Chilly gets shevled in Minnesota

There have been whisperings of this all season. After the Vikings got shellacked by Favre's former team Green Bay 31-3, Owner Zygi Wilf finally gave Brad Childress his walking papers. This has been a tumultuous year to say the least for Childress. He coddled Brett Favre and even sent players down to Mississippi to try to pry Favre out from his farm to give it one run at the Super Bowl. He also swung for a trade for the Mercurial Randy Moss, only to release him after four games. The releasing of Moss without consulting the Owner Wilf, probably had sealed Childress’s fate after this season anyway. Childress's players often referred to him as not having there back and out to prove points that didn't need to be made. He reportedly got into arguments with Percy Harvin and Brett Favre at one point or another this season. Wilf had to make a move as the Vikings are 3-7 this year and appear to be going nowhere. Childress’s leaves the Vikings with a reord of 40-37, including 1-2 in the playoffs

Last year Childress and the Vikings almost made it to the Super Bowl losing to the Saints in the NFC championship game. After a dream season in 2009 things quickly soured for him this year. Once you lose your players in the locker room its not long before they stop playing for you on the field, just ask Wade Phillips. And speaking of Phillips isn’t it funny that two playoff teams, considered to be Super Bowl contending teams this, were the first to fire their coach this year?

Things got a little to Chilly for Childress and now he joins Wade Phillips on the unemployment line. Long tenured defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier takes over for Childress and tries to right the ship in Minnesota. If you were wondering, he has already stated that Brett Favre will be his starting QB. So much for that idea.

Sportaholic NFL Power Rankings Week 10

After all the games on Sunday, I think the best performance came on Monday night. In the speed drill demolishing of the Washington Redskins 59-28, Micheal Vick was almost flawless. His stat line is mind-boggling, he completed his first 10 passes and finished 20 for 28 for 333 yards with four touchdowns. Vick also ran eight times for 80 yards and two scores and now and he also moved into second all-time for rushing yards by a QB. The numbers don't even do this game justice. This was a Monday night massacre. Most casual fans probably turned the channel by halftime. Vick and the Eagles were just dominant in every phase of the game.

Vick's pocket presence now is unbelievable. He throws with pinpoint accuracy in the pocket and on the move. Vick is the most dangerous weapon in the NFL right now. How do you stop a guy who runs in the 4.2, 4.3 range, can drop a pass into tight coverage, can throw on the run, and has playmakers like Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin? (Both have at least 4.3 speed, Jackson maybe 4.2) The answer to that question is you don't. And with the NFC wide open this year, the Eagles have as good a chance as any team to come out of the conference. Vick gives them a transcendent star, one that no one has ever seen on the football field. He has finally has combined his freak athleticism with the ability to read and dissect coverage. This is what everyone envisioned when he was drafted out of Virginia Tech. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned but after his jail sentence, it seems Vick has finally taken his game to the next level. NFL be on lookout because the ultimate weapon will be coming to a town near you.

Now for the power rankings:

1.New York Jets (7-2) - This is simply by default. The two teams I had ahead of them both loss. The Jets are just beating the teams they are suppose to, albeit if its closer than it should be. The Jets seem to lack focus at the beginning of game and turn it on in the end to win. You can do that with the likes of Detroit and Cleveland but you can't do that against good teams. Mark Sanchez has to be commended on his performance. He gutted out the win with a bad calf. Santanio Holmes's grab in OT was all about sheer will as he took it to the house. And Rex Ryan don't you ever do this again: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1011/did-you-see-that-1112/content.6.html

2.New England Patriots (7-2) - So they go and get clobbered by the Browns and turn around clobber the Steelers? That's just the kind of unpredictable year it has been in league. Tom Brady was just masterful against the Steelers D, going 30/43 for 350 yards and no INTS. You just don't see those type of numbers against Pittsburgh. It's the first time in a long time I actually felt sorry for them. Brady had it all working and was throwing lasers all over the field. The 19-yard TD pass to Rob Gronkowski pretty much summed up the night for the Steelers. Pittsburgh scored a few garbage time touchdowns but the game was never really in doubt. Brady and the hoodie just has the Steelers number.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (6-3) - That was just a scary good performance from the Eagles last night. They are the fastest team in the league and seem like they could field a track team if they wanted to. With Vick they are the best team in the NFC. Yeah, I said it. If their defense can at least give them decent play, I see no reason why that can't make a Super Bowl run.

4. Atlanta Falcons (7-2) Yet another team that I have been resisting to put in the rankings, but they showed in defeating my previously top ranked Baltimore Ravens, that have what it takes. Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan is the real deal. The guy is 17-2 at home and if they could find a way to get home-field advantage in the playoffs, they will definitely be a factor. Roddy White has finally stepped up on a consistent basis and is making his claim as one of the best receivers in the game. What is up with the NFC south division? Can't anyone win the division two straight years for once please? I'm looking at you New Orleans Saints.

5.Baltimore Ravens (6-3) - The top team from last week, the Ravens are a bit of an enigma to me. They have a offense that should be better than they have shown thus far. The defense still has that reputation of the last few years but that no longer needs to apply to them. As I watched the Thursday night game, I remember saying to myself "This isn't that great intimidating Ravens D anymore" Matt Ryan and Roddy White just undressed their secondary. Ed Reed can say they gave that one away all he wants, the fact of the matter is that the Ravens offense is now better than its defense. Just don't tell Ray Lewis I said that.

Other News and Notes from the around the league:

Its getting real Chilly in Minnesota - You could just tell this was going to be an epic fail of a game for the Vikings, and that's exactly how it turned out. After arguing and bickering the whole week, with anonymous sources saying the likes of " I hate playing for him" and the always popular " I know he doesn't have my back so why should I have his", the Vikings imploded on Sunday. The Vikes now stand at 3-6, as Brett looks older with each passing game and his body is breaking down in sections (Ankle, Jaw and now shoulder), Percy Harvin continues to have concussion and migraine issues, and the team has mutiny written all over it. What a sad waste of Brett last season. I just don't see how this team can make the playoffs with so much negativity surrounding them.

Garrett's great debut - So how bout them Cowboys? I've been wanting to say that all season and finally have a reason. Jason Garrett was handed the keys to the team and looks to have way more control than Wade "Aw Shucks" Phillips had. They actually played with a sense of urgency, something that has been on a milk carton in Dallas. I won't jump to far with this but to me it just goes to show you what good coaching and player accountability will do for your team. Garrett is demanding his players be great and expects nothing less from himself. He has to win at least 5 games in my opinion to have the interim title removed. All in all good win and Garrett now has as many wins as Phillips did this whole year.

The Jags get the last laugh - The funniest part about that Hail Mary pass is the way it was set-up for Jacksonville. It was just a bad series of events for the Texans. Houston took over the ball with 1:33 left in the game. Matt Schaub was able to get them down to the Jags 40 with 22 seconds left and he spiked the ball. This is the point where tight end Joel Dreessen made two critical mistakes that help set up the Jaguars' winning play. He was called for a false start that pushed the Texans back to their 45 and then Dreessen caught an eight-yard pass, and promptly fumbled.

If he doesn't fumble than the clock more than likely would have run out. The Texas would have been able to run a few more plays and at worst take it to overtime but as it stood the Jags got the ball on 34 yard line. Houston decided to play soft coverage and allowed an 11-yard pass to Marcedes Lewis. A (for lack of better word) stupid offsides penalty by the Texans Antonio Smith placed the ball at the midfield. From there David Garrard was able to launch a pass in the end zone and instead of catching the ball or batting it AWAY from the offensive player, Glover Quin knocks it right into the hands of Mike Thomas for the TD catch. End of game. The game was an important one too as it put the Jags ahead of the Texans in the division. What a way to lose.

Sportaholic NFL Power Rankings Week 9

 Another week and another shuffle in the rankings. The NFL has been so weird this year. You usually can count on one or two dominant teams but not this year. This has become the year of the unknown. We never know from week to week which teams will show up. There are a few consistent teams ( Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New York Jets) as far as winning, but they are not ripping teams apart. A few teams are playing as well as can in the situation their in ( Indianapolis and Green Bay) and then you have the upstarts, who are no longer the push overs they use to be (Kansas City, Oakland, and even Detroit). Now with that being said, I present to you the week 9 rankings.

1.Baltimore Ravens (6-2) - Its looks like that Bills game was a fluke. I had been reluctant to put them in the top spot without seeing a dominant performance from them and I finally got what I was looking for out of them against Miami. Ray Rice is an underrated back and I always come away impressed with his play when I get a chance to see him. Joe Flacco had a great game going 20/27 for 266 yards 2 TDs no Ints.The addition of Ed Reed has put playmaking back into their secondary as well. They added another playmaker on the offense in Donte Stallworth as too. The Ravens and Pittsburgh will battle the whole season for the AFC north crown.

2.Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) - The Steelers came out dominant at first against the Bengals but had a hard time putting them away. Ben Roethlisberger was less than spectacular but got the job done. They got more than enought breaks from the lowly Bengals (How can this team be so bad at the simple things?) Hopefully James Harrison won't be hearing from the league for his hit on Jordan Shipley, it looked perfectly legal to me. Pittsburg just keeps chugging along beating the teams that they are suppose to. Thats what champions do.

3. New York Jets (6-2) - This is the hardest team in the league to predict on a week to week basis. They almost lost to Detroit, if it wasn't for the last moment heroics. They have a young offense and that leads to inconsistency. Speaking of consistency, Mark Sanchez has to learn to stop thinking so much and just go play some football. The Jets did have the run game working as Tomlison and Shonne Greene combined for 101 yards rushing and 114 yards receving. And the one thing they can always count on is Sexy Rexy's defense.

4. New York Giants (6-2) - Welcome to the rankings Giants (and NFC). The New York football Giants defensive line have become the most domineering and destructive force in the league. They now have taken out Matt Hasselback, Tony Romo (for the season), Jay Cutler, and Matt Moore. This was their recipe for the Super Bowl last time they won in 2008. I know somewhere in Dallas, Jon Kitna is paranoid and he should be.

5.New England Patriots (6-2) - Previously number one ranked New England makes a mighty stumble. I know by the look on Bill Belicheck's face that he hates losing to his former protege Eric Mangini. The Browns actually showed the blueprint for beating the Pats. They ran the ball effectively racking up 230 yards, 184 of those coming from Peyton Hillis (Boy does that trade for Brady Quinn is looking awfully good now). They flustered Tom Brady with with a variety of fronts and coverages, which is the only way to stop him. It's hard to imagine the Browns soundly beating New England at every phase of the game like they did. You have to love the trick play they ran on the goal line with Chansi Stuckey and Josh Cribbs as well. New England will bounce back but that sure was an ugly loss.

Other News and Notes from the league:

The Channing Crowder and Le'ron McClain incident has grown legs. Now Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano is confirming that the Ravens fullback spit in the face of Crowder. I saw the replay of the incident but never saw anything come out of McClain's mouth. Even though I didn't see it, it's hard to say that Crowder would have got that upset if he didn't. The league will review it and if McClain did, he will be fined .

If you saw the Austin Collie hit when it happend, what was your initial reaction to it? I personally don't think it was a dirty hit. It's just football and the nature of the game itself. Collie tried to get down after making the catch but was in between two defenders with another one trying to get out of the way. Its unfortunate the way it turned out. If Quiton Mikell and Kurt Coleman get fined for that, then the rule is officially ridiculous. Even two of Collie's teammates (Aaron Francisco and Jacob Lacey) stated that it was a clean hit. Everyone should hope Collie is ok and makes a full recovery.

Phillip Rivers just won't let the Chargers give up. He is single handely keeping the Chargers season alive. Rivers has had to deal with various reasons for his top four receivers being out. Vincent Jackson had the whole holdout thing and Antonio Gates, Legedu Nanee and Malcolm Floyd all being out with various injuries. He has had to make due with practice squad receivers with rookie Seyi Ajirotutu catching two touchdowns passes last game. The guy just has a will to win and has thrown for 2,944 yards through nine games, 357 more than any other quarterback. He is on pace to break Dan Marino's all -time season mark. I wouldn't be surprised if he breaks it or if San Diego comes back to win the division with Rivers at the helm.

Wade Phillips almost wasn't the first coach to get fired this season. Brad Childress almost got that distinction after he made the impromptu decision to cut Randy Moss, without consulting owner Zygi Wilf. You know that is kind of important Brad. If you going to cut a future hall of famer, you might just want to tell the guy who owns the team not to mention you cost your team 3rd round draft pick. Wilf reportedly so upset he responded by almost firing the embattled Childress rather than cutting Moss. The Vikings owner surveyed his players to see what the atmosphere was like. Fortunate for Childress, Wilf backed off. But now the coach will be based on a week to week performance. The victory they pulled out against Arizona was unbelievable. Favre rescued the Vikings season and his coach's job.

And Finally, what is your over/under on Jason Garrett remaining the coach in Dallas after this season? I say its about 50/50 at best. Jones will let Garrett audition but it really is unfair to Garrett. He has the same players who cost Wade Phillips his job. I will say their is no motivation like knowing your job is on the line. Everyone will be on the hook if they continue to play the way they have been. If Garrett doesn't get the job done, Jones will be relentless in finding a big name coach to fill the vacancy.

I don't necessarily think that you have to go after the big name coach in order for the team to be successful but I'm sure Jerry will chase the big names first. Just look at Mike Tomlin, Jim Harbaugh and Mike Smith.They all have had success and were not big name at the time of their hiring. If Jerry does chase, Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden seem like good hires. Cowher has a track record as a disciplinarian and would add some needed direction in that department but a lot of sources are saying he won't be interested in the position because of the authority Jerry Jones would want to exert on him. As for Gruden, he would come into a similar situation as the one he had in Tampa Bay. There are players in place but the culture of the team needs to be changed. He is a football man in every pore of his body. I think he could turn around the team. Hopefully they can get someone, even if it's not the big name to turn the fortunes of the franchise around for America's team.

Randy Moss cut by the Minnesota Vikings

The outspoken former all-pro receiver was released by the Vikings today. It comes as a stunner as Moss has only played four games for his former team. Moss had 13 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns and the Vikings were 1-3 in the games he played. It has been a crazy year for one of the leagues ultimate deep threats. It seems now that Moss' talent can no longer cover for his outspoken ways (As I write this all I can hear in the back of head is his "Straight cash homie." remark in my head.).

Moss was crtical of coach Brad Childress for his decision to not kick a field goal and instead going to the ground to try and pound the ball in on fourth and goal in their latest game against the New England Patriots. He also stated "I got fined $25,000 for not speaking to you all. Me, personally, I really don't care," Moss said. "But at the same time, I do answer questions throughout the week. For the league to fine me $25,000, I'm not going to answer any more questions for the rest of this year. If it's going to be an interview, I'm going to conduct [it]. ... I'll ask myself the questions, then give y'all the answers. So from here on out, I'm not answering any more questions for the rest of this season."

It sounds like to me the Vikings, who have enough distractions this year with Brett Favre and the fiasco of a season they had thus far, wasn't willing to put up with Moss's mess. His talent has long covered up for his antics and he was given the benefit of the doubt. Now that two teams have given up on him (Not to mention two respected men of football in Bill Belicheck and Brad Childress),what will the market be for Moss? He is now the a disgruntled, outspoken and to some team cancer wide recevier. He still has a lot available to give when he is motivated to play but he will always have something to say that may not be the best team wise. Its sad to see such a great player done in by his own mouth. The league will always give chances to guys with talent just look at Pacman Jones and other misfits. Randy Moss has now come to a crossroads in his career. It's his choice on how it ends from here.