Random Thoughts from Around the NFL

Being from New England we're quick to hate on the Colts, but with one more victory this season, Indianapolis will become the first team in league history to post five straight 12-win seasons. It's an amazing accomplishment, especially this year considering how devastated the Colts have been with injuries to key players (Dwight Freeney and Marvin Harrison).

 

I think we should start calling Tony Romo the new Daunte Culpepper. If not for Tom Brady, Romo would be the undoubted MVP of the league this year. Culpepper experienced a similar thing in 2004 when Peyton Manning's 49-touchdown season trumped the veteran quarterback's ridiculous campaign of 4,717 passing yards and 41 touchdowns (39 passing, 2 rushing).

 

Can anyone explain to me Adrian Peterson's 14-carry, three-yard game against the 49ers on Sunday because I am still confused?

 

Has there ever been a more boring season in terms of divisional races? We have three weeks to go in the NFL season yet the winner has already been decided in three of the four NFC divisions and the Patriots clinched like three months ago. The only division that is competitive is the AFC North with Pittsburgh holding a one-game lead over the surprising Browns.

 

Speaking of Cleveland, it's funny what a good all-around offense can do for a running back like Jamal Lewis. With 11 touchdowns this season and a pair of 100-yard games in his last three, Lewis looks like one of the best free-agent signings in the league.

 

Are the Atlanta Falcons the biggest joke in the league right now or what? Coach Bobby Petrino resigned on Tuesday to take the job at Arkansas, barely addressing his staff and not even talking to Falcons' players. Apparently, Petrino had zero communication skills and was often seen walking through the locker room without saying a word to anyone. It's amazing that this guy had any success at the University of Louisville.  

 

For those that think the success of quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Tony Romo are fluky and the big passing numbers we're seeing are a one-year thing, think again. Only six running backs are on pace for 1,200 yards rushing this season compared to 12 last year, 10 in 2004 and 14 in 2003. It looks like the league is going vertical again.

 

Tim Tebow of Florida seems like a really good kid and will probably play in the pros someday, but his Heisman Trophy speech was annoying. Not trying to hate on religion or anything, but I don't need to hear someone thanking God like 75 times in a four-minute span.

 

Does any defensive player make more of an impact for his ENTIRE team than Albert Haynesworth of Tennessee? The Titans are 7-3 when Haynesworth plays with the three losses totaling just eight points. Tennessee has gone 0-3, losing by a combined 58 points, when the big fella has not been able to play due to injury. Not only is the team's defense better when Haynesworth steps on the field, but the Titans are able to play ball control on offense and grind games out.  

 

Coaches Lovie Smith and Lane Kiffin must be smoking crack together because they both can't make up their mind on a starting quarterback. Smith has decided to go with Kyle Orton over Brian Griese while Rex Grossman is out with an injury. Kiffin has flip-flopped Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper all season and will probably go with rookie JaMarcus Russell before the year is over.

 

So I guess it is time to worry about Willie Parker and his lack of touchdowns. "Fast Willie" leads the league in rushing yards, yet has scored just twice this season. On the bright side, no running back has scored for the Steelers on the ground since Parker reached the end zone in Week 8. The only rushing touchdowns since then have been scored by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.