Week 8 thoughts

Media is focusing way too much on:

QB Brett Favre - Does anyone care about his injuries anymore? Yes it is amazing that he has played 293 games, and it will be one of those things that will be really impressive when he actually retires, and when you look back at it. The worst part is that Favre is the one that is fueling these stories. I know he is injured and I know he has a long streak, do we need to hear about it every day? Make it a story when he actually doesn't start. I don't think I have ever seen an athlete talk about himself this much before (other than maybe LeBron James) and Favre's team is 2-5.

Dallas Cowboys: Wade Phillips is terrible. They have tons of talent, but always underachieve.

This is nothing new, this is what the Cowboys have been for the last 10 years. What else is there to say? They are 1-6! Why are they still being talked about?

Media needs to focus more on:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They are 5-2, yet I do not think most football fans can name 3 players on their roster. This should be a fun team to watch for a long time. QB Josh Freeman and rookie WR Mike Williams are legit and CB Aqib Talib may be one of the best corners in the NFL and all are under 25.

Oakland Raiders: They have blown out their opponents in the last two games and are finally

showing the Raider nation a team they can be proud of. Yet the Raiders have had local TV blackouts for 11 straight games now. This is shocking considering how intimidating the fans are in Oakland. McClain said he wouldn't give an interview until the Raiders sold out a game:

"If the fans come out and we can sell out a damn game, I'll talk to the media," McClain said. "Until then ... I need full fan support." (NFL.com)

Rookies Dominating - It seems this year, more than usual, first year players have come in and really impressed. Look across almost every roster in the NFL and you will see rookies making a key impact on their teams. QB Sam Bradford, WR Mike Williams, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Devin McCorty, S Eric Berry, S Earl Thomas

Devin McCourty 2010 Patriots Preview

Devin McCourty, cornerback, special teams extraordinaire and the 27th overall pick in this years' draft has become just the second first round pick to sign a contract.  The deal is reportedly worth a maximum of $13.2 million over five years.  This is about $2 million more than last year's 24th overall pick, RB Donald Brown from Connecticut.

Prediction:  It's never easy to predict statistics for a secondary player, especially one who is competing for a starting job, but McCourty will be seeing the field from day 1.  Head Coach Bill Belichick recently called him a "four-down player," meaning that he can contribute on defense as well as in special teams.  I think you will see Devin making a huge splash in special teams as a returner as well in other areas such as the gunner on the punt team and blocking kicks (seven career blocks in college).


McCourty will see time on defense, whether he starts or is a situational player remains to be seen
2 interceptions
MAJOR impact in special teams, similar to Kelley Washington during his time with the Pats.


Update:  With Leigh Bodden on IR McCourty will likely start.  He will definitely suffer some growing pains but hopefully can learn quickly