Hope the Raiders make one hell of a deal and give up all the rest of the picks to the team that picks Luck up. Luck would be perfect in the Raider organization now. Al Davis is worm food and the it's only going to get better. I can honestly picture Luck on the back of a Raider jersey right now than any other team and make things happen right off the back. Ok, I'm dreamin' a little.
http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/2011/10/nfl-suck-4-luck-power-rankings-week-8/
Suck 4 Luck Power Rankings: Week 8
1. Miami Dolphins (0-6)
This is not to take anything away from the impressive case that Indianapolis made last night for the #1 spot in these prestigious rankings, but sometimes margin of defeat and margin of suck are not directly correlated.
Unlike many teams that are winless this far into the season, the Dolphins have actually, legitimately outplayed most of their opponents for the majority of their games. If you’ve spent any time watching this team, you know that this amazing statement is true. To continue losing while outplaying teams, in some respects, is more pathetic than just straight up sucking…like the Rams. (More on that steaming batch of suck in a minute.)
Yesterday, the Dolphins became the first team since the merger to lose a game in which they were up by 15 or more points with three minutes or less to play in regulation. And they lost to a team that was being led by some of the worst quarterback play I’ve ever seen. I’m on record as liking and supporting Tim Tebow’s NFL chances, but there is no other way to describe his play through 55 minutes yesterday than the following sentence. Up until Denver’s improbable comeback, I could have dropped a deuce in a brown paper sack, lit it on fire, and set it on someone’s porch, and bystanders (even the owner of the house on whose porch the turd sack was flaming) would have had a hard time deciphering whether that or Tebow was better suited to play QB in the NFL.
Between allowing Tebow to be Good Tebow during those final five minutes, and not recovering an inside kick that was in their hands, and the awful call by Tony Sparano to go for two, and the oh-so-appropriate shots of Stephen Ross chatting up Urban Meyer during the 4th quarter…the smog of suck that engulfed Miami yesterday simply cannot be topped, even though Drew Brees just now threw another TD pass against the Colts.
Speaking of…
2. Indianapolis Colts (0-7)
Congratulations to the Colts, the first team to seven losses in 2011! Round of applause everybody!
Colts fans looking for solace after the Sunday night drubbing in New Orleans (62-7…’nuff said) need to look no further than Jim Caldwell’s post game comments (via PFT).
“I have to take responsibility for our team and the way that they played. We just didn’t play well,” Caldwell said. “I think the guys fought. We didn’t execute well, but I think the effort was good.”
A team loses by 55 points, and the head coach takes responsibility? What a shocking and rare display of leadership by the catatonic Caldwell. That’ll turn some shiz some around!
To celebrate, here is an animated GIF of Caldwell taking responsibility:
Image source: The Scores Report
And be heartened Colts fans: the men who get paid millions to play a game “fought” and “the effort was good.” Whew. Good to know. Both are unexpected positives to take away from last night’s Mardi Gross celebration on Colts Fans Need Borboun Street.
Still, at least the Colts got bludgeoned by a good team. And at least their fans knew it was over within five minutes, rather than the Dolphins, who tricked their fans into thinking they’d get a win against a bad team until five minutes were left in the game.
3. St. Louis Rams (0-6)
The Rams got manhandled by the Cowboys. There is not other way to describe it.
Dallas’ offense had been having trouble running in place this season, let alone forward for positive yardage. Yet, somehow, with backup running rookie DeMarco Murray filling in for the injured Felix Jones, and a bevy of offensive line issues, the Cowboys rushed for damn near 300 yards en route to a 34-7 bitch slap of Steve Spagnuolo’s crew.
I’m not going to come down as hard on the Rams as I am on the Dolphins or Colts though. The Rams will actually be getting their starting QB back soon, plus they were probably still dizzy on Sunday morning from watching Albert Pujols hit homer after homer Saturday night at The Ballpark in Arlington. And the addition of Brandon Lloyd should improve their offense moving forward.
With these teams clearly at the head of the bottom of the class, it’s your turn to tell us who you think is #1:
Who do you think should be #1 in the "Suck 4 Luck" Power Rankings?
Indianapolis Colts
Miami Dolphins
St. Louis Rams
View Results
4. No one
I’m skipping #4, because truly no other NFL team deserves to within a spot of the three teams I’ve already broken down. They are more than just a combined 0-19. They are making it almost a compliment to describe what they are doing as “suck”. We may need a new word for these power rankings, even if it doesn’t rhyme with Luck. Any suggestions?
5. Arizona Cardinals (1-5)
The Cardinals really aren’t that far behind the trisuckverate listed above. If it weren’t for their close Week 1 victory in Cam Newton’s first start, Arizona would be winless and already dreaming of a life that doesn’t so closely resemble Kolb. But they do have some games left against Seattle and St. Louis, so that should net them a victory or two, even if Chris “Porcelain” Wells is injured and can’t play.
Suck 4 Luck Power Rankings: Week 8
1. Miami Dolphins (0-6)
This is not to take anything away from the impressive case that Indianapolis made last night for the #1 spot in these prestigious rankings, but sometimes margin of defeat and margin of suck are not directly correlated.
Unlike many teams that are winless this far into the season, the Dolphins have actually, legitimately outplayed most of their opponents for the majority of their games. If you’ve spent any time watching this team, you know that this amazing statement is true. To continue losing while outplaying teams, in some respects, is more pathetic than just straight up sucking…like the Rams. (More on that steaming batch of suck in a minute.)
Yesterday, the Dolphins became the first team since the merger to lose a game in which they were up by 15 or more points with three minutes or less to play in regulation. And they lost to a team that was being led by some of the worst quarterback play I’ve ever seen. I’m on record as liking and supporting Tim Tebow’s NFL chances, but there is no other way to describe his play through 55 minutes yesterday than the following sentence. Up until Denver’s improbable comeback, I could have dropped a deuce in a brown paper sack, lit it on fire, and set it on someone’s porch, and bystanders (even the owner of the house on whose porch the turd sack was flaming) would have had a hard time deciphering whether that or Tebow was better suited to play QB in the NFL.
Between allowing Tebow to be Good Tebow during those final five minutes, and not recovering an inside kick that was in their hands, and the awful call by Tony Sparano to go for two, and the oh-so-appropriate shots of Stephen Ross chatting up Urban Meyer during the 4th quarter…the smog of suck that engulfed Miami yesterday simply cannot be topped, even though Drew Brees just now threw another TD pass against the Colts.
Speaking of…
2. Indianapolis Colts (0-7)
Congratulations to the Colts, the first team to seven losses in 2011! Round of applause everybody!
Colts fans looking for solace after the Sunday night drubbing in New Orleans (62-7…’nuff said) need to look no further than Jim Caldwell’s post game comments (via PFT).
“I have to take responsibility for our team and the way that they played. We just didn’t play well,” Caldwell said. “I think the guys fought. We didn’t execute well, but I think the effort was good.”
A team loses by 55 points, and the head coach takes responsibility? What a shocking and rare display of leadership by the catatonic Caldwell. That’ll turn some shiz some around!
To celebrate, here is an animated GIF of Caldwell taking responsibility:
Image source: The Scores Report
And be heartened Colts fans: the men who get paid millions to play a game “fought” and “the effort was good.” Whew. Good to know. Both are unexpected positives to take away from last night’s Mardi Gross celebration on Colts Fans Need Borboun Street.
Still, at least the Colts got bludgeoned by a good team. And at least their fans knew it was over within five minutes, rather than the Dolphins, who tricked their fans into thinking they’d get a win against a bad team until five minutes were left in the game.
3. St. Louis Rams (0-6)
The Rams got manhandled by the Cowboys. There is not other way to describe it.
Dallas’ offense had been having trouble running in place this season, let alone forward for positive yardage. Yet, somehow, with backup running rookie DeMarco Murray filling in for the injured Felix Jones, and a bevy of offensive line issues, the Cowboys rushed for damn near 300 yards en route to a 34-7 bitch slap of Steve Spagnuolo’s crew.
I’m not going to come down as hard on the Rams as I am on the Dolphins or Colts though. The Rams will actually be getting their starting QB back soon, plus they were probably still dizzy on Sunday morning from watching Albert Pujols hit homer after homer Saturday night at The Ballpark in Arlington. And the addition of Brandon Lloyd should improve their offense moving forward.
With these teams clearly at the head of the bottom of the class, it’s your turn to tell us who you think is #1:
Who do you think should be #1 in the "Suck 4 Luck" Power Rankings?
Indianapolis Colts
Miami Dolphins
St. Louis Rams
View Results
4. No one
I’m skipping #4, because truly no other NFL team deserves to within a spot of the three teams I’ve already broken down. They are more than just a combined 0-19. They are making it almost a compliment to describe what they are doing as “suck”. We may need a new word for these power rankings, even if it doesn’t rhyme with Luck. Any suggestions?
5. Arizona Cardinals (1-5)
The Cardinals really aren’t that far behind the trisuckverate listed above. If it weren’t for their close Week 1 victory in Cam Newton’s first start, Arizona would be winless and already dreaming of a life that doesn’t so closely resemble Kolb. But they do have some games left against Seattle and St. Louis, so that should net them a victory or two, even if Chris “Porcelain” Wells is injured and can’t play.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/foot...phins-lead-andrew-luck-sweepstakes/51009644/1
Colts, Dolphins lead Andrew Luck Sweepstakes
By Julio Cortez,, AP
The Dolphins' Steve Slaton is tackled by the Giants' Michael Boley, left, and Deon Grant. Miami and Indianapolis remain the only winless NFL teams.
By Tom Weir and Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY
Published: 10/31/2011 0:03:43 AM
"To the victor go the spoils" is a cliché that doesn't always necessarily apply to the NFL, at least in regard to getting drafting rights to the next prized college quarterback.
This season, that distinction belongs to Andrew Luck, the Stanford quarterback who is almost universally regarded as a can't-miss performer at the next level. After defeats Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts (0-8) and Miami Dolphins (0-7) lead the Luck sweepstakes — getting the No.1 pick in the 2012 draft — as the only clubs still searching for their first win. The Colts fell behind early in a 27-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Dolphins lost in a more heartbreaking fashion, falling 20-17 to the New York Giants after leading for most of the game.
Talk of teams playing to win the Luck sweepstakes and not games has blossomed on social media sites. Earlier Sunday, ESPN analyst and former NFL player Cris Carter dismissed that notion: "Football players, it is not in our DNA when we go onto the field not to go at 100%."
USA TODAY recaps the Colts' and Dolphins' road losses:
Colts can't get going vs. Titans
As the Indianapolis Colts trudged off LP Field, Peyton Manning tried to oblige a fan in the state where he played his college ball by throwing his hat into the stands.
It took two tries, just one more thing that didn't go right for the injured quarterback's team Sunday.
Manning's replacement, Curtis Painter, was intercepted twice — once on a pass that was tipped from one Tennessee Titans defensive back to another and once on a throw that was batted from a defensive end to a linebacker.
The Titans also scored a touchdown on a blocked punt, and the Colts fell behind 20-0 in the first half while committing eight penalties and failing to cross midfield.
It was that kind of day in Nashville for the team that's giving up an NFL-worst 31.5 points a game. Indianapolis fell to 0-8 with the 27-10 loss.
"This one is gone, and we can't bring it back," said Colts five-time Pro Bowler Reggie Wayne, who has one TD this season.
Thirteen players on Indianapolis' 53-man roster have experienced a losing season in the NFL, but one more defeat will leave them all with that fate.
"We're going to keep believing that next week is going to be the week," Wayne said of the Colts' first home game in four weeks, vs. the Atlanta Falcons. "We just got to keep going until the dam breaks."
Manning's neck injury naturally dominates the discussion about how the Colts have fallen so quickly after nine consecutive years of playoff appearances. And with no timetable for the 14-year veteran's return, it has led some to speculate on a new quarterback for the future — such as Andrew Luck.
But the Colts also had to deactivate three starters from their offensive line because of injuries, and 15 players were mentioned on the injury report.
Running back Joseph Addai also was among the ailing; he suited up but didn't get a carry because of a sore hamstring.
"Don't get me wrong, we'd love to have No.18 back," Addai said of Manning.
"But there are a lot more issues: injuries and mistakes that we're making on the field."
Those mistakes included penalties and poor execution that led to the Colts' first five possessions starting well inside their 20-yard line against a Titans team they had beaten five consecutive times.
Even so, there was no finger-pointing or passing the blame in the locker room.
"We're all in it together," safety Antoine Bethea said. "Out of the locker room, people can knock us and say whatever they want to say. … But us players, we're in it together. We win together, we lose together."
Dolphins flounder after leading early
Quarterback Matt Moore did a double fist pump after the Miami Dolphins' first touchdown. He spiked the ball after scoring the Dolphins' second touchdown on an easy 1-yard run.
After 60 minutes against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., the battered Moore — sacked five times — tried to explain what happened after the Dolphins' 20-17 loss dropped them to 0-7.
"I don't really have any answers or an explanation for you," Moore said.
Leading for much of the game — 7-0, 14-3, 17-10 — the Dolphins fell behind 20-17 with 5:58 remaining.
Miami's next two series illustrated its offensive troubles: minus 4 yards rushing, 31 yards passing, one first down, four sacks and one interception.
"It's been the same story all year. We have some good players in this room," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. "Why can't we put it together, I really don't know. This is tough."
The Dolphins are in disarray, and questions about coach Tony Sparano's future and the possibility of landing Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck in the 2012 draft didn't subside.
"I'm not worried about that," Sparano said of job security. "If my team plays like that, we're going to win games. I believe it. I believe in the group in there. … I'm going to go back to work (today) just like I always do."
CBS analyst and ex-Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher said Sunday that he had not been contacted by any team, including the Dolphins, and planned on working for CBS next year.
Not all of Miami's offensive problems fall on Moore. Starting quarterback Chad Henne is out for the season with a left shoulder injury. The offensive line is banged up as well.
Miami ranks in the bottom third of the league in several passing categories and is tied for 30th in touchdown passes (five).
With a potential franchise quarterback likely available in the draft, it's natural to ponder where Luck might play next season. It's just unnatural to think professionals are concerned about where he might play.
The Dolphins don't want to hear about Luck or the idea that a team would tank its season in order to pick the Stanford star.
"NFL players have too much pride," NBC analyst and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "They're not going to do that."
Said Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano, who last week blasted fans who suggested losing in order to draft Luck: "We have to continue to focus on people in this locker room. I'm focused on helping this team find solutions to win games."
The Dolphins next test comes at Kansas City.
Colts, Dolphins lead Andrew Luck Sweepstakes
By Julio Cortez,, AP
The Dolphins' Steve Slaton is tackled by the Giants' Michael Boley, left, and Deon Grant. Miami and Indianapolis remain the only winless NFL teams.
By Tom Weir and Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY
Published: 10/31/2011 0:03:43 AM
"To the victor go the spoils" is a cliché that doesn't always necessarily apply to the NFL, at least in regard to getting drafting rights to the next prized college quarterback.
This season, that distinction belongs to Andrew Luck, the Stanford quarterback who is almost universally regarded as a can't-miss performer at the next level. After defeats Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts (0-8) and Miami Dolphins (0-7) lead the Luck sweepstakes — getting the No.1 pick in the 2012 draft — as the only clubs still searching for their first win. The Colts fell behind early in a 27-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Dolphins lost in a more heartbreaking fashion, falling 20-17 to the New York Giants after leading for most of the game.
Talk of teams playing to win the Luck sweepstakes and not games has blossomed on social media sites. Earlier Sunday, ESPN analyst and former NFL player Cris Carter dismissed that notion: "Football players, it is not in our DNA when we go onto the field not to go at 100%."
USA TODAY recaps the Colts' and Dolphins' road losses:
Colts can't get going vs. Titans
As the Indianapolis Colts trudged off LP Field, Peyton Manning tried to oblige a fan in the state where he played his college ball by throwing his hat into the stands.
It took two tries, just one more thing that didn't go right for the injured quarterback's team Sunday.
Manning's replacement, Curtis Painter, was intercepted twice — once on a pass that was tipped from one Tennessee Titans defensive back to another and once on a throw that was batted from a defensive end to a linebacker.
The Titans also scored a touchdown on a blocked punt, and the Colts fell behind 20-0 in the first half while committing eight penalties and failing to cross midfield.
It was that kind of day in Nashville for the team that's giving up an NFL-worst 31.5 points a game. Indianapolis fell to 0-8 with the 27-10 loss.
"This one is gone, and we can't bring it back," said Colts five-time Pro Bowler Reggie Wayne, who has one TD this season.
Thirteen players on Indianapolis' 53-man roster have experienced a losing season in the NFL, but one more defeat will leave them all with that fate.
"We're going to keep believing that next week is going to be the week," Wayne said of the Colts' first home game in four weeks, vs. the Atlanta Falcons. "We just got to keep going until the dam breaks."
Manning's neck injury naturally dominates the discussion about how the Colts have fallen so quickly after nine consecutive years of playoff appearances. And with no timetable for the 14-year veteran's return, it has led some to speculate on a new quarterback for the future — such as Andrew Luck.
But the Colts also had to deactivate three starters from their offensive line because of injuries, and 15 players were mentioned on the injury report.
Running back Joseph Addai also was among the ailing; he suited up but didn't get a carry because of a sore hamstring.
"Don't get me wrong, we'd love to have No.18 back," Addai said of Manning.
"But there are a lot more issues: injuries and mistakes that we're making on the field."
Those mistakes included penalties and poor execution that led to the Colts' first five possessions starting well inside their 20-yard line against a Titans team they had beaten five consecutive times.
Even so, there was no finger-pointing or passing the blame in the locker room.
"We're all in it together," safety Antoine Bethea said. "Out of the locker room, people can knock us and say whatever they want to say. … But us players, we're in it together. We win together, we lose together."
Dolphins flounder after leading early
Quarterback Matt Moore did a double fist pump after the Miami Dolphins' first touchdown. He spiked the ball after scoring the Dolphins' second touchdown on an easy 1-yard run.
After 60 minutes against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., the battered Moore — sacked five times — tried to explain what happened after the Dolphins' 20-17 loss dropped them to 0-7.
"I don't really have any answers or an explanation for you," Moore said.
Leading for much of the game — 7-0, 14-3, 17-10 — the Dolphins fell behind 20-17 with 5:58 remaining.
Miami's next two series illustrated its offensive troubles: minus 4 yards rushing, 31 yards passing, one first down, four sacks and one interception.
"It's been the same story all year. We have some good players in this room," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. "Why can't we put it together, I really don't know. This is tough."
The Dolphins are in disarray, and questions about coach Tony Sparano's future and the possibility of landing Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck in the 2012 draft didn't subside.
"I'm not worried about that," Sparano said of job security. "If my team plays like that, we're going to win games. I believe it. I believe in the group in there. … I'm going to go back to work (today) just like I always do."
CBS analyst and ex-Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher said Sunday that he had not been contacted by any team, including the Dolphins, and planned on working for CBS next year.
Not all of Miami's offensive problems fall on Moore. Starting quarterback Chad Henne is out for the season with a left shoulder injury. The offensive line is banged up as well.
Miami ranks in the bottom third of the league in several passing categories and is tied for 30th in touchdown passes (five).
With a potential franchise quarterback likely available in the draft, it's natural to ponder where Luck might play next season. It's just unnatural to think professionals are concerned about where he might play.
The Dolphins don't want to hear about Luck or the idea that a team would tank its season in order to pick the Stanford star.
"NFL players have too much pride," NBC analyst and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "They're not going to do that."
Said Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano, who last week blasted fans who suggested losing in order to draft Luck: "We have to continue to focus on people in this locker room. I'm focused on helping this team find solutions to win games."
The Dolphins next test comes at Kansas City.
Massive chokejob by the Colts tonight. A loss vs Texans secures them the #1 pick, even with a win vs Jags next week
Tiebreakers
• Strength of schedule for the previous season is the first tie-breaker for teams with the same winning percentage. The team with the lowest strength of schedule percentage wins the tiebreaker and picks ahead of all other teams with the same record.
I would assume they are set up for #3 pick at best. St Louis and Minnesota arent winning another game.
Tiebreakers
• Strength of schedule for the previous season is the first tie-breaker for teams with the same winning percentage. The team with the lowest strength of schedule percentage wins the tiebreaker and picks ahead of all other teams with the same record.
I would assume they are set up for #3 pick at best. St Louis and Minnesota arent winning another game.
OK somehow the Colts win this tiebreaker, according to all the morning shows, even though they just beat the Texans, and the vikings beat the cardinals and panthers... ???
Guessing the colts will be a small fav @ jax because they are simply playing better right now, and they will probably win, and completely screw themselves over. Someone will be trading up if the Rams get that pick. Skins, Fins, who knows
I think that the Vikings beat the Bears next week anyway, the Bears are dead in the water. From what I've seen, the Colts have more talent than Jax as well. Wouldn't be a bit surprised to see the Rams get #1 again, which they'll likely have to trade, because it will be almost impossible for them to move Bradford with his contract.
Draft tiebreaker goes by overall season strength of schedule of which the Colts and their awful division had the tiebreaker
Could see Polian possibly dealing the pick for the right price but it seems unlikely unless it's the Raiders or just a stupid offer from someone else
But most likely Luck is a Colt
