Wormy Pix Pick of the Week (1)

[WormyPix]

Started season on losing note as SEA continued their dominance @ hm. GB got out-coached but the loss of RT Bulaga was where SEA began their separation in the gm. Rodgers was under consistent pressure from that side thanks to Sherrod (starting w/sack/fumble/safety), & good Lord #59 Brad Jones was an absolute killer to his team.


2013:POW 11-6, Teasers 12-6, Overall 39-38-1, GOY 0-1, PO's 4-6-1, SB 0-1


CLE (+7) is off a tumultuous offseason from the owner's business transgressions to Manziel's antics. Lost in all that media fodder is a steady "O" led by Kyle Shanahan's zone blocking scheme w/Tate's experience & Hoyer's NE pedigree. Returner Travis Benjamin is electric as well. Josh Gordon is lost for the season, so I see a lot of comments about how CLE won't be able to score. Indeed he was 2nd best WR in league last yr, & Hoyer did target him the most in his 1st start, but the ball was shared w/Cameron & the other WRs too. Hoyer will lean on Cameron, but Hawkins, Austin & Burleson will be good enough to get a few 1st downs & perhaps a TD. There's no doubt the run gm will need to succeed for CLE to pull off the upset. Enter PIT's revamped, but very young, "D". Still led by the geriatric LeBeau & Polamalu, PIT's "D" is still a few yrs away from resembling anything like their SB units. The OLB's & corners are the most glaring weaknesses, so CLE's run gm should have success if preseason is any indicator. I don't think CLE's "O" will need to score too much as their "D" will be special. Pettine led an aggressive, attacking "D" in BUF w/not much talent. Now he has a strong LB core & one of the best secondaries in the league. W/Lance Moore out & rookie Bryant doubtful @ WR for PIT, Haden & Gilbert should do enough to contain Brown, Archer & Wheaton, so that Kruger, Dansby, Sheard & preseason standout Mingo can get to Big Ben (which is an apt nickname for him since he's as mobile as the tower w/the same name). Amidst drug possession charges, Bell & Blount will lead the ground attack for PIT, but I see little success there w/above mentioned LB's as well as CLE's talented safeties (Whitner & Gipson). CLE was the 9th best "D" last yr & I believe they're better. PIT's sweep last yr was against Weeden & McGahee, then Campbell & "Edwin Baker." Yeah, exactlly. Pettine put up "Rivalry?" signs in CLE's locker room last wk highlighting their 0-Million record @ PIT (Tim Couch last QB to win there). If CLE limits the TO's, I believe they take this SU & end the yrs of suffering. Tomlin is 1-4 ATS last 5 season openers. And no, Manziel will NOT be a factor.


CLE 23
PIT 16
5 Units
1/2 Unit on ML (+240)


BOL to all, and as always comments are most welcome.

 

[WormyPix]

Honorable Mentions:


1 Unit CAR/TB u37 1/2: I struggled w/taking TB here but their oline worries me against a great front 7. Instead, I will let that work for me as I feel CAR will have a hard time scoring on Lovie & Leslie's "D" w/Newton being out of practice for 3 wks & ol' dependable Steve Smith gone.


1 Unit DEN -7: Peyton had strong emotions on his return to IND last yr which muddled things for him, I believe. More importantly, Robert Mathis took advantage of LT Clady & LG Orlando Franklin being out for all kinds of mayhem in the DEN backfield. This time around not only is DEN's left side fully healthy, but Mathis is missing gm w/suspension. Analysts are predicting a shootout, but I don't see it. IND will be outdoors, on the rd in primetime & will be a mile high. Not conducive to a young team, opening day, in the biggest gm of the weekend. DEN's "D" is much improved from their last meeting too as Ware will help put pressure on Luck, & Ward, Talib & Harris should contain Hilton, Wayne & Nicks. May put an extra Unit on this depending on CLE & where the line goes.


2 Unit Wormy Teaser:

ATL +16
MIA +16 1/2
TB +10 1/2
DEN +5 1/2

 

[Gravy]

Started season on losing note as SEA continued their dominance @ hm. GB got out-coached but the loss of RT Bulaga was where SEA began their separation in the gm. Rodgers was under consistent pressure from that side thanks to Sherrod (starting w/sack/fumble/safety), & good Lord #59 Brad Jones was an absolute killer to his team.


2013:POW 11-6, Teasers 12-6, Overall 39-38-1, GOY 0-1, PO's 4-6-1, SB 0-1


CLE (+7) is off a tumultuous offseason from the owner's business transgressions to Manziel's antics. Lost in all that media fodder is a steady "O" led by Kyle Shanahan's zone blocking scheme w/Tate's experience & Hoyer's NE pedigree. Returner Travis Benjamin is electric as well. Josh Gordon is lost for the season, so I see a lot of comments about how CLE won't be able to score. Indeed he was 2nd best WR in league last yr, & Hoyer did target him the most in his 1st start, but the ball was shared w/Cameron & the other WRs too. Hoyer will lean on Cameron, but Hawkins, Austin & Burleson will be good enough to get a few 1st downs & perhaps a TD. There's no doubt the run gm will need to succeed for CLE to pull off the upset. Enter PIT's revamped, but very young, "D". Still led by the geriatric LeBeau & Polamalu, PIT's "D" is still a few yrs away from resembling anything like their SB units. The OLB's & corners are the most glaring weaknesses, so CLE's run gm should have success if preseason is any indicator. I don't think CLE's "O" will need to score too much as their "D" will be special. Pettine led an aggressive, attacking "D" in BUF w/not much talent. Now he has a strong LB core & one of the best secondaries in the league. W/Lance Moore out & rookie Bryant doubtful @ WR for PIT, Haden & Gilbert should do enough to contain Brown, Archer & Wheaton, so that Kruger, Dansby, Sheard & preseason standout Mingo can get to Big Ben (which is an apt nickname for him since he's as mobile as the tower w/the same name). Amidst drug possession charges, Bell & Blount will lead the ground attack for PIT, but I see little success there w/above mentioned LB's as well as CLE's talented safeties (Whitner & Gipson). CLE was the 9th best "D" last yr & I believe they're better. PIT's sweep last yr was against Weeden & McGahee, then Campbell & "Edwin Baker." Yeah, exactlly. Pettine put up "Rivalry?" signs in CLE's locker room last wk highlighting their 0-Million record @ PIT (Tim Couch last QB to win there). If CLE limits the TO's, I believe they take this SU & end the yrs of suffering. Tomlin is 1-4 ATS last 5 season openers. And no, Manziel will NOT be a factor.


CLE 23
PIT 16
5 Units
1/2 Unit on ML (+240)


BOL to all, and as always comments are most welcome.

Wormy,I wish you luck here as I think you need it as I seen this team in the preseason and this team is a mess on Offense with no big threats at WR and TE Cameron will get knocked off the line of scrimmage and Ben Tate is bum and its only a matter of time before he gets hurt and Hoyer is really not recovered 100% from his knee injury last year and cant move in the pocket.The Browns defens will be ok and lets see if they can put Big Ben down as he is 16-1 playing against Cleveland and the Browns are 1-14 on Opening Day sice coming back in 1999.I think the Steelers will be down this year and will be some great chnces to go against them this year but like the Steelers on Sunday but only my opinion.

 

[WormyPix]

Oh Gravy, I thought you'd enjoy this pick! Well, I know you don't really care for the Browns, but have you seen PIT play in preseason? Their run "D" looks like DAL's. And even you have to admit CLE's "D" should be better this yr. I think Pettine is first DC as HC since Romeo? Plus, motivation has to be w/CLE here! I really believe the bully finally gets it!

I hope da Browns pleasantly surprise you tomorrow. I sure hope you're not a Manziel fan. He has the football skills of Tebow but w/out the positive traits. I strongly believe that was the worst draft pick since Tebow. CLE should've went w/an olineman or WR.

 

[Gravy]

Oh Gravy, I thought you'd enjoy this pick! Well, I know you don't really care for the Browns, but have you seen PIT play in preseason? Their run "D" looks like DAL's. And even you have to admit CLE's "D" should be better this yr. I think Pettine is first DC as HC since Romeo? Plus, motivation has to be w/CLE here! I really believe the bully finally gets it!

I hope da Browns pleasantly surprise you tomorrow. I sure hope you're not a Manziel fan. He has the football skills of Tebow but w/out the positive traits. I strongly believe that was the worst draft pick since Tebow. CLE should've went w/an olineman or WR.

LOL you know how much I like the Browns I see but Pettine I think will be ok in time but Browns Fans and Haslem better have patience as he cant keep firing coaches.The Browns did draft Bontonio from Neveda to help on the O line in the 2nd round but dropped the ball on grabbing a WR on day 2 of the draft when it was announced Gordon failed his drug test.I think Manziel will be ok in time but he has nothing to work with so plop his ass on the sidelines and let Hoyer get beat up.The defense will be ok and probably keep them in alot of games this season.The only thing that scares me on Sunday is that Pittsburgh has a short week and plays Baltimore at home on Thursday night and do they ignore this game and overlook the Browns.We shall see what happens but I will be stunned if the Browns win on Sunday.Im playing the Steelers myself but nothing huge like other games better.Good Luck on Sunday !

 

[WormyPix]

Gravy, great point on Thursday nighter! I forgot all about that. I'm sure PIT coaches aren't overlooking CLE, but PIT players esp this young team may be. I totally agree w/you on CLE mismanagement. Can you imagine if Chud & Norv had 1 more yr w/this "O"? Haslam lucked out w/Pettine & Kyle Shanahan, IMO. They took a month to finally decide on Pettine. Jury still out even on Justin Gilbert pick. Agree w/Bontonio pick, he's supposedly done very well so far.

Well, here's to you being stunned Sunday!! :toast:

 

[Jbarsk82001]

Gravy good point made on pitt overlooking cleveland, classic spot

 

[ca$hmoney]

I think you are on to something with that bucs panthers under. Rumors continue on Newtown sitting this one out...Go Fins!

 

[1FCKln]

Hoyer did target him the most in his 1st start, but the ball was shared w/Cameron & the other WRs too. Hoyer will lean on Cameron, but Hawkins, Austin & Burleson will be good enough to get a few 1st downs & perhaps a TD. There's no doubt the run gm will need to succeed for CLE to pull off the upset.

Burleson was cut on August 30th

 

[WormyPix]

Burleson was cut on August 30th

That was a test Koln, you passed. People do read my crazy writeups!

Alas, while researching the gm there was a video on NFL Network no less that had Burleson saying, "Why not us?" I didn't notice he was missing from recent depth charts.

So, UFA rookie Taylor Gabriel will see the field on 3-4 WR sets. FWIW Shanahan said Gabriel has been the most impressive rookie for them thus far, & he did lead the team in receiving for preseason albeit mostly against backup defenders.*

Thanks for the catch!

 

[WormyPix]

I think you are on to something with that bucs panthers under. Rumors continue on Newtown sitting this one out...Go Fins!

I saw that, Cash. 38 is starting to look like a boatload of pts now!

I think the Fins win 11 gms & claim top WC. Kool Aid, or not?

 

[jaxfactor]

Good luck today Worm! Have a great season!

 

[WormyPix]

Good luck today Worm! Have a great season!

Hey Factor! Great to hear from you! Thanks so much, & BOL to us both!!

 

[WormyPix]

Well, it looking more & more like Scam Newton will not play, which puts Derek Anderson in @ QB. I didn't even know he was still in the league.

 

[Gravy]

Congrats on your Cleveland win today Wormy as Im still baffled on how the Steelers blew a 27-3 lead and like I said Ben Tate is already hurt and a bum.BY the way I look my crow medium rare if possible LOL

 

[WormyPix]

Gravy! Lol, no crow eating here bud. You were right for 1st half, and I was right the 2nd half. I was so hoping for the SU win, but just look around the slate at all the upsets today. Even JAX had a chance for a little bit. I was thoroughly frustrated w/their initial performance.

I still believe the "O" & "D" are much improved from last yr, but may still struggle esp if Hoyer gets hurt.

 

[United]

Nice hit on Cleveland. It has been a tale of two halves today in a lot of these games.

 

[WormyPix]

Nice hit on Cleveland. It has been a tale of two halves today in a lot of these games.

Absolutely! And, I didn't check it all, but it was a good day for your unders? Let's keep it up!

 

[ca$hmoney]

I saw that, Cash. 38 is starting to look like a boatload of pts now!

I think the Fins win 11 gms & claim top WC. Kool Aid, or not?

Good call on the under. That 4th quarter was starting to look a little shaky for a minute...How bout the Fins baby? 11 wins may be tough but they are off to a good start. Now we go to the edge of the earth to play in Buffalo. If we can take this one and hopefully show some more firepower on offense I will be a happy man! !

 

[WormyPix]

Good call on the under. That 4th quarter was starting to look a little shaky for a minute...How bout the Fins baby? 11 wins may be tough but they are off to a good start. Now we go to the edge of the earth to play in Buffalo. If we can take this one and hopefully show some more firepower on offense I will be a happy man! !

Cash, it's great to have them @ BUF in Sept vice Dec! MIA's gms are so winnable to the bye! That said, we did start out 3-0 last yr. Need oline to stay healthy & Wallace to stop dropping balls! Did you see that pass go right thru his hands & off his face? I know he had a big gm, but good Lord man, catch the throw right in your mug!!

I actually had MIA winning 10 gms w/them splitting their div matchups. Maybe they can win @ CHI or sweep both da Bills & da Jets! That would be sweet.