Wazzup 2000 vs. Wazzup 2008

Who in the Hell is James Shikwati?

James Shikwati is a Kenyan Economist and the man behind The African Executive, a web site pledging to unleash Africa’s greatest capital.  Shikwati is also a neophyte policy hack who has figured out that the way to get Western support is to beg for intellectual guidance from the bankrupt West.  That’s not a genuis move considered the scope of the international bailout currently underway, but its all he’s got.  This new shill for the Heritage Foundation was featured in the New York Times in 2006.

Mr. Shikwati’s group, the Inter Region Economic Network, or IREN, is part of a global span of policy groups that Western conservatives have helped build over the past quarter-century. Operating in as many as 70 countries, with varying degrees of outside support, these institutes push a wide array of free-market prescriptions, including lower taxes, less regulation and freer trade.

They have strengthened property rights in Peru, aided the privatization of state-owned companies in Egypt, protested union power in France and led the way in halving the Lithuanian corporate income tax.

As the architect of Slovakia’s flat tax, the F. A. Hayek Foundation drew a visit from Steve Forbes, the former presidential aspirant. He labeled the country an “investor’s paradise” in “no small part because of the foundation’s work.”

The movement even has a venture capital arm, the Atlas Economic Research Foundation in Arlington, Va.: over the last decade, it has given groups like Mr. Shikwati’s more than $17 million.

Shikwati is such a hack that his entire “intellectual face” (his website) is a compilation of pieces stolen from other writers.  This is James Shikwati:

Shikwati is correct in noting that aid to Africa is structurally designed to increase debt.  That shit ain’t rocket science.  Africans have been saying that since Day One.  Why suckle at the breast of the Heritage Foundation and perpetrate as if you’re a man of new thinking when the IMF and World Bank are on the same page of your sponsors?  Maybe you’re just trying to get some coin — and live large…but you don’t have the acumen to write your own material or the skill to snatch an entire nation like Daniel Arap Moi.

Shikwati is just one more of Africa’s sons who have looked to the West for no good reason at all.  Pathetic — and dangerous.  He is precisely the type of man to sell the pipe dream of pseudo independence only to walk away with a huge personal pay day.

James Shikwati is a morally and intellectually dishonest person in serious need of a final correction.  Let’s see if he has “a meteoric rise” in Kenyan politics and is billed as a Son of Freedom in about 5 to 7 years.  If I run into him, I’m taking what’s owed right off his chin.

The African Executive: Kiss My African Ass

The latest swindle out of Africa (Kenya, this time) is a half-assed online journal masquerading as an authentic voice of Africa.

Here is the bullshit they’ve spouted about who they are and what they do:

The African Executive is the market leader in opinion and analysis on Africa’s socio-political and economic development. It features analytical issue-based coverage on Finance and Banking, Investment opportunities in Africa, Technology, Agriculture, Governance, Travel and Entertainment among others. The majority of The African Executive readers are exposed with high affinity to travel and have interest in Africa’s regional, continental and international affairs.The African Executive offers a wide range of opinion and analysis on issues that affect Africa.

Donovan McNabb’s Round Table Talk with the Legends

In four weeks, the greatest quarterbacking legends in the history of the NFL will come together for the first time under one roof to talk about their memories of the game, their challenges in today’s game, and their hopes for the future.  This historic meeting will be convening on the scenic Riviera Maya and will allow these stars four days and three nights to share, reflect and preserve what they’ve built.

The architect of this meeting?  Donovan J. McNabb, quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles.  McNabb was the second selection in the 1999 NFL Draft.  He was lustily booed by the hometown faithful that day, and the relationship since then has been fraught with tension.  The Eagles and their leader are coming off an upset loss in the desert to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game.  The Cardinals won 32-25.  McNabb, for his part, was 28-47 for 375 yards and 3 touchdowns.  The Eagles trailed early and only ran the ball 18 times all day.    Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald combined on 9 catches for 152 yards and 3 scores.  Since that loss, the Eagles 4th in 5 conference championship games, the burning question in Philadelphia and across the nation is, “Hey Donovan, how come you suck in big games?”  Troy Aikman asked the question, in a manner of speaking.  He wasn’t alone.  Ron Jaworski, Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms wanted answers.

Between the time on the beach and the time at the bar, the QB’s will watch old film, discuss strategy and their greatest achievements and failures.  I will have the distinct privilege of moderating the discussion.  What follows is a little of how I think it will go.

Simms: “Donovan!  This was a great idea.  Thank you for bringing us all together.  I never would have thought to do something like this.”

McNabb: “Well, I thought it just made sense to get all the guys together and talk about what our keys to success have been.   Besides, this place is gorgeous.”

Simms: “That’s just very ‘Obama’ of you, Donovan.  Thanks.”

Jaworski: “Where’s the film room?  I’m anxious to get a look at some game film…especially of that Cardinal game.  I just knew we were gonna win it.”

McNabb:  ”I’ll take you down there now.  A bunch of the guys are coming down together.  They haven’t seen each other since last year at Canton.  It should be great.”

Jaworski: “Yeah, I remember.  I was there.”

McNabb to self: “Not with those numbers you weren’t.  And you had Harold Carmichael for ever… Gimme a break.”

Simms:  ”I’ll see you all at the pool.  I think Chris is on his way down as well.”

McNabb to self: “Who the hell invited Chris Simms to this damned event?”

McNabb:  ”Phil!  No kids allowed at the adult events.”  (Smiles, exits with Jaws.)

McNabb:  ”Have a seat.  I’ll get you started.  Is there a particular game you’d like to see?”

Jaworski: “You know it.”

McNabb:  ”Let me guess.  Anything coached by Dick Vermeil.  Philadelphia,  St. Louis or Kansas City?”

Jaworski: “Let’s start in Philly.”

McNabb:  ”Super Bowl XV?” (Raiders 27, Eagles 10.  Jaworski’s Line. 18-38, 291 yards.  1 TD, 3 INTs…to the SAME GUY!!!)

Jaworski:  ”Uh, actually, I’d rather see some other games that really highlight just how great Coach Vermeil was as a planner and strategist.  You know.”

McNabb:  ”It’s all set…pick what you like.  I think the fellas should be rolling in about now.  If you see Phil, tell him, ‘No kids.’”

A bus arrives from the Cancun Airport with the rest of the group:  Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Elway, Brett Favre, Warren Moon, Tom Brady, Boomer Esiason, Dan Fouts, Dan Marino, Randall Cunningham, Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett, Troy Aikman, Fran Tarkenton, Bart Starr, Jim Kelly, Jim Plunkett, Terry Bradshaw, Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner.  Warner has just completed his third Super Bowl game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.

McNabb:  ”Welcome, gentlemen.  I’m glad that you all could make it.  I know that each of you are always in high demand, so I am looking forward to this.  Phil and Jaws are already here.  Jaws is –

Steve Young and Peyton Manning in unison: “Downstairs watching film!!”

Jim Plunkett:  ”If he would have watched that film when he played, he wouldn’t have thrown the ball to Rod Martin three times!  Tell him its too late.  The rings are already made.”

McNabb: “That’s cold, Jim.”

Plunkett: “That’s the way it is with this group.  It’s always cold.  Either you have ‘em or you don’t.  Where’s Theismann!?!  That’s my other bitch!”

Manning: “Thank GOD for Rex Grossman!  I would be getting it like I know Boomer’s gonna get it.”

Bradshaw, Brady and Montana: “You might still get it!”

Bradshaw: “Where’s Eli?”

Manning: “Donovan said, ‘No kids!’”

Brady: “I’m glad you didn’t bring that little bastard. I can’t stand his ass!!”

Peyton edges closer to Brady, not laughing.  ”Please Tom.  The Giants just kicked your ass.  They said you were scared and just played like a little bitch.  I was gonna invite Vinatieri.  He was your real QB.” (Brady’s line in Super Bowl 29-48, 266 yards, 1 TD, 0 picks, sacked 5 times.  229 net yards.  16 rushes by Patriots.)

McNabb: “I think you two should settle down.  Just take a breath, relax.”

Brady: “Oh, like you and Terrell?!?”

Montana: ‘Damn, Tom.  I used to talk alot of smack – especially to Steve, but just chill out.  It’s a long weekend.  Save some for the other ringless wonders.”

Bart Starr: “I see humility is as fleeting as ever.”

Staubach and Bradshaw, as they often do, wind up standing next to one another as the group moves toward the film room.  McNabb leans in with a question.

McNabb:  ”Okay, I know both of you played behind tremendous offensive lines…so do I.  You also played with great defenses.  So do I.  I’m wondering though, what’s the most passes you ever threw and won a playoff game?”

Bradshaw: “Damn.  That’s a good question.  I’d have to think about that.  I know it wasn’t that many because when we won, we were usually able to run.  If we couldn’t run, Joe and Mel and them kept us out of shootouts.  Hell, anyone can win a shootout.  Ask Dan!”

McNabb:  ”Marino?”

Bradshaw:  ”No, Fouts.  Remember that game they played against Miami that went into overtime and Winslow blocked the kick?  Dan was slingin’ the ball all over the field that day.  He must have thrown 50 or 60 passes.  I bet they didn’t even have time to run the ball that day.”

Fouts:  ”That game was on the highlights of my career.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  We ran all over the Dolphins, but couldn’t put them away.  Chuck Muncie had over 100 yards and we ran about 30 times.  I threw it about 50, but if we didn’t run it, I would have been dead.”  (Fouts’ line: 33-53, 433, 3 touchdowns, 1 INT.  SD 29 carries, 149 yards. SD 41, MIA 38.)

Marino: “I had a bunch of games like that.  Dan, you and I probably had the quickest releases of every one here.  Neither of us could run farther than the door.  I don’t remember winning but one of those games.  I don’t remember how much we ran, though.  Seems like I was always throwing to ‘the Marks Brothers‘.”

Simms:  ”I’d put Kurt in that ‘Quickest Release’ group, too.”

Manning: “Ditto, that.”

Marino: “I remember a wildcard game against Buffalo.  I threw 64 passes and we got smoked.  Yeah…I did win once.  It was at Cleveland and Marty was coaching.  So, we knew we had a chance.  The Browns couldn’t throw and our defense was still decent enough.” (Marino’s record in playoff games throwing 47+ passes? 0-4.  In games throwing 37+ passes? 1-8.  In games throwing 34 passes or less? 7-2.)

Montana: “You call that ‘decent.’  We walked all over you guys.  Roger Craig still shows that damned highlight video every time I’m over his house.  Nothing but high-stepping over little men in aqua blue tights.”

McNabb: “Dan.”

Marino and Fouts: “Yes?”

McNabb gestures to Fouts: “What was it like playing with Wes Chandler, Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow?”

Fouts: “It was amazing, but don’t forget we had Chuck Muncie and Lionel James.”

Marino: “Boomer!  You had it pretty good with Collinsworth, James Brooks, and Eddie Brown.  You even had that Ickie Woods character.  How did you lose that damned game?  You had them right where you wanted them.”

Esiason:  ”I know.  We were pretty damned good for a minute.  We couldn’t hold on.”

Montana: “I beat all of your asses like a drum.  If you all don’t shut up I’m getting my jewelry.  Terry! I’m not talking about you, so take it easy.”

Bradshaw: “I’m just sitting here quietly.  I’m enjoying the decor — and wondering what defensive linemen would say about this conversation.  Those guys are haters.  You see how Howie is always going against everything I have to say.  Strahan is becoming the same way.  I need to be on a show with more quarterbacks.  Then again, the only guys with rings on your show (to Marino and Esiason) are Shannon and Bill (Cowher).  I guess I’ll stay where I am.  Besides, I sit right next to the new J.B.  We are a good lookin’ group…except for Howie!”

Fouts: “Well, like I was saying, I know I didn’t win a Super Bowl, but I’ll be damned if I couldn’t throw the ball with any of you.  Besides, say what you want Joe, but we would’ve kicked your butt in ‘81.  If it wasn’t 52 degrees below zero in Cincinnati, we would have rolled the Bengals and you would have been next.  Don’t forget it!”

Montana: “Talk is cheap, chubby.”

Elway: “You couldn’t throw it with me.”

Cunningham: “Me either.  Besides, Warren threw a prettier ball than you.  Come to think of it, Jeff Blake threw a prettier ball than you too.”

Esiason: “That’s debateable.”

Cunningham: “Did he just say something?”

The group empties out of the corridor and is fully assembled in the film room.

Fouts: “I’m not talking about arm strength — but even if I was…the point would be the same.  I’m just thinking about this question.”

Favre: “What question?”

Fouts: “Have you won playoff games when it was all on you?  When you had to throw the ball a ton of times and your team either couldn’t run or didn’t run.  I mean, isn’t that what made us all legends of the game.  We were each that guy who made all the throws when the chips were down in the big game and delivered…right?”

Jim Kelly:  ”Damn right, Dan.  I know I lived for those moments in big games when it was all on the line.  We ran that K-Gun spread offense and most teams couldn’t stop Thurman or even slow us down, but when they did, I wanted to make the throws.  I wanted the ball in my hands.”

Aikman: “You’re mostly right Jim.  We throttled you guys in the Super Bowl, and so did Washington and the Giants (at least on defense).  He even forgot his helmet in the Super Bowl!  Crazy!!  How did you do career-wise when it was all on you?”

Kelly: “I think I did pretty well.  That’s why we’re here, right!?!” (Kelly’s record in games throwing 45+ passes? 0-3.)

Esiason: “Definitely.” (Esiason never threw more than 25 passes or for more than 150 yards in a playoff game.  Super Bowl line? 11-25, 144 yards, zero Tds, 1 pick.)

McNabb: “Food is on the way.  I’ve selected some healthy options.  What could be more important than having a healthy, good time.”

Stabler: “Liquor.” (Stabler never threw 45 passes in a playoff game.  In games with 35+ passes, Stabler was 1-4.  In the lone victory, the Raiders ran 47 times and won by 6.)

Kurt Warner: “Donovan’s right.  And, I’ll be right back.”

Favre: “I’m starved…and the Jet lag is the worst!” (Favre was 0-1 in games in which he threw 45+ passes.  He is also 0-5 in games in which he threw 39+ passes.)

Aikman: “Jaws,  you’re awful quiet over there.  Dial up that video of Super Bowl XII.  I thought that was Roger’s finest moment.  I’ve love to take a look at that.” (Aikman’s record? 0-3.  No games with a 60% completion rate.  3 tds, 7 picks. Aikman’s record in games with 37 or fewer passes?  11-2.)

Jaworski: “I know.  I’m trying to remember my gunslinger days.  I think I might have pulled one out back in the day against the Giants.” (Jaworski never threw 45+ in a playoff win.  Close? Jaworski’s stat line: 17-38, 190 yards and 2 INTs combined with 42 Eagle rushes to pummel Minnesota.  His other games with 30+ passes? 0-3.)

Cunningham: “That was Minnesota.  I always liked them as a kid.  Sir Francis was my guy.  I loved that squad.  Chuck Foreman, Sammy White, Ahmad Rashad!  My question is, “How did Matt Blair block so many kicks?” (Cunningham’s record in games with 45+ passes? 0-4; Tarkenton’s 0-2)

(QUOTE OF NOTE at :49)

Tarkenton: “Thanks, Randall.  That means a lot to me.  By the way, you know I was pulling for you guys back in ‘98.  What a team!  Moss, Carter, Reed, Robert Smith, whew!  Do you think the Vikings are cursed?”

Cunningham: “Any teeam that fires Dennis Green to hire Mike Tice s is worse than cursed.”

Warner (in the distance): “Amen to that, brother.  I love Dennis almost as much as I love Larry Fitzgerald.”

Jaworski: “It’s really all about mobility in the pocket.  All this ‘mobile quarterback’ business is overrated.  Look at Vince Young and Michael Vick.”

Cunningham: “Look at Joe and John and Steve.  Enough hardware to fill a vault.”  (Steve Young averaged more than 6 yards per carry in the playoffs!  Montana and Elway were just a hair below 5 yards per carry.)

Young: “Hello!  We mobile guys have to stick together.  John (pointing to Elway), are you still with us?” (Young’s record: 0-2; Elway 0-1)

Elway: “I’m with you.  I remember when Joe was with us too.  What happened Joe?”

Montana: “Nothing happened, John.  I’m the same fast, mobile guy I’ve always been.  I’m still with you.  ’Sprint right option‘ made me rich and famous.” (Montana’s record: 0-2; failed to complete 60% of his passes in both games.  Montana was 16-5 with four Super Bowl wins in other post-season games.)

Simms: “I thought you were going to say that Jim Burt happened.”

Montana: “I don’t remember a thing.”

McNabb: “Enough on mobile vs. sitting ducks.  That’s why Drew Bledsoe’s not here.  Alright, maybe one reason why Drew isn’t here.  Terry, getting back to the question, what about you?”

Bradshaw: “No way.  I remember all my big games…concussions, too.   I don’t even have to think about it.” (Bradshaw was 0-3 in games with 35+ passes.  He never threw as many as 45.  He was 14-2 with four Super Bowl wins when throwing under 32 passes.)

Favre to no one in particular: “I’m really thinking about retiring this year.”

Moon: “Dan, this question is humbling.  It looks like we have these reputations for doing the one thing we’ve never done.  Does that sound crazy to you?  My teams in Houston were built to pass the ball.  We really only got around to running it with Lorenzo White.  I wish the other Dan (Pastorini) could have been here.  He’d have some real stories to tell about Earl Campbell.” (Warren Moon: 0-5 in games with 40+ pass attempts.)

Plunkett:  ”This is amazing.  First off, I know I never threw that many balls.  We had too many good runners and besides, my knees were shot after I left San Francisco.  Tom Flores believed in running the ball to balance the offense and keep the defense honest.  We won two Super Bowls with our strategy.  Not many people can say that.”

Aikman: “I can.”

Brady: “I can.”

Bradshaw: “I can.”

Montana: “I can.”

Elway: “I can.”

Plunkett: “Alright, you know what I mean.  Damn.  Why are you guys so literal?”

Starr: “Who’s left?  What about ‘Roger the Dodger’?” (Staubach never attempted 45+ passes and was 0-2 in games with 30+ attempts.)

Staubach:  ”You, Bart?” (Starr never came close to 45+ attempts.)

Starr: “No way, Roger.  Can you imagine Lombardi putting the ball up in the air like that?  Never!  You know, Donovan, I’m a little sad that Len Dawson isn’t here.  He did win a Super Bowl.”

Tarkenton: “Don’t remind me!”

McNabb: “He was invited, but wasn’t able to make it.  It had to do with some celebration in his hometown in Ohio.  He sent his regards.  That reminds, how come all of you are from Western Pennsylvania?” (In Dawson’s highest pass attempt contest (36), he threw picks and lost handily.)

Favre to no one in particular: “I mean, really, how long can you play this game before you run into your own personal Lavar Arrington or Aeneas Williams?” (Big hits from Arrington and Williams ended the careers of Troy Aikman and Steve Young, respectively.)

Montana: “Peyton, what about you and Tom?”

Brady: “I’m not retiring.”

Manning: “He didn’t mean retirement.  That’s just Brett being Brett.  You know I track my stats and splits religiously, so here is the deal: I did it once.  I beat the Patriots 38-34.  You guys remember.  They were up 21-3 and then Tom and those guys choked.  It was great.  Anyway, I was ripping the ball all over the place, but I was only 27-47 for 349.  I even threw a pick.  The reason we were able to come back was because we ran the ball 30 times.  Dominic and Joseph split the load right down the middle.  That was the difference…and, that we had Vinatieri. (Manning’s record with 45+ passes:1-2.  Record inother games with 40+ passes? 1-5; without run support 0-5.)

Starr: “I never would have expected that.  The Patriots fading completely is what allowed you to escape in that scenario.  They only scored 10 more points the rest of the way.  That reminds me of the game when Jim beat Warren in the playoffs.  Man, that was historic!”

Moon: “Jim didn’t beat Warren.  Jim never beat Warren.  That was Frank Reich, and our team lost that game.  Lorenzo White only had 19 carries.  That wasn’t enough to salt it away.  Damn!!”

Kelly: “I beat you, too.  I just didn’t beat you like that.  I’m not suprised you forgot.”

Cunningham: “At least you don’t have to live with wanting to strangle Gary Anderson every day.”

Kelly: “We all have our Norwood’s to bear.”

Manning and Brady: “And our Vinatieri’s.”

McNabb: “Where’s Kurt?”

Bradshaw: “In the bathroom.  Talking to Brenda.”

Simms: “I really want to talk about what happened in all these games.  I mean, none of us had any idea we’d actually lost all of these dad-gum games.  I bet our coaches knew.”

Jaworski: “It sounds like everyone who won also ran the ball in their game.  Isn’t that right?”

Plunkett: “Check.”

Marino: “Not exactly, but I told you…we were going up against Marty.  You know how he is.” (Marty Schottenheimer ranks #6 all-time in coaching wins, but is 5-13 in the post-season.  He was most recently fired after leading the San Diego Chargers to a 14-2 season, and a shocking open game loss to the New England Patriots in 2006.)

Elway: “Yep.  Marty was so predictable.”

Montana: “Yep.  He was great.”

Brady: “Yep. I always knew what to look for.”

Manning: “Check.  We ran it too.”

Favre to no one in particular: “Marty was always in the AFC.  I never got a chance.  Hell, I haven’t been close to a Super Bowl since ‘97.  I haven’t won more than 1 playoff game since 1998.  You know, I’m thinking about retiring.”

Staubach: “Who was my Marty?  I’m torn between Chuck Knox and Bud Grant.”

Aikman: “My Marty was Mike Holmgren.  Sorry Brett.”

Favre: “What?”

Aikman: “Sure.  You remember when we beat you 3 years in a row.  Anyway, it just occurred to me how you could get a win in Dallas.  It’s perfect.  T.O. always said the Eagles could’ve been undefeated with you.  Sorry Donovan.  Anyway, with all the weapons they have in Dallas, you could go there.  Surely you could win one game at home.  Romo, as we all know, is probably in Cabo right now and you can beat him out in pre-season.  He’s just an imitation of you.  He’ll wilt under the competitive pressure just like he has in December for the past few years.  I think its perfect.” (Favre is 0-7 vs. the Cowboys in Dallas, 0-3 in the post-season.)

Favre: “I don’t know, Troy.”

McNabb: “It’s worth a shot.”

Plunkett: “Is that why Bernie Kosar’s not here?  What the hell is Boomer doing here, again?  Are you working?”

Esiason: “I’ve had about all I’m going to take.”

Montana: “I’ve got more to give.  When are you leaving?”

Brady: “I’d rather talk about me.  We definitely ran it – but we won.  Charlie was a little crazy with the passing game back then.  Remember that time we went to Pittsburgh in like Week 2 or 3 and ran them ragged.  That was like a big joke to Charlie, but it the playoffs, it was totally different.   Remember the Tuck Bowl vs. Oakland?  We ran 30 times mostly with Antowain Smith.  Even in the Super Bowl vs. Carolina we ran 35 times.  There was even a division rounder against Jeff Fisher’s bunch a few years back.  Antowain put in the work to keep the defense honest.  That was the only way for us to pull it off.  The only time we didn’t run was in the 2007 game against the Giants and Little Eli.  Damn it.  16 rushes and those guys were coming like their hair was on fire.  I hadn’t been hit like that all year.  I was able to make some throws, but we only scored 14 points.  It was the worst feeling I’ve had in football.”

Manning: “Okay, thanks for the soliloquy.  I just want you to know that I know.”

Brady: “Know what?”

Manning: “You know.  Just know that I know too.  You’re the luckiest dude on two legs this side of that old guy Dick Cheney shot in the face.” (Tom Brady is 4-0 is his four lowest rated games as a passer.  In those games, he’s thrown 5 tds and 7ints.  In 3 of the 4 games, the opponent was held to 14 points or less.)

Young: “Stop it.  You two are worse than Joe and I were and I can’t stand him to this day!!”

Montana:  ”Don’t hate me just because you owe your ring to Deion Sanders.  When you beat a team with Stan Humphries as the QB, you aren’t really a true Ring Bearer.  I still see a little monkey on your back.”   (Sanders played one of his best seasons with the ‘94 49ers snatching 6 interceptions, returning 3 for touchdowns, and discouraging QBs like Troy Aikman from throwing in his direction.)

Aikman: “Joe, that’s not right!”

Montana: “Playing defense now Troy?  How’d you do against Deion in that NFC Championship game?” (Aikman threw 53 passes for 380 yards.  30 to the Cowboys (12 to Michael Irvin), 3 to the 49ers.  Young ran 10 times for 47 yards and a touchdown.)

Aikman: “I’m just saying th–”

Montana: “I’m just saying be quiet.  How’d you do the very next year with Deion on your team?  I seem to remember you winning a Super Bowl while Neil O’Donnell threw 2 picks to Larry Freakin’ Brown all because he didn’t want to throw toward Deion.  How many yards Emmitt have in that one?”

Aikman: “49.”

Montana: “Yeah, thought so.  What’s with you and Steve anyway?  Is there something I should know?”

Bradshaw: “Kurt, come out of that bathroom!!”

Marino: “What’s the deal, Kurt.  How did you do in those games?”

Warner: “Only had 1.  We won.”

Jaworski: “Did you run it 25 or 30 times?”

Warner: “Hardly at all!  It was the Super Bowl win vs. the Titans.  We were playing on turf and I had Marshall, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.  There was only so much they could do.”

Moon: “But you only won by a yard.”

Warner: “That’s right.”

Jaworski: “Kurt — are you telling me that you are the ONLY person in this room who has won a game by throwing 45 balls and going after a team without running the ball?  And, that you guys won because Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson at the goal line?  You’ve got to be kidding!!”

Simms: “This story better not ever get out.  Thank goodness we’re in Mexico.”

Marino: “What about me?”

The Group: “Marty!”

Aikman: ” Donovan, what’s your record in these games?”

McNabb: “0-4.”

Simms: “Well, that actually sounds normal in this room?  What about when you throw under 40 or 45 times?”

McNabb: “9-2.”

Manning: “Shoot.  Really?  Not bad.”

Favre: “I remember the last time we played head-to-head in the playoffs.  You went off.  It was like a Superman show or something.  Didn’t you run for over 100 yards?!?”  (McNabb was 21-39 for 248, 2 tds and no picks.  11 carries for 107 yards in a 20-17 win over the Packers.)

McNabb: “Great game, bad year.  You remember what happened the next week?  Ricky Manning ate my lunch – and I was starving!  They tossed our receivers all over the field.”

Manning: “How could I forget.  The exact same thing happened to me against New England.  Marvin was getting the ‘Rag Doll’ treatment from Ty Law.  That’s why we got that damn rule changed.  No one wanted to see Tom in the Super Bowl again.  They wanted to see you and I.”  (Manning was 23-47 with 4 ints.  Marvin Harrison caught 3 balls for 19 yards.  McNabb was 10-22 for 100 yards with 3 interceptions.  Freddie Mitchell caught 4 balls for 38 yards.)

Brady: “You’re just a jealous bastard, Peyton.”

Manning: “You better tell it to Bridget.  She’s got your bastard.  I own you.”

Young: “Stop it, you two.  Enough.”

McNabb: “Peyton…that’s too far.”

Manning: “He started.”

Brady: “And finished.  Check the hardware.  Too bad your scramblin’ daddy never won a ring.  Maybe your family would have as many as me.”

Montana: “Alright.  Are you two done?”

Fouts:  ”Honestly, that’s enough.”

Staubach: “Terry – did we ever hate each other this much during our rivalry?”

Bradshaw: “Of course we did, but I whooped your ass on a regular basis so I didn’t have to show it.”

Terry’s joke breaks the ice and everyone settles down.

Aikman: “Donovan, 9-2…Not bad.  Not bad at all.  I was 11-3.”

Elway: “Welcome to the club.”

The Right Answer to the $64M Question…

“And back in 1998, when the Colts held the No. 1 overall choice and faced the most significant decision in franchise history, the team’s brain trust ignored the opinion of NFL experts who were split on how the pick should be used.

The Colts decided whom to pick No. 1 after asking the two players how each would celebrate if he were the selection. Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf said he would get together with his friends for a boys-gone-wild weekend in Las Vegas; Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning said he would ask for the Colts playbook so he could jump into all the work ahead of him. They took Manning.”

The Man Behind the Giants Running Game

Why are the New York Giants so good at pounding the rock?

The New York Giants have had tremendous success running the ball over the past few years.  Historic seasons by Tiki Barber; Brandon Jacobs crushing defenders; Madison Hedgecock clearing holes; Derrick Ward eluding and erasing tacklers; and, a bruising Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots that included the diminuitive Ahmad Bradshaw dragging defensive tackles like sacks of laundry.  That power running game continued in 2008.  How about 207 yards rushing vs. the Baltimore Ravens defense?

The team will not be playing in the Super Bowl in two weeks, but they did accomplish many things they set out to do this year.  There is a face behind this success and I hadn’t seen it until I did some hunting around online.

There are plenty of friendly jabs and genuine conversations at the dinner table on almost every Friday night during the season. That’s when Ingram and the running backs go out to dinner to discuss more than just football.

“You know how the folks talk about the running-back controversy — like a quarterback controversy? That’s what it keeps out,” Jacobs said of the weekly get-together. “It keeps all that confusion down. We’re closer on the field than we are off and (the dinner) takes out all of that stuff.”

But it was at a recent dinner with a non-teammate during which Jacobs understood the impact Ingram can have. Sitting across the table was Barber, who has been openly critical of Coughlin since retiring after the 2006 season.

“He was saying how great of a coach Jerald was,” Jacobs recalled.

“He said, ‘Listen to Jerald. He won’t steer you wrong.’”

From the Giants website:

Jerald Ingram is in his fifth season as the Giants’ running backs coach and he has mentored a 1,000-yard rusher in every one of them. Ingram, who joined the Giants on Jan. 13, 2004, has 24 years of coaching experience, including 15 as an assistant to Tom Coughlin.

The running backs overcame the loss of three-time Pro Bowler Tiki Barber and several injuries to average 134.3 rushing yards a game, the fourth-highest total in the NFL. In addition, fullback Madison Hedgecock didn’t join the team until Sept. 12, but became a vital member of the backfield as a blocker and receiver.

Third-year pro Brandon Jacobs, elevated to the starting position, led the team with 1,009 rushing yards, despite missing five games and most of a sixth with knee and hamstring injuries. It was the sixth year in a row the Giants had a 1,000-yard rusher (Barber had the first five). The San Diego Chargers are the only other NFL team with a 1,000-yard rusher each season since 2002. LaDainian Tomlinson had all six 1,000-yard efforts.

In addition to Jacobs, Derrick Ward rushed for 602 yards and averaged 4.8 yards a carry before fracturing his fibula at Chicago on Dec. 2. Rookie Ahmad Bradshaw helped clinch a playoff berth with an 88-yard touchdown in Buffalo, the third-longest run in Giants history. Bradshaw also led the Giants in the postseason with 208 yards.

In Ingram’s first three seasons with the Giants, Barber emerged as one of the very best running backs in the NFL and one of the finest players in franchise history. Barber, who retired following the 2006 season, had never played in the Pro Bowl prior to Ingram’s arrival. But he was voted to the NFC team each of his final three seasons. In those three seasons, he rushed, in order, for 1,518 yards in 2004, a team-record 1,860 yards in 2005 and 1,662 yards last season. Barber, who rushed for 5,409 yards in his first seven Giants seasons, ran for 5,040 in just three years under Ingram to finish with a franchise-record 10,449 yards. Barber set the franchise record with 234 rushing yards at Washington in his final regular season game, breaking the mark of 220 yards he had set the previous season.

Ingram also helped make Jacobs one of the NFL’s best short-yardage and goal-line backs in limited playing time his first two seasons. In 2004, Jacobs was the first Giants rookie to score seven touchdowns since Bobby Johnson in 1984 and the first to rush for seven touchdowns since Bill Paschal ran for 10 scores in 1943. The following season, Jacobs rushed for 423 yards and nine scores to establish himself as Barber’s successor.

Prior to joining the Giants, Ingram was the running backs coach under Coughlin at Boston College and Jacksonville. The Jaguars were the only NFL team to rush for more than 2,000 yards in each season from 1998-2000, including an NFL-high 2,091 yards in 1999. Under Ingram’s direction, Fred Taylor rushed for more than 1,200 yards three times, including a team-record 1,399 yards in 2000, when he missed 3½ games. Taylor had nine consecutive 100-yard games, tied for the third-longest streak in NFL history. In 1998, the Jaguars rushed for a team-record 2,102 yards. Ingram is also known for turning his running backs into fine blockers and receivers; when he left Jacksonville, running backs had two of the three longest touchdown receptions in team history.

Ingram joined the Jaguars on March 3, 1994, 18 months before the franchise played its first regular season game, and stayed in Jacksonville until Coughlin left following the 2002 season. He was one of four assistant coaches who were with Coughlin during his entire tenure with the Jaguars.

Prior to his time in Jacksonville, Ingram spent three seasons as the running backs coach at Boston College. He began his coaching career in 1984, as a graduate assistant at the University of Michigan, his alma mater. The following year, he joined the staff at Ball State, first as tight ends coach, then as the running backs coach for five seasons. In 1991, he joined Coughlin at Boston College.

A fullback at Michigan, Ingram earned three letters and played on two Wolverines teams that won the Big Ten championship and advanced to the Rose Bowl. He graduated in 1984 with a degree in general studies.

Ingram was born in Dayton, Ohio. He grew up in Beaver, Pa. He and his wife, Kathleen, have a son, Julian.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Nationalist Moment (Repost)

For most Americans, the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. died the moment he stepped down from the podium after his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. The legacy of Dr. King, in the minds of many – and in the advertising of every single government, state and corporation that sings his praises – ends in the summer of 1963. It does not continue one day forward. The historical record, however, is very different. Dr. King’s methods and approaches in the southern states of this particular empire were broadly effective. And his words to and prescriptions for Black folks in 1968 are not the types of things you’ll hear celebrated in America these days.

In Dr. King’s final words to his people on April 3, 1968 he said so many things that audiences listening to fiery Black nationalist orators of the 19th century would have heard. On the eve of his death, Dr. Martin Luther King was as relevant, right and Black as any leader in our history. The Dreamer of 1963 was gone. In his final speech, he is clearly aware that his days are numbered. His words surprised his audience – and pushed the conversation to a place few of them were willing to go. Dr. King should not be remembered merely as a naive political dreamer, but as a centered, crystal clear advocate for the liberation of his people.

He said:

Something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee — the cry is always the same: “We want to be free.”

Black integrationist leaders have NEVER looked to Africa to claim common cause between Blacks here and there. And yet, in his final day, Dr. King directed our attention to South Africa, Kenya and Ghana at the same time he called on us to look to New York and the American South. For a man whose words were so purposefully chosen, there is no mistaking his intent here. I won’t go into detail here, but considering the conflicts on the ground at the time in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana – and considering the Black leadership at the time in those respective places, Dr. King’s message demands that we reclaim him and reframe his legacy.

Dr. King also said:

I can remember — I can remember when Negroes were just going around as Ralph has said, so often, scratching where they didn’t itch, and laughing when they were not tickled. But that day is all over. We mean business now, and we are determined to gain our rightful place in God’s world.And that’s all this whole thing is about. We aren’t engaged in any negative protest and in any negative arguments with anybody. We are saying that we are determined to be men. We are determined to be people. We are saying — We are saying that we are God’s children. And that we are God’s children, we don’t have to live like we are forced to live.Now, what does all of this mean in this great period of history? It means that we’ve got to stay together. We’ve got to stay together and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite, favorite formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the slaves fighting among themselves. But whenever the slaves get together, something happens in Pharaoh’s court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that’s the beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity.

Integrationists have never been concerned about unity among Black folk. After all, for the most part, their station, income and relevance were derived from American whites. In the shady recollections of most Americans, there is absolutely no way that MLK could have emphasized the need for unity among Black folk – but there it is. It’s as plain as day.

And there’s more:

Now the other thing we’ll have to do is this: Always anchor our external direct action with the power of economic withdrawal. Now, we are poor people. Individually, we are poor when you compare us with white society in America. We are poor. Never stop and forget that collectively — that means all of us together — collectively we are richer than all the nations in the world, with the exception of nine. Did you ever think about that? After you leave the United States, Soviet Russia, Great Britain, West Germany, France, and I could name the others, the American Negro collectively is richer than most nations of the world. We have an annual income of more than thirty billion dollars a year, which is more than all of the exports of the United States, and more than the national budget of Canada. Did you know that? That’s power right there, if we know how to pool it.

There have always been subsidized Black leaders who rail against the need for Blacks to collaborate on an economic basis. They are ubiquitous – but they are not heirs to the tradition of Dr. King. In fact, they are better placed among the historical traitors of any collective who seek to dissipate their own peoples’ wealth by talking about free trade and open markets. Poor peoples with immature or non-existent industries cannot afford to practice economics the same way wealthy people with mature industries conduct business. If they do, they’ll never be competitive. It is why nations protect industries and firms until they reach a point to compete on a broader basis. Of course, it isn’t that simple, but in essence, King was never a sell out like Bill Clinton (NAFTA, health care, etc.).

MLK spoke of “redistributing pain.”

We don’t have to argue with anybody. We don’t have to curse and go around acting bad with our words. We don’t need any bricks and bottles. We don’t need any Molotov cocktails. We just need to go around to these stores, and to these massive industries in our country, and say, “God sent us by here, to say to you that you’re not treating his children right. And we’ve come by here to ask you to make the first item on your agenda fair treatment, where God’s children are concerned. Now, if you are not prepared to do that, we do have an agenda that we must follow. And our agenda calls for withdrawing economic support from you.”

And so, as a result of this, we are asking you tonight, to go out and tell your neighbors not to buy Coca-Cola in Memphis. Go by and tell them not to buy Sealtest milk. Tell them not to buy — what is the other bread? — Wonder Bread. And what is the other bread company, Jesse? Tell them not to buy Hart’s bread. As Jesse Jackson has said, up to now, only the garbage men have been feeling pain; now we must kind of redistribute the pain.

A great deal must have happened between 1963 and 1968 in his life. I cannot recall another leader, aside from Minister El-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz for whom the last few years of life have been stricken from national memory. It makes perfect sense. Many of these same words were spoken by then-Malcolm X in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. They were spoken by Elijah Muhammad before that – and by Marcus Mosiah Garvey and Anna Julia Cooper before that.

Dr. King continues:

But not only that, we’ve got to strengthen black institutions. I call upon you to take your money out of the banks downtown and deposit your money in Tri-State Bank. We want a “bank-in” movement in Memphis. Go by the savings and loan association. I’m not asking you something that we don’t do ourselves at SCLC. Judge Hooks and others will tell you that we have an account here in the savings and loan association from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. We are telling you to follow what we are doing. Put your money there. You have six or seven black insurance companies here in the city of Memphis. Take out your insurance there. We want to have an “insurance-in.”

Now these are some practical things that we can do. We begin the process of building a greater economic base. And at the same time, we are putting pressure where it really hurts. I ask you to follow through here.

I don’t know that it can be stated more clearly and directly than that. Dr. King was clear that the struggle for Black liberation required coordination, discipline and sacrifice with respect to ECONOMICS. This is an unfinished agenda. The blatant consumerism and 1963 Dream-ism that has become conflated with his legacy is wholly unacceptable. It must be rejected at every turn. It did not reflect the fullness of the man and should not be his legacy.

While Dr. King did not espouse violence, he was clear that ongoing sacrifices of time would be essential to bring about a resolution in Memphis and beyond. Consider this:

Now, let me say as I move to my conclusion that we’ve got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end. Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point in Memphis. We’ve got to see it through. And when we have our march, you need to be there. If it means leaving work, if it means leaving school — be there. Be concerned about your brother. You may not be on strike. But either we go up together, or we go down together.

And, of course, there will always be others who work tirelessly to thwart our efforts toward self-determination. This work is not without peril…

You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, “Are you Martin Luther King?” And I was looking down writing, and I said, “Yes.” And the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I had been stabbed by this demented woman. I was rushed to Harlem Hospital.

He concluded:

And they were telling me –. Now, it doesn’t matter, now. It really doesn’t matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane, there were six of us. The pilot said over the public address system, “We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong with on the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we’ve had the plane protected and guarded all night.”And then I got into Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop.

And I don’t mind.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!

And so I’m happy, tonight.

I’m not worried about anything.

I’m not fearing any man!

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!!

And that was it. The date: April 3, 1968.

NFL Coaches and Players Discuss the Inauguration of Barack Obama

AP – President-elect Barack Obama speaks during 'We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln …

Check out the video:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80e3bfa1

2008 AFC Championship Game Preview: Ravens vs. Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are poised to host the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday for the 2008 AFC Championship Game.  The winner goes to the Super Bowl to face the winner of the NFC Championship Game featuring the Philadelphia Eagles at the Arizona Cardinals.  In this, the Year of the Risen Bird, the Steelers must feel like uninvited guests to a party of winged wildcards.  Only Pittsburgh managed to earn a bye week.  Only the Steelers survived the aerial assault (mostly on defense) by the Ravens, Cardinals and Eagles.  Aggressive snatch and grab techniques pushed these upstarts past favored teams like Tennessee, Carolina and the defending-Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

The Steelers and Ravens will square off for the third time this season.  The Steelers won at home 23-20 in overtime earlier this season.  They survived a controversial finish in Baltimore and escaped with a 13-9 victory in December.  Historically, the Steelers are 16-11 vs. the Ravens.  These two teams have played some of the most physical and brutal games in the history of the league.

Back in September, Pittsburgh’s first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was separated from his shoulder and the rest of the season by Ravens all-world linebacker Ray Lewis.  Ravens defenders like Ed Reed and Jarret Johnson have been rocked to their core by Steeler wide receiver Hines Ward.  Ward has been so effective that Terrell Suggs has seen fit to place a redemption bounty on Ward.

Beyond the fabled defenses which feature the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year (Steeler OLB James Harrison – 101 tkls., 16.5 sacks, 7 FF), safeties Ed Reed (only unanimous All-Pro selection) and Troy Polamalu, and the aforementioned Ray Lewis stand two quarterbacks poised to do battle once more.

and

For the Ravens, the man in the eye of the storm is “rookie” quarterback Joe Flacco.  The new kid from Delaware appears to be a star in the making.  He is the big-armed quarterback the Ravens looked for in Kyle Boller.  Flacco, though, appears to have the composure the Ravens sought in discarding Boller and drafting Ohio State legend (video link) Troy Smith.  An injury to Smith afforded Flacco his chance.  He hasn’t disappointed.  While his numbers have not been stellar, he has done two things: maintained ball security and made the occasional deep throw to loosen up defenses.  In the December rematch, Joe Flacco played his worst game of the season.  He was 11-28, 115 yards and 2 interceptions.  He didn’t enjoy his second look at the Steelers.  Odds are that his third look will be somewhat better than his dismal showing four weeks ago.

The Ravens feature the 4th-ranked run game in the entire league.  It is anchored by a large, bruising offensive line and an equally punishing LeRon McClain.  The nifty fullback-turned lead back led the Ravens in carries and yards in that December matchup vs. the Steelers.  He racked up 87 yards on the ground and alleviated some of the pressure faced by Flacco.  The Ravens also feature two excellent route running receivers (Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton) and versatile tight end Todd Heap.

The Steelers feature one of only three quarterbacks* to amass five wins versus the vaunted Ravens defense since 2000.  Ben Roethlisberger is 5-2 as a starter vs. the Ravens, with both losses coming during his Season of Riding Dangerously (2006).   In 5 career wins vs. the Ravens, Roethlisberger is 81-129 (62.7%) for 1044 yards, 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions with a rating of 103.2.

The Steelers also feature Willie Parker.  Parker was the league’s leading rusher in 2007 through 16 weeks, but he broke his leg in a game at St. Louis.  His recovery was to be aided by the insertion of Rashard Mendenhall into the lineup.  The Ravens scrapped that plan for the Steelers and forced an adjustment which was not completed until Week 17.  The Steelers dipped from 9th in scoring a year ago to 20th this season.  The rushing attack fell from 3rd in the league to 23rd.  For the first time in a long time, Willie Parker looks healthy.  He ran for 146 yards vs. the San Diego Chargers in the Division Round of the playoffs last week.

The Steelers may not be well-suited to run well against the Ravens.  Historically, even though the Steelers have had big lineman, they’ve used counters, traps and other types of pulling plays with very little success vs. Baltimore.  Reports out of Pittsburgh were that Willie Parker convinced Bruce Arians to go to a Zone Blocking scheme vs. the Chargers.  The zone blocking scheme allowed Parker to hit holes quicker and make decisive runs.  The line supported him by getting effective double-teams on Charger NT Jamal Williams.  The huge difference between the Ravens and Chargers is that SD does not have two run stuffing linebackers like Ray Lewis and Bart Scott.

*Note – The last player to rush for 100 yards vs. the Ravens was Larry Johnson (KC Chiefs) back in Week 14 of 2006.

Since 2006, most teams that have had success on the ground vs. Baltimore (100+ yards) have featured multiple backs with contrasting styles  (Chris Johnson and LenDale White, Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor, LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner, Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw, Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes, Sean Alexander and Maurice Morris) or a zone blocking scheme (Tatum Bell in Denver; Vick and Dunn in Atlanta; Addai and Rhodes in Indy; Travis Henry and Vince Young in Tennessee.   The Steelers may not trust Gary Russell to provide that change of pace attack, and so will rely on zone blocking schemes and seek to approximate the success of others.  The problem?  Neither Parker nor Mewelde Moore are “pile movers” and tend to play with a higher pad level that allows them to be tackled more easily when running in traffic.  (Both, of course, are magnificently elusive in “space” … the very thing the Ravens don’t give you.)

The Steelers know the Ravens are not the Chargers.   There are no secrets between these teams.  There is no love lost and the winner will be determined between the trenches and between the ears.  Turnovers may not be a factor in this game.  The teams have played even in head-to-head contests this season.  The game may well be decided through the air, where contrary to popular opinion, the Ravens have been decidedly weak against certain players.

Since 2004, the Baltimore Raven defense has been ranked sixth, fifth, first, sixth and second in overall defense.   (Only the Steelers have been better: first, fourth, ninth, first, first.)  The legacy of that defense goees all the way back to the Super Bowl team in 2000.  However, for all of their success since 2000, Baltimore has had some very surprising regular season failings against 3 QBs: Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer.

These three QBs have a combined regular season record of 15-8 vs. the Ravens.  In the post-season, only Manning has faced the Ravens.  He won a 15-6 slugfest en route to the Super Bowl (and did not perform well at all).

In the five wins vs. the Ravens, Roethlisberger has a 62.7 completion percentage and 11 touchdown passes.  He’s thrown 4 interceptions.  His rating is 103.2.

Manning and Palmer have been even better.   Manning has a 66.8 completion percentage (103-154), 1307 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and only 1 interception.  That interception was thrown in 2002.  In his last two games vs. Baltimore, Manning has thrown 7 touchdowns and no interceptions.  He has a rating of 114.3 in his 5 wins.

Carson Palmer has been unbelievable.  In his 5 wins vs. the Ravens, he has completed 71.5% of his passes for 1,397 yards and 10 touchdowns with 2 picks.  His rating is 114.6.  Palmer has been injured more frequently since his run-in with Kimo Von Oelhoffen in the 2005 Wildcard game, and has had some terrible games vs. the Ravens as well.  The 2008 season opener was one such game (9-24, 94 yards, 1 pick).  Nonetheless, Palmer has been more successful than not vs. the Ravens.  That is a claim that very few players can make.

Perhaps what is most striking about these numbers is that Roethlisberger, Manning and Palmer have significantly outperformed their career averages in wins vs. Baltimore.  Their concentration, attention to detail and execution has been razor sharp in those 15 wins.  They’ve produced amazing results.  That level of production over a full season is simply not possible – and its no guarantee of success on Sunday.  Can you imagine?

Roethlisberger:

259-413, 3341 yards, 35 touchdowns, 13 interceptions.  Rating 103.2.

Manning:

330 – 493, 4182 yards, 35 touchdowns, 3 interceptions. Rating 114.3

Palmer:

362 – 506, 4470 yards, 32 touchdowns, 6 interceptions. Rating 114.6

Caveat:  If the Ravens had the benefit of a balanced offense in these games, these numbers would probably look very different.  Big-armed QBs who do not turn the ball over have had success against this intimidating and formidable collection of players.

Prediction:

Ben Roethlisberger has two career losses to the Baltimore Ravens.  Both losses occurred during his worst season as a professional.  They occurred during a season in which he and Bill Cowher were the only two people in America who thought he should not have been benched.  Prior to his motorcycle accident, and since the beginning of the 2007 season, Roethlisberger is undefeated as a starter vs. the Baltimore Ravens.

His numbers vs. the Ravens in those wins suggest he is capable of having a productive game.  While quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer play alongside elite wide receivers like Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, and Chad Johnson, the Steelers have had consistent production from only Hines Ward.

For the Ravens to win this game, they will need to SCORE on defense and/or getting touchdowns from their passing game.  It would be wholly uncharacteristic of the Steelers for that to happen at this time.  For the Steelers to win, Willie Parker will need at least 20 carries.  I believe if he can average as little as 3 yards per carry, that will be sufficient to carry the day.  I expect Roethlisberger to have a solid game and make a few deep throws throughout the game.

I believe the Steelers to be the more rested team.  The Ravens bye week was moved to Week 2 this season due to weather in Texas.  The team hasn’t had a week off since September.  The Steelers defense was run down after several tough games and it showed as they yielded 100+ yards on the ground to New England, Baltimore, Tennessee and Cleveland to close out the season.  Only Dallas (95), with backup Tashard Choice,  failed to eclipse the 100 yard mark.   The Steelers rebounded from this slide to hold the San Diego Chargers to a mere 15 yards on the ground.  In Baltimore’s last five games, teams have rushed for 91 (Pittsburgh), 92 (Dallas), 118 (Jacksonville), 52 (Miami) and 116 (Tennessee).  Ed Reed’s after the whistle effort to crack the back of Chris Johnson was successful in getting the speedy back out of the game.  Only the Dolphins, led by a weak-armed QB incapable of keeping the Ravens defense honest was unable to have success on the ground.  The trend is clear.  The Ravens are a fatigued team that may be just a step slow on Sunday.

(It is worth noting that the Ravens are ranked 11th in scoring.  The defense scored 6 touchdowns and created short fields for many more.  Were it not for the prowess of the defense, the Ravens would probably rank around 22nd in the league in total scoring.  The offense was ranked 18th in yards.  Perhaps the Ravens should take a page out of the Chargers book and go deep early.  The plan needs to be different than the first two games.)

Question:  Name the last team to beat another team three times in the same season?

2002 Pittsburgh Steelers.  3 wins, by 3 points each game over the Cleveland Browns.

Score: Pittsburgh 33, Baltimore 13.

(Note: Last week, I predicted Pittsburgh 42, San Diego 17.  Actual score: Pitt 35, San Diego 24.)

Ray-Ray and Warren talk Defense…at NFL.com

NFL Preview Video at NFL.com

Addendum:  The Ravens finished the season with 5 blow out wins over Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Washington, Dallas and Jacksonville.  Baltimore blew out Miami in its first playof game for the second time this season.  Only the Steelers and Titans played Baltimore closely.