More random thoughts on the NFL and some other stuff.....

The NFL playoffs have officially become like the NCAA tournament. Starting with the 6 seed Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005 to the #3 seed Indianapolis Colts in 2006 to the Giants magical run in 2007 to what we have right now. The Arizona Cardinals are the NFL's version of George Mason. Lets see how long Cinderella's slipper stays on.

Speaking of the Cardinals, this little run they're mucks up the Kurt Warner contract situation that much more. If Warner takes them to the Super Bowl, how do they not re-sign him? But how do you pay him when you've got big money committed to Matt Leinart and Warner's 37? Because Cardinals' ownership is not big on spending money, its probably less of an issue than I'm making it, but lets see how far they get.

And by the way, who woke Edgerrin James?? Probably his agent, considering he's positive he's getting cut and he needs a new contract. The way he's running now, he'd look nice on some team's running back committee. But Edge better be prepared to take a pay cut.

Speaking of pay cuts, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo isn't having the best 2009 so far. He originally wouldn't interview for the St. Louis Rams head coaching position because he was " out of their price range." Now, his vaunted Giants defense was shredded by the Eagles and most of the open jobs seem to be filling up quickly. The Broncos hired Josh McDaniels today, who by the way looks so much like Ashton Kutcher that I thought he was going to get Punked during the press conference, but I digress. It looks like the Lions are sweet on Jim Schwartz and the Jets are waiting for Rex Ryan. That leaves the Rams and the Raiders. The Rams really like Jason Garrett and the Raiders haven't come calling. And before someone says that Spags is a highly paid coordinator, remember so is Garrett. Opportunuties for the big chair are fleeting, thats why you've got to grab them when they're there.

WHile I'm on the Giants, maybe I spoke a little soon abiut wanting Eli in Green Bay in January. Or maybe I just needed to be more specific. I'll take Eli in Green Bay in January with Plaxico Burress and only with Plaxico Burress.

Can Andy Reid shave already? I expected the side judge to drop a quarter in his pocket as he walked by on the sideline yesterday. And doesn't he look like Chris Farley dressed up in his "DA Bears" costume??

The Carolina Panthers very rapidly reached an organizational crossroads this past Saturday night. They've got very good personnel on both sides of the ball for the exception of two areas, defensive back and quarterback. They can certainly address the secondary in free agency because they don't have a first round pick. But what do you do at quarterback? Its clear that Jake Delhomme is not the same quarterback after Tommy John surgery. Its not like he's a relief pitcher who can just throw more curveballs. He doesn't have it and he was horrifically exposed on Saturday night. Their best bet is a one year solution to see if they can make one more run before they decide to draft a qb. Think Kurt Warner might be available? Or what about bringing Kerry Collins back?

Speaking of Collins, I don't think the Titans bring him back. He had a very good year. But they're paying Vince Young a lot of money. Young is only going to sit for so long at that pricetag. And its the right move. Collins took them as far as he's capable of taking them. They're going to have to Young the keys at some point to see if he's got it. If he isn't any good, their 3rd stringer, Chris Simms, can do the same thing for them that Collins can do and he'll be much cheaper. I'm not a Young fan, but the Titans are smart. They manage their cap very well and stay competitive year after year, even with shaky first round picks like Young and Pacman Jones.

Whats the over/under on how long it takes Tony Dungy to take a lucrative long term contract to turn around a 3-13 franchise? I say 3 years and I'll take the under. A man's faith may help him sleep at night, but it doesn't pay the bills.

A few NBA thoughts before I leave you this evening........

The Celtics are not as good as their 27-2 start and they're not as bad as they've looked losing their last 7 out of 10. But the fact that their 3 best players are all advancing well into their thirties and that they do not have enough depth may very well undermine their chances to repeat. As regular readers of this space know, I'm not the biggest fan of the Danny Ainge/Doc Rivers team in Boston. And they've done nothing but shut me up. But if they think that Stephon Marbury is the answer to what ails them, they get what they deserve. They'd be better off adding another big man, because to get through Cleveland they're going to have to match up with Wallace, Ilgauskas, and Varejao and that might not even be enough.

I understand that the free agent class of 2010 is rich with talent. But with all these teams making trades designed to be big players that year, isn't it inevitable that one or two organizations get caught holding the bag. If its the Knicks, watch how fast Donnie Walsh jets out of town.

I know that the Pistons made the Billups/Iverson trade to create cap room for 2010, but they've created an athletic, experienced group that can be a brutal matchup for the Celtics or the Cavaliers in the playoffs. The whole key is to keep Rasheed Wallace and Iverson from killing each other before the playoffs. I'm not sure if Michael Curry is the guy to handle that but he's got them moving in the right direction.

I'm not sure what round of the playoffs this is going to happen but something tells me we are in for a Spurs-Lakers epic this spring.

Lots of coaches fired early in the season, which is a surprising but makes sense especially when general managers sell ownership on the quality of the talent. But the replacements that have been hired is downright shocking. Guys with no head coaching experience get hired while Jay Triano, Tony DiLeo, and Ed Tapscott are roaming the NBA sidelines while established winners like Mike Fratello and Jeff Van Gundy remain behind microphones. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Back later in the week. Y'all be cool. Giddyap.