Bye Week Blues After Cardinals Snooze Well what do you know, this guarantee thing appears to work! In reality tabbing your team to beat the 2007 Cards is hardly a reach, akin in fact to stating that Belichick won’t crack a smile again until Week 16, but at least we won the damn game and got our record back into the black so to speak. Besides my prediction of a kick-off return TD proved complete hogwash as usual for the umpteenth consecutive year, so don’t place any great authority in any of my “gut” feelings. Though I fervently detest bye weeks,this year's is actually timed quite well for us, giving a decent stop off point in the schedule to rest and recuperate some weary bodies and reflect on what we have left to do. As pointed out previously I think we are at the pivotal point of our season, and the next two weeks present very winnable games – clinch those and we are right in the thick of it until the death, but if we dare drop a game to the lowly Falcons or toothless Skins on our own patch, then can we really hold a candle to any realistic play-off aspirations? Given the paucity of optimism back in training camp, it seems absurd we are having such thoughts, but here we are and its time to take advantage of what now looks like a relatively kind schedule the rest of the way. A few things I think 1. I think its good to see Mike Davidson’s column on the site, and well written it is too. Welcome to the nuthouse Mike. 2. Earnest Graham – keep it up fella. The jobs now yours to lose just as you always dreamed it would be. Beware of the return of Mr Bicep though and watch out for that Hummer in the car park. 3. Good stuff from Gene in the commentary box last week, on one play using his staple “mugged and mauled” for a carry by Edgerrin James only to then confirm a gain of 5 on the play! Quite how Gene doesn’t wet himself when calling a Joey G long TD catch I don’t know but it’s always an entertaining play in more ways than one. 4. Glad to see the daft turnovers eliminated this past weekend. That’s simply the key for us, and putting the game in Jeff Garcia’s hands is proving a handy crutch for us to lean on. Like him or not, the guys a skilled game manager in the NFL and the fact that he gets on with Chucky is to our benefit. 5. No I’m not going soft on the Twits in my old age, and Ill have a rant at them soon when they decide to become relevant again, or we hear the usual boneheaded comments from any members of their defense who anointed themselves as great a few years ago. Yeah right; Julius “legend” Peppers is having himself a Gaines Adams of a season from what I can see. 6. That second quarter one handed catch by Randy Moss is arguably the best I’ve ever seen in 20 odd years of watching football, it was that good. And yes despite the doubters, Moss is that good too and it pains me to write it, but he is. We kept the Cardinals in the game for far too long last week, and to have a 19-play, three-hour (it felt like it!) drive and then have a tight end drop a dolly catch in the endzone, only to be topped off by the kicker missing a chip shot was a real kick in the teeth. That must be an NFL record to add to our dubious collection for length of a single possession but coming up snake eyes. Fortunately the football gods decided to smile on us with the Jermaine Phillips interception that wasn’t, but thankfully ruled on the field as good so we’ll take it. Mr Phillips and Tanard Jackson appear to be packing a bit of a punch this season and Jackson looks the absolute pick of our draft litter this year, though a nod is also due to Aaron Sears; the less said about Gaines Adams the better who’s rookie diary should be termed “Memoirs of an Invisible Man.” Head on the Block Time Last week 9-4 (season 78-51 ) Lock of the week 1-1 I would have picked the Steelers as well but that’s easy to say now so no mark for it and a smack upside the head from the teacher – this weeks forces of good over evil are. KC Wolfmen Boy I Love Losing Superbowlers Cheese Stillers Aints (put it in the bank, its like buying money if you bet, lock of the week) Oilers Deadskins Twits (yeah I know, but if Im taking it seriously I can’t pick the dogfighters can I) Ravens Muppets of the Midway Marinelli’s Romo’s Peyton and his Friends Seahawks. For my sins I strayed onto the Cheats vs Colts battle, and rooted vehemently for the Colts. Sadly it wasn’t to be despite The Cosmic Clap’s Joseph “Live and Let” Addai’s best efforts. I understand the need to put an end to the smug 72 Dolphins and their rather pathetic little get together each year, but I’m sorry people, I just can’t stand Belichick and the Cheating scandal does taint this team – if it was only a minor thing why was a 1st round draft pick docked as a result of the affair? Time to enjoy the bye week anyway and put the feet up in the traditional style, in front of the TV and watch another 6 hours of glorious NFL action this Sunday. I’d wager most of the Bucs roster will be doing the same. Nod of Acknowledgement to - Adrian Peterson One word, wow. You just aren’t supposed to have games like that as a rookie, against a top ten NFL defense. This guy might just be the mutts nuts. Get in the Real World Award - Chris Henry Fresh off a suspension, and in the week before his return to the NFL the guy gets involved in a ruck with a car park attendant and tops it off by throwing a $5 bill in the floor, and using the immortal “Do you know who I am?” line – yes we do Mr Brain of Cincinnatti, you’re a dickhead who never will get it. Mr Goodell please remove this malcontent for another 8 games. Sports News Story I No Longer Give a Toss About – A-Rod free agent derby Apparently his agent is after a $300m plus contract – say what? For hitting a baseball? I think I’m stuck in a parallel universe.