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Jon Kitna is at it again. He is calling for 10 victories, but for a different reason.

No, Jon is not crazy. Well, maybe a little, he did agree to play for the Detroit Lions. Nobody made him do it.

This year Jon is calling for 10 victories, because that would mean they are in the playoffs and that would mean they are more than competitive. That would mean a very successful season for the team.

Just as he did last off-season — and again earlier this year — Kitna said Tuesday that the Lions should not accept less than 10 wins. The team went 7-9 in 2007.

“Our expectation is we will be disappointed if we don’t win 10 games,” he said after the Lions’ first Organized Team Activities practice in Allen Park. “Because that will mean we’re not in the playoffs and that (stinks). I can’t make it any simpler than that. Anybody who says that’s not their expectation level is, unfortunately, not very much of a competitor.”

source

Ok, all that scoffing has to stop right now. The Lions will be better and even though that does not always translate into more victories, Jon believes it will.

Let’s take a look at their schedule.

Sun 9/7 at Atlanta 1:00 pm
Sun 9/14 Green Bay 1:00 pm
Sun 9/21 at San Francisco 4:05 pm
bye
Sun 10/5 Chicago 1:00 pm
Sun 10/12 at Minnesota 1:00 pm
Sun 10/19 at Houston 4:05 pm
Sun 10/26 Washington 1:00 pm
Sun 11/2 at Chicago 1:00 pm
Sun 11/9 Jacksonville 1:00 pm
Sun 11/16 at Carolina 1:00 pm
Sun 11/23 Tampa Bay 1:00 pm
Thu 11/27 Tennessee 12:30 pm
Sun 12/7 Minnesota 1:00 pm
Sun 12/14 at Indianapolis 1:00 pm
Sun 12/21 New Orleans 1:00 pm
Sun 12/28 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

source

Certainly playing in a division without any other proven quarterbacks, now that Brett Favre is gone, has to help.

There are also games with non powerhouse teams like Atlanta, Houston, Carolina, and Washington.

Certainly a lot of winnable games on the schedule, but what Detroit Lions team will we get? Gone is Mike Martz and the least fabulous show on Earth and in its place is a running offense without a tailback. Ouch.

Gone is the on again off again Shaun Rodgers from defensive tackle with more emphasis on speed and youth.

This will be Coach Rod Marinelli’s team to live with or die with.

Good Luck, Jon Kitna, on your attempt at 10 victories.

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Just where is this one going?

For the second time this week, the Seattle Seahawks have landed a free agent running back. NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reports the team reached an agreement Friday night with former Cowboys running back Julius Jones. source

Just this week the Seahawks signed T.J. Duckett from the Detroit Lions.

You have to believe it means the end of Maurice Morris or Shaun Alexander.

From 2001 to 2005 Shaun had 5 spectacular seasons, each one over 1,000 yards peaking in 2005 with 1880 yards and 27 touchdowns. The 27 touchdowns was at that time an NFL record for one season.

Could Seattle be ready to part ways with Shaun Alexander?

Duckett and Jones

Still, with the Seattle Seahawks adding Duckett and Jones to make for a league of runners going into spring training, there will be questions about the new backs as well as the old.

Duckett has failed to distinguish himself after leaving Atlanta and traveling to Washington and Detroit.

Jones, after a bright rookie year, has yet to follow through to stardom.

A second-round draft choice in 2004, Jones rushed for 2,896 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Cowboys. Last year, however, the focus shifted to Marion Barber, who racked up 975 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to being voted to the Pro Bowl. Jones, despite starting 16 games and running behind a line that included three Pro Bowl blockers, had career lows in attempts (164), yards (588), average per carry (3.6) and touchdowns (two).

Jones, 26, has had durability issues. He missed 11 games his first two seasons because of bruised ribs, a fractured scapula (2004) and a sprained ankle (2005). But he still rushed for 819 yards as a rookie and 933 in his second season. source

But the handwriting is on the wall; the running production of Shaun Alexander will most likely never be what it was and Seattle is dedicated to balancing out their heavy passing attack.

NFL Football Fan Question Which is it, Shaun Alexander or Maurice Morris?

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Eli Manning - Hey, my mechanics are bad will you still play on my team? We won the Super Bowl!

Rivals.com reports the advanced scouting for the off season.

Here is the lowdown on the New York Giants.

Key needs: 1. Safety 2. Cornerback 3. Linebacker

1. Safety - Starter Gibril Wilson could walk in free agency if he’s not tagged this week. This position is a major need for the Giants.

2. Cornerback - Age and depth are issues here. A quality prospect would be a welcome addition.

3. Linebacker - Two linebackers are up in free agency, and this becomes a top priority if they lose both. source

It seems odd to see the Giants in need of defense, but a football team has only so many players and they all get older and injured.

The other 3 teams in the NFC East Division, Washington, Philadelphia, and Dallas, all have good cores and will be reloading this off season. It may be very difficult for the Giants to even win the division.

It would be an easy argument to say the Cowboys are the best team in the NFC East Division and perhaps in the whole NFC Conference, even with an aging Terrell Owens.

Philadelphia needs a few more weapons on offense and Washington was a surprise contending team for much of the season.

This is not the time for the New York Giants to just parade Michael Strahan and Eli Manning around and relish in the Super Bowl aftermath.

The New York Giants need players!

NFL Football Fan Question Who would you like the Giants to pick up?

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Joe Gibbs can’t believe it

It was like the momentum had swung all the way into the hands of the Washington Redskins and visions of a Sean Taylor memorial Super Bowl was dancing in their heads.

The final score was Seattle 35 - Washington 14.

Note from intrepid author: Be sure to read to the bottom to see the real reason Seattle wins. It is not what you think.

Oddly, this was a close game at one time firmly planted in Washington’s direction.

Then swoosh, it changed and the winds blew in the other direction. The game became all Seattle in the 4th quarter and all because of two plays.

The first play involved Nate Burleson of the Seattle Seahawks. It was really strange. Washington had just scored to take the lead early in the fourth quarter and Matt Hasselbeck was not playing very good at all.

It appeared at that point that with a good defensive stand that Washington could win the game. They were leading 14 - 13.

Then the second play that moved everything in Seattle’s direction was a Read more

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In the AFC
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh
Tennessee at San Diego

In the NFC
Washington at Seattle
NY Giants at Tampa Bay

2nd round
In the AFC
Low AFC seed at New England
High AFC seed at Indianapolis

In the NFC
Low NFC seed at Dallas
High NFC seed at Green Bay

source

Surprises: Jacksonville, Tampa Bay. How did they do it?

Downside: 49er’s, Eagles. What happened to these teams?

Side note: Brett Favre shredded my Lions for a quick 21 point lead on 2 touchdown passes before leaving the game at the start of the 2nd quarter. He looked brilliant and ageless.

Side note II: Miami managed to lose their last game, but did not pull off the perfect season going 1 - 15. So close! Good Luck, Big Tuna!

Side note III: We may get another Colts vs. Patriots, Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning, Terrell Owens vs. Randy Moss battle again.

Side note IV: Has Tony Romo amazed you this year?

NFL Football Fan Question Who are you rooting for?

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Todd Collins, just one more time

Sunday the Washington Redskins had a very important victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

They held the all powerful Adrian Peterson to 9 rushes for 27 yards and went on to beat the Vikings 32 - 21.

The Redskins have turned to Todd Collins at quarterback over Jason Campbell and their fortunes have turned for the better.

Who would have thought that at this time the Redskins could be approaching the Cowboy game with playoff aspirations?

Even better, would you have thought that the Redskins would control their own destiny at this point?

Where is this all coming from? Clinton Portis thinks he knows.

It might not have seemed possible, but after beating the Minnesota Vikings, 32-21, on Sunday night, the Redskins (8-7) are in control of their playoff destiny. All they need is a victory over the Dallas Cowboys next weekend.

Washington running back Clinton Portis thinks the Redskins are getting a little help from above.

“I think once we got our angel up situated in heaven, he gave us all the strength in the world,” referring to former teammate Sean Taylor, who died after being shot in his Florida home during a burglary attempt. “Now guys go out and just play and have fun.” source

It is too bad Sean is not here to participate in this Washington drive for the playoffs.

Redskins catch a break

Now it seem that things are going to get even better. Read more

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Let’s take a look at the NFL Playoff picture.

NFC
Dallas, Green Bay, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Giants are in.
Dallas has the home field advantage.
Green Bay gets a first round bye.
The Giants got one of the wild cards.
Minnesota gets the other wild card with a victory or Saints loss.

Comments - Dallas, Green Bay, and Seattle all look pretty solid. Is Tampa really in the playoffs? Wouldn’t you love to see Brett Favre get one more ring!

Knocked out - Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and St. Louis. Wow, Chicago after a dominant Super Bowl year! Detroit in spite of Kitna’s 10 or more wins prediction. Up and coming San Francisco was never up and coming.

AFC
New England, Indianapolis, San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville are in.
Jacksonville is one of the wild cards.
Cleveland needs a victory or Titans loss to get the other wild card.
Tennessee needs a victory, and it won’t be easy, facing the Colts, if they are to get the other wild card.

Comments - New England looks incredible. Colts and Chargers are solid, but will eventually have to visit New England. Name one Jacksonville player. Cleveland can continue the Derek Anderson story.

Knocked out - Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, N.Y. Jets, and Oakland. Baltimore after a surprising playoff year last year with great defense. Poised to be in the playoffs Denver never could get it really rolling. Now we know the real reason Saban left Miami.

NFL Football Fan Question Who are you picking to win each conference?

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Be sure to check out my companion blog at NBA Obsessed.

This is Dr. Frankenstein reviewing Squibkick.com

Roy plays wide receiver on the Lions and is quick to boast of what he is going to do. He will tell you how many touchdowns he will score or by how many points his team will win.

The whole Lions team is crazy that way, with the most ludicrous statement of all coming from Jon Kitna predicting 10 victories.

This is great for the Squibster.

Anytime anything is wrong in my life or any Lions fan life, we can start a rant on the Lions and how pathetic they are.

Lately though it has been a dangerous time in my life. The Lions are actually winning.

The new coach has slowly been getting rid of all the bad attitudes and coming up with a new winning attitude.

What is there to rant about? The Lions are a nice bunch of guys so determined to win?

That is no good.

So, looking around the league, your intrepid author tried to find a team that could give him that good old losing feeling.

My eyes fell upon Atlanta. Song erupted from my throat. “You’ve got that losssssing feeeling. Oh a oh, that looooosing feeeling” Ok, it was not pretty.

But here is a team with an owner by the name of Blank. Which is what his mind had to be to let Vick carry on for so long. Vick actually gave the finger to his own fans. His own fans! And Blank did Blank about it.

Here is a team whose best receiver is a tight end named Crumpler. Sounds like a good name for a linebacker.

Here is a team that actually went out and got Joey Harrington, a known loser and made him their starter.

Here is a team with a grand losing tradition.

It all looked so perfect until my Lions were destroyed by the Washington Redskins. My Lions rants were back. No need to pretend to root for the Atlanta Falcons. They can even win if they want to. Who cares?

My house guest, Dr. Frankenstein, immediately noticed the change in my persona.

He screamed out, “He’s alive! He’s alive, alive!”

NFL Football Fan Question Are you alive?

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Vince Young is passed over for the first game

Vince Young was benched for the first exhibition game and while that may seem like a fortunate thing for many starters, since they play very little, it was not very fortunate for Vince, because he needs reps, reps, and more reps.

Tennessee lost to Washington 14 - 6.

So Vince was benched, so what?

Don’t even attempt to make this into a big deal, but don’t let it go either.

Vince needs to be the leader of this Titans team. He exhibited the ability to produce victories last year. That is a very rare commodity in the sports world and is to be treasured.

So why was Vince Young benched? Read more