it's kinda too early to say that. This is their first litmus test of the year. Give 'em props for racing out to a 3-1 record, but those wins came against Arizona, the winless New York Jets, and the New York Giants who have no idea what defense is. Philly plays D, and that will be the difference in an Eagles win.

Kansas City at Green Bay - L

What kick/punt returner Dante Hall has done is amazing. He's had a return in each of the last four games for K.C. In the last two, his returns were the difference in the wins. ESPN's Sean Salisbury said any coach that kicks to Hall should be fired. Teams must kickoff inbounds, but punting out of bounds is OK. G.B. punter Josh Bidwell knows what to do. It will be the what gets the Packers past the Chiefs.

Carolina at Indianapolis - L

He might be a idiot kicker, but you don't need to be a genius to kick in the NFL. Indy quarterback Peyton Manning is happy to have Mike Vanderjagt on his team, especially after the game-winning kick to beat Tampa Bay. That foot will come in handy as they take on 'Lina. His contributions aid the Colts getting over the Panthers.

Miami at Jacksonville - W

Being a rookie quarterback is a learning experience. The 'Ville's Byron Leftwich learns this week what it's like to face a real NFL defense. He better bring a five subject notebook with him. Use it for notes and for padding because the Dolphins will deliver a hard lesson.

New York Giants at New England - W

Three yards and Cloud bursts through the line. Mike Cloud, just off of a NFL suspension, was major for N.E. in his debut. His 73 yards gave the ground game the extra juice it needed to upset Tennessee. The coaching staff will resist going to the well too much, as they can't expect 161 yards rushing every week from the offense. Besides, they're going after one of the worst passing defenses in the league. The Patriots take to the air and fly past the Giants.

Chicago at New Orleans - L

Chi-town has a long way to go before they are regarded as the Monsters of the Midway. The bigger problem is N.O. if they don't pick up their game soon. If the Saints continue to lay down weekly, they will be regarded as the B*tches of the Bayou. The Saints get smacked around by the Bears.

Houston at Tennessee - W

Looks like time and abuse has caught up to Tennessee's Eddie George. Thanks to the ball-control offense, he will get 100 yards in a game here and there. It just will take him 30 or more carries to do so. Running back Chris Brown was drafted for a reason. George might start looking over his shoulder, but it could be as soon as next season that he sees Brown ahead of him on the depth chart. For now, the two combine to drive the Titans to victory.

Tampa Bay at Washington - W

I hope Lavar Arrington does it. After seeing T.B.'s Warren Sapp skip through the Indianapolis team during their stretching routine, the Washington linebacker said he would go after Sapp if he repeated his pre-game antic. He also said he'd hit him if he lined up at tight end. Yo Lavar, take it one step further. If Sapp catches a TD, hit him so we don't have to see another bad celebration dance. Arrington might shut down Sapp, but the rest of the Buccaneers get theirs as they defeat the Redskins.

Baltimore at Arizona - W

Emmitt, if watching your daughter play in a soccer game is "what it is all about" for you, then why are you still playing? Now out indefinitely with a injured shoulder, the Cardinals running back has more time to see his little girl play her sport. Maybe she has a game on Sunday because Smith might not want to see his Cards get folded by the Ravens.

Pittsburgh at Denver - W

Someone, please put a plate in front of Denver's Jake Plummer. Did he get his nickname "The Snake" for his play or for his sinewy build? His throwing shoulder is ailing and possibly will keep him out of the game. Few people are questioning if Plummer has the brains to be a quarterback. Now we wonder if he has the body. Even without Plummer, the Broncos have enough to extend the Steelers' losing streak.

Buffalo at New York Jets - W

Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe isn't having the season he had last year because wide out Peerless Price is no longer with the team and Josh Reed hasn't been up to the task of replacing him. Now Eric Moulds, the team's best threat, is unlikely to play. They might as well tie Bledsoe's throwing arm down. He'll feel that way without his top weapons. There won't be much Bledsoe can do as the Jets beat the Bills for the Upset of the Week.

San Francisco at Seattle - W

Forecasts at Seahawks Stadium is heavy clouds of anger with showers of expletives and Sharpies raining on San Fran wide out Terrell Owens. Remember, it was a road game against Seattle that Owens signed a football he just scored a touchdown with. Owens gets extra attention this week from the defense. Don't write-off the Seahawks just yet. They rub off the 49ers a week after the blowout loss to Green Bay.

Atlanta at St. Louis - Monday Night - W

Brenda Warner is at it again. Last week, she made comments on a St. Louis radio station saying she and her husband, quarterback Kurt Warner, wouldn't have a problem moving to play elsewhere. That's not the only forum where her words are causing agitation. Rams head coach Mike Martz had the offensive coordinator move out the press box and onto the sideline for communication purposes. It also gives Brenda another target to yell at during games about playing her husband. Martz got tired of taking all of it. Brenda won't be heard over the cheers of the St. Louis faithful as the Rams do a number of the Falcons.

Bye: Cincinnati, Detroit, Minnesota, San Diego

Weekly Record: 10-4

Overall Record: 44-44