These are the picks for the 2004 season. 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.
After 10 weeks, it is the moment all Giants fans have been waiting for. Quarterback Kurt Warner did better than expected until recently, absorbing 24 sacks in the last four games during his slumping play. Head coach Tom Coughlin feels something needs to be done and will pull Warner in favor of rookie first round pick Eli Manning. The kid has some big footsteps to follow considering the pace set by rookie QBs that started before him this year.
Expecting Manning to equal the results produced by Ben Roethlisberger is ridiculous. But, then again, no one would had expected Roethlisberger to start his career 7-0. Big Ben has shown maturity that's very uncommon for a rookie playing the most complicated position. He's already drawn some very complimentary comparisons to the likes of Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw and Dan Marino. Roethlisberger shouldn't worry about his bronze bust because he and the Pittsburgh Steelers are worried about remaining in the driver's seat to the playoffs.
Roethlisberger will be remembered as the third QB selected in the 2004 draft, behind Manning and San Diego's Phillip Rivers. All the attention was on Manning and Rivers as Manning announced his refusal to play for the Chargers if they drafted him. S.D. ignored Manning's pleas and took him first overall, only to trade him to New York for Rivers and draft picks. Seven picks later, Ben was drafted by Pittsburgh with next to no fanfare.
Manning lost a close competition with Warner for the opportunity to start. Rivers had an extended holdout that compromised his chance to compete for the starting job. By the time he moved up to second on the depth chart, Drew Brees caught fire and kept Rivers on the bench. Roethlisberger was behind Tommy Maddox until Maddox went down in the second game in the season. The rest is history.
Manning shouldn't get caught up in statistics but believe in results. It is what keeps Kurt Krenzel starting for the Chicago Bears. He's yet to lose in three starts by keeping mistakes to a minimum and getting the ball to his playmakers.
What Krenzel has done doesn't get the same attention because Chicago had a losing record by the time Krenzel became the starter. Also, he's a fifth round pick. But All he does is win, which is something he did with Ohio State, winning a national championship. He was 24-3 as a starter during his college career and continues that success at the pro level.
Other rookies worth mentioning:
This draft class will also be remembered for the number of wide receivers selected in the first round. Some of those first rounders have been very productive. Top of the class so far has been Roy Williams of Detroit. When Charles Rogers went down with a broken collarbone, Williams became the go-to receiver and made plays beyond expectations. Also thrust into a lead role because of injury is Larry Fitzgerald of Arizona. Anquan Boldin, the offensive rookie of the year in 2003, missing the first half of the season led to Fitzgerald becoming the primary target for quarterback Josh McCown. And Lee Evans in Buffalo is starting to emerge, with a two touchdown game against the New York Jets.
Only one running back was selected in the first round and while Stephen Jackson merely backs up Marshall Faulk in St. Louis, he makes the most of his carries, averaging 5.2 yards per tote.
The University of Miami had a quartet of defenders selected. Three of them made significant contributions from the beginning. Linebackers D.J. Williams of Denver and Johnathan Vilma for the New York Jets currently lead their respective teams in tackles on improved defenses. Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork is learning how to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense but it isn't keeping him off the field. He's started six games for the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Dallas at Baltimore - W
Cowboys Bill Parcells is tiring of the question when will quarterback Drew Henson play. People want to see what the rookie can do, but Parcells feels it is best that Henson watches. I can understand that. His learning could be hindered if played too early, which might had happened to B-more's Kyle Boller. He's showing signs of finally getting it and his play will in part lift the Ravens above the 'Boys.
St. Louis at Buffalo - L
Based upon J.P. Losman's two-pass debut, Buffalo's future is in trouble. I'm still trying to figure out who his second pass attempt was intended for because it went straight to a New England player three feet in front of him. Maybe learning from Drew Bledsoe has him messed up. Whoever is throwing for the Bills, they'll make costly mistakes and hand a win to the Rams.
Arizona at Carolina - L
This has been a successful season for the Cardinals no matter how you look at it. They've already matched the number of wins from last year, exceeded key defensive stats (sacks and fumble recoveries), and appear to be going in the right direction. 'Lina struggling at 2-7 following a trip to the Super Bowl can't help but feel disappointed, even though numerous injuries damaged their chances. Losing to the Cardinals won't help things either.
Indianapolis at Chicago - W
From the you can't satisfy everybody file, receiver Marvin Harrison isn't happy with Indy's offense because now quarterback Peyton Manning has other receivers to throw to. Hopefully Harrison doesn't get drastic and busts a Gillooly on a teammate or two. It's no secret at the Colts will squash the Bears.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati - W
After linebacker Joey Porter's career in the NFL is over, it's apparent that boxing won't be his next venture. His ring skills give Porter no chance at beating anybody. Well, maybe just Evander Holyfield. As long as Porter sticks to football, he and the Steelers should knockout the Bengals.
New York Jets at Cleveland - W
Much respect due to Jets coach Herman Edwards for taking the blame for the clock mis-management at the end of regulation when New York could had won the game. To make sure the error doesn't happen again, Edwards and the coaching staff will switch to sandals so he can use fingers and toes to track numbers. Count on a Jets victory.
Tennessee at Jacksonville - L
It's hard to explain how virtually week after week, no matter who plays, Jacksonville figures out a way to win in the waning minutes. They live up to their Cardiac Cats moniker. They'll stay a beat ahead of the Titans as the Jaguars finish ahead at the end again.
Detroit at Minnesota - L
Who can blame Vikings head coach Mike Tice flipping out after a fan questioned the speed at which his team tied Green Bay. A coach should be able to depend on his defense to make a key stop. Oh, wait, Minnesota, right? Yeah, why did the Vikes score so quickly? Tice knows he can't depend on his defense. The D fails again as the Lions pull the Upset of the Week.
Denver at New Orleans - W
Denver head coach Mike Shanahan fired defensive backs coach David Gibbs earlier this week. Word is he ignored Shanahan's wishes for corner back Champ Bailey to cover Atlanta receiver Peerless Price in a Broncos loss. Price scored two touches in that game. I bet the quality Shanahan wants out of Gibbs' replacement is someone who listens. The team listens to Shanahan and that leads to a Broncos win.
San Francisco at Tampa Bay - W
There's talk goin' on about San Fran head coach Dennis Erickson's job security. One media group claimed he'd welcomed being fired. He struck down those rumors, saying he wants to be around when the 49ers improve within the next three years. Is Erickson that patient? I doubt the organization is. He'll suffer through this loss to the Buccaneers and maybe the season, but any further is unknown.
San Diego at Oakland - W
When asked to comment on former Raiders coach Bill Callahan and his statement last year that his Oakland team was the dumbest team in America, defensive end Warren Sapp left it alone. But he did mention that his current Raiders team does some crazy stuff. We'll see some of that craziness first hand as the Chargers stupefy the Silver and Black.
Miami at Seattle - W
For anyone who thought the arrival of Jerry Rice to Seattle would help decrease the number of drops might had been surprised to see Rice drop a would-be touchdown this past week. This proves that dropies are contagious. The Seahawks hold on to enough passes to dispose of the Dolphins.
Atlanta at New York Giants - W
Eli Manning remembers the first big hit he took in his first professional action against Philadelphia. The rookie passer will have a few more to archive because Atlanta will be coming after him. Don't forget all of your padding, Eli. It will be a Falcons beating neither the rook nor the Giants will forget.
Washington at Philadelphia - W
That was a poor acting job between quarterback Donovan McNabb and wide out Terrell Owens as they mimicked their scene from the Pittsburgh sideline. It looked more like a segment from the "Thriller" video dance routines. Their theatrics won't be as sorry as the Redskins' impersonation of a football team. They get clowned by the Eagles.
Green Bay at Houston - W
The Texans must be thinking they can't buy a break. Last week, Indianapolis torched the defense. This week they'll be put through a clinic by the Packers. Houston's worried their next opponent is the All-Madden Team.
New England at Kansas City - Monday Night - W
Even without Priest Holmes, K.C.'s running game remained highly productive as running back Derrick Blaylock gained 186 yards in Holmes' absence. The Chiefs offense did it's part, but the defense didn't hold up its end of the bargain. It will be the shortcoming again as Kansas City fails to stop the Patriots.
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