Checkdown Chatter

Yes, the title is two years two old, and well past its humour expiration date… but give me a break, I haven’t written anything in 6 months and I’m easing my way back in with a well used line.

It took a little longer than usual this year, life has been busy, work sucks, the usual, but I’ve fully caught NFL fever just in time for fantasy draft season and the opener on Thursday night.

As always, the 2011 NFL season is bringing with it lots of intrigue, and there are lots of interesting storylines to keep up with. I’ve decided today to enlighten you with a list of those things I’m looking forward to most.

• Fantasy Football.
  This is an obvious for most true fans, but it seems to me like the fantasy football hype is higher than ever, and most leagues are trying interesting new things, PPR, IDP, I’m in my first keeper league (first season where we keep guys, that is) this year and there are some interesting rule tweaks in all my leagues to really get you thinking.
• The 2011 rookie class.
  There are lots of potential impact players at all positions, but I’m particularly interested in seeing how RBs Jahvid Best and Ryan Mathews fare, (sorry, Montario, your hype is on hold). Mathews has some big shoes to fill in San Diego, replacing inner circle Hall of Fame candidate LaDainian Tomlinson, but he’s been handed the starting job for a reason, and Norv has a way of producing successful running backs. Then there is Best, who, I admit I’ve only seen about 5 minutes of in preseason, but I loved every minute of it. This guy can run, and is part of a young nucleus of players in Detroit that has a real chance to make some noise. Make no mistake, I’m not calling for the Lions in the playoffs, but I’m predicting them to be in a lot more games than they are out this year.

How big of an impact Jahvid Best will have in Detroit is still unknown, but he's a definite upgrade over Kevin Smith.

• Division races.
  Of course, it’s every team’s goal to improve in the offseason, but it sure seems to me like a lot of the middle ground teams are making some big leaps heading into ‘11 while the top tier is sticking with status quo. I’m not ready to hand division titles to anyone at the outset of the season. Well… lets be honest, its hard to pick any of the lowly AFC West gang to upset the Chargers, but, all other titles are up for grabs. Of particular interest, the AFC East with both the Jets (assuming they can welcome back Revis, and even still if not) and Dolphins making big leaps. I love me some Patriots, but that is going to be a tough division to come out of this year. I’d be shocked if the Cardinals manage to hang on in the NFC West too, after losing Warner, and Boldin and many cogs on defense. And even in the NFC East, are the Redskins finally ready to make some noise? If so, and if the Giants defense makes some improvement, we’ve got a legitimate 4 team race.
• The Green Bay Packers.
  Lots to love here, a very exciting football team with skill at every spot. Lots of people picking them early for the SuperBowl, and I’d be inclined to agree – but we have to see some significant steps in QB protection, and overall defense if they are going to get there. Still, this team is ready and every game will be exciting. If nothing else, the Packers will be producing some very watchable football this season.

Packers: contenders or pretenders? Most would side with the former, but either way, there will be 16+ action packed football games featuring the Pack this year.

• My first live game.
  Things are different North of the border, ok? I finally caught my first CFL game this year, and even with its inferior players, inferior rules, and general crapiness by comparison I had an AWESOME time. With passport in hand and the border nearby, I have no excuse not to be in Buffalo on at least one Sunday. Its the Bills, I know, but its still live football.

I doubt I'll be cheering for the home team... but just to be at the game...

That’s not necessarily the top 5, just a random spewing of thoughts, but the point is… I’m excited, like all of you for 2011, and can’t wait to get the season underway!

Though some fans embrace the game, the Toronto-Buffalo link needs to iron out some wrinkles to be successful

The game was competitive, with the Jets coming out on top 19-13.

As I mentioned in an earlier article there wasn’t a whole lot of reason’s to be hyped up about this game. By December, as usual, the Bills were out of playoff contention – as were their opponents, the New York Giants. The game had little meaning, other than it was played North of the border.

Owens had picked up his game in recent weeks, but blanketed by cover corner Darrelle Revis there wasn’t much to see (3-31). Braylon Edwards scored a nice touchdown for the Jets, but it was preceded by a few drops/missed plays and one huge drop where the ball hit a wide open Edwards in the hands/face rather and fell incomplete.

I had the opportunity to buy decent seats for 75 bucks or so. I guess that’s cheap? considering that the over priced game featured obstructed view top level seats for $100, but it just doesn’t make sense. Why would Toronto fans pay to watch a transplanted game, where they can’t choose the teams and they are asked to overpay, when they can make the quick drive to Buffalo, for reasonably priced tickets, a real NFL atmosphere, and choice of opponent (Dec 20 upcoming against the Patriots would be nice).

There are problems with the game, no doubt, but at least Toronto came off looking pretty good in the NFL spotlight, and the game was competitive. Cheers to Rogers for trying to get involved, but it won’t work in its present context. Bring an October/November game where the Bills aren’t knocked out, against an opponent worth watching, and – get this for an idea – rather than having to give away endless numbers of seats to ’sell out’ why not just drop the prices and sell them?

Works for me…

Is Terrell Owens still the massive draw that they'd have you believe?

So, I know I should be thinking about making an impactful first post, something that will draw all kinds of wonderful attention to my blog and keep readers wanting more. Honestly. I haven’t put the thought in, I’m failing you already. I’m sorry.

When thinking of what I wanted to share with the world, I keep coming back to one thing that’s frustrating me endlessly. Every day on my commute to work I hear ads for the upcoming Bills in Toronto game.

There are two things around this game that are driving me nuts. The first: any legit NFL fan is already making the (less than) 2 hour trip to Buffalo to watch the Bills play at home, at a reasonable price. I get that the NFL wants to promote its product across borders and I’m happy that Toronto was chosen as a worthy site. But, I just don’t see the point of paying an uber-inflated ticket price to go to Rogers Centre and watch the Bills play when I can go to a game of my choosing in Buffalo.

In the end though, as I said, its kind of cool that the game is coming here – and I hope it makes a big impact in Canada, and understand the logic behind exposing the game to the fans that aren’t interested enough to make the trek to Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The big issue for me is with the promoters of the event. Again, to anyone with more than a passing interest of the game, the gimmick doesn’t work – nor does hyping Terrell Owens as the biggest and best thing in the NFL. I like T.O. and I don’t think his declined as much as analyst insinuation, and stats would indicate… his decline in production is clearly as much a part of the system and talent around him as anything else (though Charles Robinson at Yahoo would disagree)… but, I can’t help but laugh at the dramatic voice that announces T.O. is coming to T.O. like its something I should be excited about. Owens currently sits tied for 92nd in the NFL in receptions (15) with such marquee names as Mark Bradley and Cardinals 4th receiver Jerheme Urban. Owens has consistently been a producer, and deserves credit for it, I hope he produces in this game, but if we wouldn’t get excited over the 3 catch 24 yard performance a guy like Bradley would aim to produce matched up against the Jets and CB Darrelle Reevis I don’t see why I’m excited about his coming to Toronto.