NFL:Below Average, Average or Above Average (Thoughts on 3-3 teams)

Below Average, Average or Above Average (Thoughts on 3-3 teams)

Buffalo Bills – Average – Solid offense and under performing Defense, the one thing  I know is on those cold winter days in buffalo their two headed monster at running back (Fred Jackson and C.J Spiller) will cause teams a lot of the problems and maybe by then the defensive will start to gel and play better.  

 

Cincinnati Bengals – Above Average – A.J. Green is becoming a top 5 receiver, only thing missing is more consistent play of Andy Dalton and this team can easy catch and surpass the Baltimore Ravens   

                   

Denver Broncos – Below Average –The Broncos  seem to always fall behind by double digits and ever now and again comeback and win. Once teams learn to take away Peyton Manning’s short game and force him to throw it deep I see this team losing more games than they win.

Green Bay Packers – Above Average – Besides being cheated out of a game by the replacement refs this team is playing above average football. Aaron Rodgers also seems to thrive when people doubt him. The Pack this year will pull of a 4 game winning streak at some point this season

Miami Dolphins  - Average – They have so far avoided the curse of HBO’s Hard Knocks. Ryan Tannehill isn't that bad and the defense keeps the team in games which allows the Dolphins to sneak away with wins. Not a bad formula for a team with a rookie QB.

New England Patriots – Above Average – With such a prolific offense this team should have only one loss but for the advantages they have on offense they lack in the secondary. Tons of high draft picks in the secondary under performing cause this team to appear average when they really aren’t.

New York Jets – Below Average - The only team my team can score is through Special Teams and the defense either giving the offense a short field or scoring themselves. When a team has to use so many reverses and trick plays to move the ball on offense they are doomed.

Philadelphia Eagles - Above Average - All the pieces are there, the only thing missing is a QB that doesnt average three turnovers a game.

San Diego Chargers - Average - The lost on Monday night will be the tipping point for this team either they go down further in the drain or they become revitalized and win a very win-able division

St. Louis Rams  - Average - This team has a weapon on each level but not enough blue chip starters, they will be in every game until the end but anything better than an 8-8 record would be a surprise

Washington Redskins - Average - Decent weapons on offense with a average defense. RG3 will have his greatest test this weekend against the NY Giants pass rush. If the skins win this game they will be #1 in the NFC East.

NFL Week 6 Power Rankings

NFL Week 6 Power Rankings

Top 5

1. Atlanta – Business as usually a lot closer game than expected but the Raiders can sneak up on people. Offense had a horrible game particular M. Ryan (3 INTS) but was able to move the ball down the field on that last drive to get the winning field goal. 

2. Houston – First big test under the spot lights and the offense didn't show up. The defense also looked like they were missing a linebacker.  

3. Ravens – With all the ESPN coverage I thought Ray Lewis announced his retirement yesterday; this injury won’t effect them too much on the field but Ray will be missed in the locker room.  

4. San Francisco – Deja Vu, The NFL is a league of match ups and I think the Giants may have their number but still no losing hope on this team.

5. Bears – This defense has really stepped up the   

Bottom 5

31. Titans – The steady hand of thee vet Hasselbeck led this team to win, No need to usher in the future too early Locker can wait. Look what waiting did for Rodgers

28. Raiders – Costly last pick six to Asante Samuel cost the time late, this team should be a lot but they seemed cursed.  

 30. Chiefs – So let me get this straight Kansas City you boo’ed an injured Matt Cassel for Brady Quinn……..

32. Browns – Weeden isn't as bad as I thought he was but he doesn't have enough weapons and one of his weapons T.Rich is hurt again.

29. Jaguars –  BYE         

Fantasy Monster – Holy Aaron Rodgers – Six Touchdowns (Welcome back MVP)

Sanchez Watch – A much better game for my boy Mark, I am still worried we beat the team with the worst record in the NFL. The bright side is we are in a four way tie for the division lead going into New England next week, the bad news is we are going into NEW ENGLAND!!!

Thoughts? Disagreements? Opinions?

Follow me @DrivenDre

1 Timothy 1:15

"Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief:" (ASV)

This book and particularly this verses is written by Paul. If you don't remember Paul was formally named Saul until his conversion through his encounter with Christ. It is safe to assume that since Paul had the job of persecuting citizens that he was an influential and rich member of society.  Living this lifestyle I believe Paul lived a very sinful life whether it be through drugs, sex and money. After Paul was converted he had a lust and a fire for God which changed the course of history. The thing I love about Paul is he remained transparent throughout his teaching. Paul knew people knew the man he used to be and wouldn't listen to his message if he was acting "holier than thou".

As a Christians we must own up to all our past mistakes and become an example needed for younger followers and unbelievers. People who knew our past lives and know our past sins will think we are being hypocrites unless we are willing to be transparent with our past mistakes.

I believe in order to draw others closer to God we may have to open up our secret closets and give unbelievers, younger Christians a full tour (even showing them the skeletons in the dark corners of your secret closet)

Are you willing to show them you will to be transparent? what is hold you back?

Full Commit before you Judge

I always find it funny when people say something doesn't work when we see it clearly worked for others. I believe people do not fully commit to a task and are quick to provide negative feedback. There are numerous home workout programs ie. Insanity, P90X and numerous diet plans and strategies ie. Weight Watchers, Jennie Craig, Paleo, Low Carb, Atkins etc. We see before and after pictures and read inspiring testimonials and then we think we can follow the same plan and get the results. So we go out and buy into the program but don't really buy in.

We get on our P90X or Weight Watchers and we go hard the first couple of days and then we start missing workouts or we start tweaking the program and start saying things like.

"I only can do half of today's routine"

"5 days a week is too much, I can just do 4 and go really hard one day"

"I don' need to track my points today, this is similar to what I ate yesterday"

"I know what five ounce of chicken looks like no need for me to weight this"

"I was good this week, so I can over eat on my weekly allowance"

And the list goes on and on..........

These same people are the first to write a negative review on Amazon, the first to tell friends Weight Watchers, P90X and  Insanity doesn't work. We have to fully commit to a program before we can past judgement on it. Wouldn't you want someone to spend the time to get to know you before they give others opinions about you, so then we should do the same for everything,

So after two month of Insanity tell me if it works, after 90 days of P90X tell me it works, after 12 weeks of following WeightWatchers system and reading all the basic material then and only then CAN YOU TELL ME IT WORKS

NFL Week 5 Power Rankings

Week 5 Power Rankings


Top 5

1. Houston – J.J Watt has replaced D. Revis as the best Defensive Back in the League
2. Atlanta – Closer game then expect against the Redskins but it shows the true quality of a team that pulls out a win when they aren't playing their best.
3. Ravens - Struggled against the Chief but the defense kept the game low scoring which allowed the offensive to sneak a win out. 
4. San Francisco – Complete and utter destruction of the Bills, If Alex Smith  is out for a bit Colin Kaepernick is a more than serviceable backup.
5. New England  – Patriots seem to getting their groove back, this is mostly to the addition of Wes Welker being a bigger part of the offense. This team will only get better once Aaron Hernandez is back.  

Bottom 5

28. Raiders - BYE Week (Looks like this team not playing has moved them up in the ranks)
29. Jaguars - I thought I was watching the 85' Bears Defense against this horrific Jags Offense 
30. Chiefs - Played the Ravens tough and  had a great game from Jamal Charles but the offense seem to stall in the red zone and only scoring field goals will not win you games. 
31. Titans - Hasselbeck possibly starting may be a blessing in disguise, I rather the veteran with a proven track record than the future career backup QB (J. Locker). 
32. Browns - Had a first half lead over the giants but Eli Cruz and Bradshaw decided to wake up and go off

Fantasy Monster – Giants Offense- Eli, Cruz, or Bradshaw take your pick!!

Knuckle Head of the Week - Chief Fans you can't boo a man that is hurt on the field even if he hasn't been playing well for you. 

Sanchez Watch – For some reason he always throw interceptions in the red zone, is it play calling is it nerves I have no idea but one thing I do know is Tim Tebow needs more snaps. 

Thoughts?

Finish the Move

There are two kinds of people, those who finish what they start and so on
Robert Byrne

I pride myself that when I start something I finish it, it may not look pretty or it may not be fully effective but if I start something I finish. I remember a few years back a buddy of mine at the gym suggested we do a aerobic step class. Being a "Brotha" I had never had a problem at rhythm or keeping beat to a song. To my surprise I was huffing and puffing, tripping over the step and struggling to keep on pace with the teacher. I saw fellow new comers leave the class early but not me I refused to be defeated by the class and I refused to quit before the end of the session. 

I often see people quitting during work outs or even quitting during sets, I clearly understand that circumstances may come up (ie. injury or family emergency) but I refuse to believe that all these quitters have a legit excuses. I see people do a bench press and the bar moves 2 inches, I see people performing the squat and barely bending their knees. It frustrates me seeing people starting a task and not finishing it, whats the point of starting if your not going to finish. Even though you may realize mid task that you don't enjoy it you should still finish because you will learn something from that experience.

We should apply this mindset in all aspects of life.

If you payed for a movie why leave before the closing credits!

If you are attending a sporting event why leave before the final whistle (I left David Cone's perfect game in 1996) 

If you are in the gym performing a prescribed workout why leave until you have checked of the last item

We may not be being it perfect but we do it till the end and before you know it you will be head of the class! 

(Only in about 2 to 3 month my steppers was up front right next to the instructor and I was with her step for step)

NFL Week 4 Power Rankings

Week 4 - Power Rankings

Top 5

1. Houston – Just consistent, I see this team in the top three all season.
2. Atlanta – Too many weapons for one team to cover
3. Ravens - Close game against the Browns but Joe Flacco made all the clutch throws down the stretch.
4. San Francisco – Treated my Jets like a practice squad, they decided to test out some of their trick plays and most of them worked.
5. Green Bay – Beat an already beaten Saints but good win for the Pack, Rodgers seems to be getting back to MVP form.
5. Arizona – The defense is forreal and they seem to find a way to win the close games, not sure how long it will last but you can tell this team believes they are better than people think they are. Miami should have won this game.


Bottom 5

28. Jaguars - MJD struggled and Gabbert couldn't stretch the field, you can never win a game playing like that.
29. Chiefs - This team on paper is so much better, not sure Cassel is the answer here.
30. Raiders - If this team isn't playing in California they cant compete, I don't know how this team beat the Steelers last week
31. Titans - The one time Chris Johnson goes off its in garbage time and now Jake Locker is hurt again. Could we please bring back Eddie George and Steve McNair.
32. Browns - Geno Smith and Trent Richardson is starting to look like the backfield of the future.

Fantasy Monster – Dress Brees – Welcome back we have missed you!!!

Knuckle Head of the Week - Dez Bryant - so much talent but running wrong route and dropping balls. Will he ever get it together 

Sanchez Watch – Jets had 145 yards of total offense on Sunday. Brian Hartline (253), Roddy White (169) and Marques Colston (153) alone had more yard then an entire football team. I think it may be time for the a change.


Any agreement or disagreements?