+/- for the 5 Worst/5 Best Teams of the NFL

5 Best

1. Indianapolis Colts (9-0)

+ The defense is looking great and this squad can really run the tables at being undefeated.

- Want to go undefeated? They have to win at Cincy, Jacksonville, and Seattle. They will also have to win at home against the Steelers and Chargers.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2)

+ There record is impressive considering Big Ben has not played the whole season.

- The injury to Big Ben is more serious than originally thought.

3. Denver Broncos (7-2)

+ Jake the Snake is finally playing like the quarterback we all thought he'd be.

- Doesn't Denver always look impress during the regular season and then come postseason time they lose a wildcard game?

4. Carolina Panthers (7-2)

+ WR Steve Smith is truthfully something very special.

- Their RB situation is always a question mark.

5. Seattle Seahawks (7-2)

+ Shaun Alexander is one dominating, touchdown machine. He doesn't nearly get the exposure he deserves.

- Seahawks, much like the Broncos have a good regular season, but seem to always choke in the wild card games.


5 Worst

1. Houston Texans (1-8)

+ The team has sustained a lot of key injuries that have hindered their play on both sides of the ball.

- The once thought rising football club is 1-8. Most likely spring cleaning will be in effect come the offseason.

2. San Francisco 49ers (2-7)

+ This squad is young, inexperienced, and QB-less. Though through all that they still have managed 2 surprising wins.

- This QB situation is insane. Cody Pickett is starting...the 4th stringer! Are you kidding? Next in line is the waterboy.

3. Arizona Cardinals (2-7)

+ Their best offensive players are quite the youngsters: Boldin, Fitzgerald, and Arrington.

- Dennis Green is in his 3rd season and still no success. When will the losing stop?

4. Baltimore Ravens (2-7)

+ Kyle Boller, who has been injured since Week 1, is at full strength and ready to return to action.

- Boller doesn't seem to be developing. Even when he's healthy numbers are not being put up.

5. New Orleans Saints (2-7)

+ The team has lost every possible way imaginable, and let's not forget the tragedy Hurricane Katrina caused.

- Aaron Brooks isn't what we thought he was, the team might move, and the second half of the schedule is even harder.

#1 American Sport? HA! Football by a field length!

Once again the weekend flew by and once again I am back at work on trigonometry. Though as I sit here at my computer I must point out the obvious. The obvious fact that the one consistent, enjoyable, and efficient professional sport of America is the NFL. Year in and year out the NFL produces memorable seasons. Of course the MLB and the NBA have intense years, but those leagues seemed to have fallen from the ranks of being the best. In the MLB you have the whole debacle with steroids. And until two seasons ago NBA play was down tremendously. The games were just 9 guys standing around while one superstar dribbled the ball threw his leg ten times and shoot the ball from half court. Yes, the NFL did have it's troubles in the 1980's with a shortened season, and yes there has been talk about salary issues that could arise in the future causing distress in the league. As far as I'm concerned everything is going fine with the league. Being a Saints fan it is pretty clear that I will not be witnessing many winning seasons. None the less, I am still able to enjoy the league games to the fullest. With the equal payroll that exists in the NFL, teams are able to better themselves. Look at baseball, I mean the Yankees are at such an advantage in the free agency market with there $800 million payroll. (Yet, they still can't win another World Series title.) How are teams like the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Devil Rays ever going to be able to get the talent to win consistently? The complete opposite can be said in the NFL. Because of the equal payroll, Bill Belichick was able to build the New England Patroits into a destiny. For me football is just flat out awesome. It is a game that will always require 100% teamwork, along with everyone's favorite....bonecrushing hits. On Saturday I get to watch LSU and then on Sunday I can sit down and enjoy some intriguing NFL matchups. You don't have to worry about a player's strike occurring anytime soon, or the teamwork on teams dropping. The league does have it's flaws, but overall it is doing pretty darn well. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has enforced strict drug testing rules that will prevent the NFL from ever going into the steroid scandal taking place in Major League Baseball. All in all, the NBA and MLB both have there positives, but none as powerful as the one the NFL holds. More revenue is generated, more advertisements are made, and more people tune into the NFL than any other professional league in the United States of America. 'Nuff said.

What a Saturday!

As I laid in my bed that Saturday night I could not stop smiling. Nothing was going wrong in my life. After all I just witnessed one of the most memorable wins in LSU football history. Going into the game I knew along with every other LSU fan this game was our season. Sure we had beaten Florida and Auburn, but the winner of this showdown would be the front runner for the SEC West title. It was not until the game kicked off that I really thought about the matchup that was going on. #3 vs. #5. Wow. The last time LSU played in a game were both teams were in the Top 5, Billy Cannon ran back the one of the greatest punt returns ever. As the game strolled on, it became evident that this was in fact a defensive slugfest. When the Tigers went down 10-0, I will admit I started to panic. Being only 18 years old, I still have witnessed my share of Alabama blowouts. Back when the Bengals had DiNardo I remember getting pumped up for Gene Stallins's Crimson Tide to come into Baton Rouge. The Tide won that game 26-0. And then when Saban was the coach we had yet another Alabama let down. For some odd reason the offense did not feel like scoring. The Tide rolled again winning 31-0. When it was halftime, I was feeling lucky LSU was down only 10-0. At times during the first half it looked like yet another shutout was underway. When the team came out in the second half, everything was different. The Bayou Bengals played the type of defense that reminded me of Saban. Croyle was getting sacked, cornerbacks were blitzing, and chaos was resulting on offense for the Tide. The momentum of the game changed the instant Justin Vincent scored on 4th and goal. You could hear every Alabama fan gulp to themselves. As the 4th quarter clock kept ticking I kept anxiously awaiting that score that would hopefully give LSU the lead for good. With the score tied 10-10, it seemed evident that LSU could pull this one out. Though, LSU was not able to capitalize on several drives due to a cue of mistakes on the kicking team time in and time out. Alabama was left off the hook with the score 10-10. Nothing scared me more than the last two plays of regulation. I can still see Brodie Croyle launching that football as far as he could. Prude was right with the wide reciever, but you kind of got the feeling the refree may throw a flag for pass interference. With Alabama fans booing you would have thought the refree would have given in and in fact given the Tide the ball inside the LSU 10 with under ten seconds left in the game. No flag was dropped and for that move by the refree I give him a lot of credit. All in all, 2 seconds still remained on the clock. The same amount of time left during the Bluegrass Miracle. Bama was already at the 50 yard line. They easily had a chance to make something happen. When Croyle threw that little pass I felt assured the Tigers would accomplish the tackle in no time. Yet, he kept running and before I knew it my heart was about to stop. Before I went into anymore shock a pack of Tigers wrapped up the runner and just like that regulation play was over. LSU had been in overtime twice this year. Those two games had the most opposite outcomes of each other. When the NCAA included the overtime several years back I was in love with it. No ties! That's all that mattered. Over the years I have come to realize how much better it could be. I'll admit it has it's positives. Though starting immediately at your opponents 25 yard line is a bit close for my liking. None the less, LSU vs. Alabama was now in overtime. The coin flipped in the air and when I heard we one the toss I was still nervous knowing it was after all, overtime. When Bama stepped out on the field it was gutwretching thinking of all the possibilities on what could happen. The D held, but all I was thinking about was blocking the kick. Unforunately it was right down the middle. 13-10. LSU's turn. Justin Vincent first run had me excited. We had Bama right where we wanted them. The fans were screaming, but one play and the place would be dead silent. (Except for of course the LSU fans.) I did not like the Xavier Carter reverse. That call is loved during regulation, but in overtime it was too risky. After all a huge loss of yards almost resulted. It was 3rd and 6. In the back of everyone's mind was the thought of Chris Jackson coming out to kick again. The same Chris Jackson would had missed 3 field goals already during the course of the game. When Russell called hike I was on the edge of my seat, but a moment later I was back to thinking about Mr. Jackson. The play was not there, Russell had nothing. He would have thrown it by now. Then just like that, with the flick of his wrist JaMarcus Russell wisped the ball. I didn't move as I saw Dwayne Bowe catch the ball. I didn't move as I saw the refree signal touchdown. I didn't know what to do. Did that just happen? Must be a flag! No way. Then it hit me. JaMarcus Russell did it again. He pulled the Tigers out with yet another win. #4 is a winner. Anyone who doubts him now must plain not like him. After all this is the same guy who lead those thrilling comebacks against Oregon State and Arizona State to name a few. As I jumped up and down in joy I thought to myself one memorable thought: I just watched the greatest LSU football game in my life. Alabama was having a dream season. They were going to be in the National Championship. That was until they met the Tigers. The LSU Tigers.

College Football: 11/12/05

The season is flying by once again. A lot of showdowns coming this Saturday. Here's my take on what's going to happen in the Top 25....(Due to my delayed start only a selected few will be included in my Top 25 Weekly Game Breakdown.)

No. 10 Ohio State (7-2) vs No. 25 Northwestern (6-3)

Story: The Buckeyes are really playing well now. And I don't mean just defensively. It seems Troy Smith has finally come around. The team has scored 35 points or more in the past 4 games. OSU will be in The Shoe when they collide with Northwestern. Northwestern is the most up and down team in the Big Ten. It seems to me that every week the Wildcats are moving around on the polls.

Matchup to Watch For: If there was such thing as College Fantasy Football, I would sure want to have Troy Smith on my team. Smith should have a huge day. The NW defense is near the bottom and that is not a good thing to have when going against a multi-dimensional quarterback like Troy Smith. The matchup between Smith and NW could very easily favor the Bucks, but then again you never know what to expect out of these Wildcats.

Prediction: Northwestern has had there moments this year. They will finish out the season with a bowl game like the Sun Bowl. Once again it was a mistake, Northwestern is not going to be a big factor in the race for the Big Ten title. The Buckeyes are too powerful and are really playing good ball now.

OSU 40 Northwestern 21


No. 17 Florida State (7-2) at Clemson (5-4)

Story: Once again Florida State is already out of the National Championship picture and once again Tommy Bowden is holding on for his job for dear life. FSU is going into this game off of a loss to N.C. State by the score of 15-10. The Seminoles really struggled having only put up a mere 10 points. They will be going against a Clemson team that is fighting just for a bid into the bowl season.

Matchup to Watch For: The starting quarterback for Florida State, Mr. Drew Weatherford was having a good season up until a few weeks ago. He has lost two games in about a month. Already the fans are yelling to put in Xavier Lee. Saturday's game against the Clemson D will really start to give FSU fans an idea on how this young quarterback is going to be in the future. If he struggles again, word will be out in Florida that Weatheford is not a big game player. If he guides his team to victory, that essential faith needed in a quarterback will once gain start to grow.

Prediction: When it comes to the Bowden Bowl, father knows best. In 6 meetings, Bobby has won 5 times. Look for him to roll off yet another one.

FSU 34 Clemson 19


No. 21 Michigan (6-3) vs Indiana (4-5)

Story: Once again it is the classic, lopsided contest between the Wolverines of Michigan and the Hoosiers of Indiana. Michigan seems to really be turning there season around after falling to 3-3. Michael Hart is back and Henne is playing well. Indiana seems to be heading in the right direction for the future. None the less, they are still going into the Big House.

Matchup to Watch For: James Hardy vs. Michigan cornerbacks. Hardy is having a stellar season for the Hoosiers as he currently leads the Big Ten in receiving yards. In order to step up in the class of top performers, Hardy has to be able to make things happen against big time teams such as Michigan. Catching one ball for 7 yards like he did last week against Minnesota in a 42-21 loss, is not going to help. Hardy will be going against a rejuvenated and motivated Michigan secondary that will thrive on all Hoosier mistakes.

Prediction: Why should there be any thought this series will go the other way? Once again Michigan will win, and once again they will win big.

Michigan 45 Indiana 18


No. 12 Florida (7-2) at South Carolina (6-3)

Story: It sounds like the setup for a movie. The Old Ball Coach goes against his Old Team in the movie of the year. I can assure you both teams have been waiting eagerly for this game. Even though it has been talked about numerous times, just seeing Spurrier on the opposite sideline of Florida will be very eerie. It will be something you have to see.

Matchup to Watch For: Florida O vs. Soutch Carolina D. It sounds vague, but it really is so much more. Urban Meyer has yet to get the Gators offense rolling on all four cylinders. Analysts are beginning to become skeptical on the play of Chris Leak. Besides the 40+ points scored against Kentucky and Vandy, Florida really has been having difficulty putting up points on SEC teams. Against Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, and Georgia, Florida scored a total of 50 points. That's an average of about 13 points per SEC showdown. Nothing would make Steve Spurrier happier than to continue that streak of inept offensive play.

Prediction: Everyone is talking about Spurrier beating the Gators. I'm sorry that sounds too much like a Disney movie. Gators are a better team. The Gamecocks have been playing good, but they will be going against a Florida team that seemed for the first time last week to have their offense at full capacity. Come Sunday Gamecocks will be back down to Earth.

Florida 29 South Carolina 17


No. 1 USC (9-0) at California (6-3)

Story: USC will be taking on the team that last beat them. For those of you who don't remember that 2003 California overtime win, it was quite the football game. I can assure you California players vividly remember that day. This matchup is this Saturday's most overrated. California has slipped a lot and already has 3 losses. None the less, everyone is still talking about the Bears possibly winning. USC is better than I thought they were. They will be ready for the Bears.

Matchup to Watch For: Joseph Ayoob vs. USC D. Joe Ayoob is the young fellow who took over for Aaron Rodgers. The Juco transfer has had some impress games...and some nasty ones as well. In the Bears's 3 losses Ayoob has thrown 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His team is a HUGE underdog in my mind come Saturday. The only way California can stay with the Trojan Men is by putting up points. The offense is fully capable of doing that, but again that all lays in Ayoob's hands.

Prediction: I do think Ayoob is a good quarterback. Being a first year starter is tough, especially when you lose some games you should have been victorious in. This California team will get better in the future. The future. USC is just dominating right now. I don't see any reason to think otherwise.

USC 55 California 24


No. 19 Wisconsin (8-2) vs Iowa (5-4)

Story: Barry Alvarez will be coaching in his final home game as a the head coach of Wisconsin. His team has had a successful year. Though they have lost 2 really tough games to swallow, the Badgers are still making noise in the Big Ten. In my opinion the Badgers are one of the most underrated teams in the nation. Alvarez will be going against an Iowa team that has not been having the year they anticipated. Despite all the trouble for the Hawkeyes, it would still mean a lot to know that you beat Barry Alvarez at his last home game.

Matchup to Watch For: Brian Calhoun vs. Iowa D. Calhoun has had a terrific year. His power and speed have made Wisconsin one of the best running teams in the nation. Calhoun is coming off his worst performance of the year. His 20 carries for 38 yards are something he wants analysts to quickly forget. Calhoun's task won't be easy. He'll be going against a shaken up Iowa defense. Iowa's defense has had some hard breaks. They will be pumped up up for the chance to go against a superb athlete such as Brian Calhoun.

Prediction: This is a tough one. Though, if I have learned anything over the last few years it's that Wisconsin is prone to losing those late season Big Ten grudge matches. I just can't help, but picture Alvarez walking off with a frown on his face.

Iowa 26 Wisconsin 21


No. 4 Alabama (9-0) vs No. 5 LSU (7-1)

Story: This Gameday matchup will be one for the books. The Crimson Tide are undefeated and the journey to Atlanta has two more big stops. Once against LSU this weekend, and another against Auburn at the end of the year. The Bayou Bengals have bounced back nicely after that 4th quarter meltdown against Tennessee.

Matchup to Watch For: JaMarcus Russell vs. Alabama D/ Brodie Croyle vs. LSU D. Both quarterbacks have had their moments of glory...as well as their times of grief. JaMarcus has been a terrific leader this year, but none the less his difficulties with the offense still exist. All Tiger fans will be watching #4 and how he deals with a hostile crowd and a tenacious D. Brodie Croyle, much like JaMarcus has had his ups and downs. Though unlike JaMarcus, Mr. Croyle's squad is undefeated. The Fans of the Tide will be breathing down Croyle's neck for some points. In their last 3 games the Tide has scored 1 offensive touchdown. If that is to change, Brodie is going to have to execute his playbook against a stiff Bengal defense.

Prediction: Saturday's showdown between LSU and Alabama is the perfect atmosphere. The Tide have been waiting awhile for another National Championship. In order to continue there run they have to get by a determined LSU team. The offense unit in Tuscaloosa did not score any offensive points against a fragile Mississippi State team. In the end, I believe it will be the more efficient offense of LSU that will ultimately decide the outcome of this contest. (Yep, I jinxed them.)

LSU 19 Alabama 17


No. 9 Georgia (7-1) vs No. 15 Auburn (7-2)

Story: The showdown between Georgia and Auburn always ends up being a classic. The main story surrounding this battle is the return of Georgia's senior leader DJ Shockley. The Bulldogs will be facing off against an Auburn team flying under the radar. Tuberville's Bunch still has a chance at a SEC Championship berth with a few strings pulled. The loser can pretty much kiss their SEC Championship dreams goodbye.

Matchup to Watch For: Brandon Cox vs. Georgia D. It may seem that the match to watch would involve Mr. Shockley. Though, Shockley has had his big victories as opposed to Cox. Brandon Cox came into the season with the difficult task of taking over for Jason Campbell. Despite his strides of impressive play, he is none the less in the spotlight again. Cox struggled against Georgia Tech and LSU, the teams only two losses. His play will be a mirror image of whether or not Auburn goes home victorious. For the second time in less than a month, Cox will have to prove himself against the most underrated defense in the SEC. The Bulldogs will be hungry, and the only thing stopping them from harvesting is the leadership of Brandon Cox.

Prediction: The second best matchup in the SEC this weekend is one that is marked with a question mark. Both teams have a solid defense, along with consistent running games. Though the one key difference rests at quarterback. Georgia has a proven quarterback and Auburn doesn't.

Georgia 27 Auburn 17

The Most Important Email To The LSU Fan...

The college football season is already more than halfway done. The Tigers has surprised me this year in turning around there season after that 4th quarter collapse against Tennessee. Though the latest piece of news in every LSU fan's head is the BCS. Believe me I am as confused as anyone as to why LSU is so far back. Yes, I realize the last two weeks for the team have been cake walks. I am not going to get into the discussion on why the Tigers should be higher up. In fact I am only going to tell you why it is really pointless to even care about it at this point in the season. In the past I would be hollering at the television on my great disgust for the low ranking LSU has in the BCS. I would be constantly running my mouth on my daily thoughts. Even if I were right that's not the point. The point is LSU's season comes down to this weekend. The pollsters have not noticed the Tigers much this year, but you can be sure that will change if the Tigers roll this Saturday. If there is anything to take from this short little (hopefully not pointless) article it's to BE PATIENT. If the Bengals keep winning they will get the recognition they deserve. Les's crew controls their own destiny. After all the last time the whole 'BCS-unfair' talk took place, the Tigers were having one of their most memorable seasons. It just happened to be the season they won their first national championship in 45 years.

Saints/Bears

Saints looked a lot better than last week which really is not saying anything at all. Half as many people attended this game compared to the previous week's grudge match against the Dolphins. The crowd was really getting into it during the closing moments of the game. None the less, Sainst could not get an easy first down and had to punt. Chicago came down and scored a field goal to go up 20-17 with 6 seconds left in the 4th quarter. No replay of the Jacksonville/New Orleans game was going to happen. Saints have lost 5 in a row and to be honest I think they have lost every possible way. I could go on, but I really am tired of talking about this lousy team. Don't worry. I know this 2-7 record looks bad, but just wait until this team makes a run and wins out with a 9-7 record. 'Nuff said.

LSU/App. St.

I had the joy of sitting right behind the players bench in this showdown. LSU did not originally schedule to play App. State I can't remember who backed out Houston or Oklahoma. Anyway the quarterback for App. State was said by Coach Miles to be the toughest man under center the Tigers defense will have faced all year. He reminds me a bit of Steve McNair. Like McNair, Williamson can scramble and throw the long ball. Also both athletes went to small off the map schools. (McNair attended Alcorn State.) Enough with App. State, the Tigers still committed some silly penalties, but that defense looked superb once again. I would rather have won 24-0, then say something like 42-7. That zero looks so good. The offense had trouble getting points up on the board once again. Look for the offense to really be in the flow of things come this Saturday. Overall, lets hope these past two games will have tuned up the LSU Tigers football squad enough to the point where they can go into Alabama and beat the undefeated Tide.

His World...

For quite some time we have all heard his scolding and complaining towards those around him. The individual Terrell Owens is such an energetic player on and off the field. Though as he comes into the spotlight time in and time out one thought stays with me. Terrell Owens is a Me guy. I don't care what all these analysts say, much less even Terrell himself. His constant criticism of McNabb along with the Eagles organization has made it crystal clear to me that number 81 just simply cares about just about himself. I adore the comments on how Owens agrees the Eagles would be undefeated if Brett Favre were playing for Philly. It seems everytime a big issue comes up with him, he sinks even lower. I love this act he puts on about the relationship he has with McNabb. Then in two weeks he lashes out about how McNabb is not playing his hardest or something to that degree. All in all, I think Terrell Owens in a selfish football player who loves the attention the media gives him. I think he is full of it when he tells reporters he does not care about his stats, just about winning. He has done an impressive job if I may say on manipulating the media and world into thinking he is this innocent man who just wants to play football. Honestly who in this league has comments to the extreme as Owens about their current team and organization? Nobody. Sure you could say Moss, but Moss let out his anger when he was done being a Viking. Men like him make the NFL look like a group of aristocratic athletes who think they are gods on earth. Terrell does us all a favor, shut up and play football. Hmm, now that I think of it. What current athlete plays with that thinking? That's right, Marvin Harrison. Maybe Owens could learn a thing or two from Peyton's right arm. 'Nuff said.

Saints vs. Dolphins

I went to the Saints/Dolphins game Sunday. The organization for picking up your tickets was very poorly done, none the less the atmosphere was good. I got into stadium with 5 minutes left in the first quarter due to the inefficiency of the Ticket Pick Up window. I had nosebleed seats and tried to get closer, but that never worked. The fans were there, the noise was there, even the beer, but not the team. The defense had little luck making the big stops on long 3rd downs. Though I came to one conclusion after the game. Aaron Brooks is not the winner we thought he was. I have been with him since that magical 2000 season and I will continue to support him till the end of this year, but he does not have it. The guy has the arm, he has the strength, but he does not have the brains. The safety in the game was so silly. Don't get be wrong the offensive line was the equivalent to folding chairs. I am sure Brooks tries his hardest each and every game, but it just looks like he gets use to losing. I mean I do not have a picture in my mind of Brooks going on the field and not giving a damn. He does, but I just think afterward the loss gets to him. Though as the week rolls on he gets use to it. That's just my take. I feel bad for the guy. I really do. His confidence is nonexistence now. The team needs to do what is best come the end of the season. They need to clear out the coaching staff and get a new quarterback. Things just are not working out. 'Nuff said.

LSU/UNT

Sorry I am quite late with the latest LSU game analysis. Coming into the game there wasn't much hype considering UNT is 2-4 and from the Sun Belt conference. None the less the game was important for various reasons. A lot of games this year the Bayou Bengals have left the field forunate with a win. Despite there many wins, they have still made mental errors numerous times throughout the year. Even though LSU steamrolled UNT 56-3, I was still unsure about one aspect of the team. The LSU football squad is still getting silly penalties. I am becoming more and more surprised on how many offsides penalties they have gotten this year. As a critical as I seem, I was pleased with the Tigers performance Saturday. LSU won like they should have. JaMarcus was rolling out great balls to Bowe, Doucet, and Jones. And for once we got to see Bowe run on the field. Unlike the last few weeks Bowe was not catching the ball in the endzone or while falling down. Even though it was against a weak UNT team, Carey and Vincent showed they can still play. I have a feeling that one of them is going to be a very critical person in the Alabama game. The most impressive stat of the game did not take place until the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Matt Flynn was 7 for 7, 139 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Flynn's first pass was a touchdown due to the excellent athleticism of Xavier Carter. His next two were to Early Doucet. After seeing how well Flynn can play, I think he should get even more plays come each game. JaMarcus is the starter, but Flynn should still get his share of turns. I just do not think he has gotten that far chance he deserves. Overall Tigers are playing good this year. They seem to be coming closer as a team each and every game.

Saints/Rams

I thought I had seen every possible way for the Saints to lose a game. Then John Carney missed the extra point after the amazing triple lateral final play. Wait, we can't forget about the Saints/Falcons game last week were the refrees gave Falcons' kicker Todd Peterson a generous second attempt. Though once again Saints lost another game, another heartbreaking way. And for the second straight week, the single changing event that lead to the Saints defeat had nothing to do with say... an Aaron Brooks's interception or a Donte' Stallworth fumble. The Rams were without Marc Bulger, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, and their head coach Mike Martz. In addition, Saints scored on their first two possessions going up 14-0. Yet as the game went on the lead evaporated. Down 21-17, Brooks and the Saints had one more chance. Though it does not help when FOX once again points out the fact Brooks has had 17 4th quarter comebacks. Everytime they point that out the game is done. Saints lose. Everytime. On a crticial play, Brooks guns a pass to Ernie Conwell who juggles it but none the less, while tangling with a cornerback lands on his back with the ball on this chest. Conwell is down...right? A St. Louie player picks it up and runs 66 yards for the score. This can't be? Conwell was down. You can clearly see on the instant replay Conwell was in fact down. So would not the play be dead? Refrees thought Conwell was juggling it so the touchdown stands. Challenge it! New Orleans was out of timeouts. Alright, but because there is 1:55 left in the game the booth upstairs can view it, right? No they can't because even though there is under 2:00 the officials never officially declared 'Two Minute Warning.' That sums everything up. It is the 2:00 warning so just because they do not say 'Two Minute Warning' then it technically isn't even the two minute warning? Wow. Nuff said. Saints got a raw deal. And for the second straight week the NFL officials can kiss my left butt cheek.

LSU/Auburn game

I attended the LSU/Auburn game last night. My dad and younger brother came down for the slugfest. Quite the amount of excitement. Tiger Stadium had an awesome atmosphere. After the big win against the Gators, LSU knew they had to cut down on turnovers and penalties. The offense overall did not look that impress. JaMarcus Russell missed some practices this past week and Coach Miles said during the Auburn game the playbook was trimmed so pain would not be felt in his shoulder. It seemed like something had to be wrong with Russell. His passes were continuously hitting the ground. After suffering through the 10-9 loss last year to Auburn I have to say I am glad John Vaughn missed 5 field goals. After all it was quite lucrative that Mr. Vaughn was even given a second chance during last year's showdown. I am also iffy about the cornerbacks. We could not stop the pass...and the run. LSU has a lot to work on still, but the heart was there. I will give JaMarcus a lot of credit for once again leading the team to a tying field goal. In conclusion, the important thing is LSU won. It was not pretty, but beating Auburn anyway is a huge plus.