Football Fix

1. The Browns are in serious serious trouble. They isn't enough space on the internet to talk about how poorly positioned the Browns are. They hired the wrong guy. They picked the wrong quarterback. It would hard for it to get any worse. There were multiple reports last week discussing how agents are steering their players away from the Browns for the distant future. A lot of you probably read the quote from an anonymous agent stating that "he would have his client sign on another team's practice squad before he would have them sign with the Browns." That's an unbelievable quote. The sample size is still small, but the Mangini-Kokenius has been brutal so far. I wrote in April how you had to take Rey Maliuga when you traded back into the second round. Really hard to see him causing chaos for the Bengals D in an epic win for them, while at the same time seeing Brian Robiskie in sweats and a t-shirt on the sidelines. He's not even hurt. He's just not good enough to be one of the 53 guys who dress. Incredible. Mangini is a smart but very shy man. He has to learn how to deal with the important decisions better and get his organization back on track.

2. Jacory Harris is emerging as one of the best guys in college football. That guy is scary good. And how good are the Canes? They have a huge game this week in Blacksburg that is really gonna dictate where their season goes from here. They also have Oklahoma coming up on the schedule. If they beat both of those teams, I would love to see them hanging around with a shot to play in the big game. A Florida-Miami would be fun. But back to Harris. He has been lights out in the two big TV games. He was poised down the stretch of Fla St. game and put on an absolute clinic in the Ga Tech game last Thursday. He's so comfortable back there, it's like watching Rudy Kirbus order dinner at Pizzazz. Hats off to offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, for creating a system that allows his guys to be comfortable. Whipple has been tremendous and creating mis-matches, and Harris has been great at recognizing them, and hitting them.

3. Mario Manningham is getting his shot, and in typical Manningham fashion he is not missing it. That guy can play. He has always been able to play. Ever since he was freshman in high school. I used to annoy the crap outta people watching Michigan games just constantly saying "no one can cover Mario." "No one can stay in front of this guy." He just runs by whoever he wants. I know he was playing in the Big Ten, but he made a couple 50 yard + plays every game. He's played in probably 8 career NFL games, and he might already be the best double cut route runner in the league. That's his calling card. If you looked at all his career TDs at Michigan, I bet 33% of the were off double cuts. He's dominant with those routes. It'll be interesting to see if he can keep this momentum going. He's not very fast. So the film could reveal how to stop his double cut dominance. But he showed a ton of moxie in that second half. He has great quickness and balance.

4. How bout Rex Ryan and the Jets? Pretty impressive win on Sunday. I love a lot of things about Coach Rex Ryan. He's an arrogant guy, but he can really get through to his players and he can really coach defense. Every highlight they showed of that game, you just saw what seemed to be 5-6 Jets guys coming with a free shot at Tom Brady. It was one of those days where Rex Ryan's scheme could do no wrong. There will be times, when you look at his play calls and just say "wow, that's some unsound shit." But not on Sunday. That was a clinic. Darrell Revis threw his name in the ring as the best corner in the league. It's always nice when you have a guy who check Randy Moss without help. And of course, Matt Sanchez played very nicely. Watch out for the Jets. They are playing with a ton of confidence.

5. JerryWorld, the new Cowboys stadium is impressive. That seems like a really cool place. Bummer his team spoiled the debut. Eli had a hand in that too. But that's a destination that you gotta put on your list of places to see a game. I know my buddy John Reese has checked it out a few times. I'll have to get his review on it. But how bout the 30,000 capacity worth of just standing room? Yea, you can buy tickets where you just stand in respective standing room areas. Unbelievable. And of course the screen is just mesmerizing for players and fans. But that's definitely on my list. It's actually been on the list. I am shooting for NBA All Star Weekend in February. Should be a treat. Mark Cuban and Jerry in charge. I dunno how they fuck that one up.

6. One of my favorite players in the league, Tony Romo, can't get over the hump. It's such a bummer. He's gotta get something going in big games. It's becoming harder and harder to defend the guy. The defense that he's a good guy, decent golfer, and good at pulling talent can only take the apologists so far. Everybody is quick to pile on him. He threw that bad pick 6 in the game on Sunday night, where he had to know it was cover 2 and just made a bad play. Collinsworth was all over him, talking about how he got confused. He wasn't confused. He knew he had cover 2, he just made a shitty play. But he has to start coming into his own soon. STEP UP AND PLAY GREAT FOOTBALL IN THE CLUTCH. EARN YOUR MONEY.

7. David Lee and Dan Henning are geniuses. Those guys are of course, the Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. I watched the first half of that game, and every single offensive play the Fins ran in that first half were incredibly good. Their wildcat formations were popping for about 10 yards a crack. The play action plays had guys running wideeee open. It was an impressive performance. They are revolutionizing the game. I realize that they didn't win, but what they are doing with their personnel talent level is really good. They are using everything they have to about full capacity. And how bad is Ted Ginn Jr? He makes Brian Hartline look like Calvin Johnson. He dropped 2 touchdown passes that could have won them the game. 2 touchdown catches that good WR in high school make. It's amazing that he hasn't learned how to be a player yet with all his speed and quickness. And yea, the 11 for 105 is great if you're a fantasy dork and need 10 points to win. He was a big factor in them losing that game. And he stinks.

8. I don't care for Lane Kiffin much, but he's pretty funny with quick hitter and funny comebacks. After Urban Meyer backhanded him with the quote about how Tennessee wasn't trying to win, so that's why FLA was conservative with their playing calling, Lane came right back with an arrogant slap at Urban. If only Lane was a better coach, this could really turn into something. He's just comic relief until he learns to keep his mouth shut and coach his guys.

9. My fantasy squad got crushed this weekend. I am so disappointed in who I picked. I can't believe how bad I was. I thought Ray Rice was gonna get the goal line snaps in Bmore. So far, it's Ray Rice 0 touchdowns, Willis Mcgahee 4. Greg Jennings and Eddie Royal haven't found their mojos yet. Deangelo Williams is in purgatory in Carolina right now. He's averaging about 5 yards a pop, but he's not getting the rock. Romo has to cut down on his picks and start throwing some touchdowns. Team Marlo Stanfield is a mess to say the least. I am confident however, that I am gonna get some guys in my lineup that are ready to get busy.

10. Sad day for Plaxico Burress. Only in New York. Only in New York.