Oh How I've Missed Ed Hochuli; Week 4 Picks
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| Fans use to accuse referee Ed Hochuli of calling penalties just so he could get more TV time, but I think football fans everywhere are glad Ed is back. (AP Photo) |
Annoying, right? Of course it was, but it sure is better than watching the debacle that has ensued in the league. The regular officials were locked out for the first three weeks of the season and coaches, players and fans wanted the replacement officials to go back to Foot Locker mainly for what transpired this past weekend.
This past week was a black eye for the league. From officials losing complete control of games, numerous cheap shots and illegal hits to defenseless receivers not being called, to the call on Monday night that cost the Green Bay Packers a football game. But don't place all the blame the replacement officials, most of the blame goes to the shield on the field.
The NFL and it's owners are at fault here. The replacement officials did the best they can. The fact is they were boys trying to officiate a man's game. There were going to be missed calls and wrong calls made, because these guys simply didn't know any better. They are working a very fast game, played by very physical players and they are going to miss calls. But when it impacts the outcome of a football game and the integrity of the game itself, enough is enough.
Instead of talking about all the great football that was played this past weekend from the three overtime games, to WR Mohamed Sanu throwing a 73-yd touchdown pass to A.J. Green on the first play of a Bengals win in D.C., everyone is talking about the officials. The NFL is beloved in this country, that's why they bring in over $9 billion in annual revenue and why ratings for NFL games are through the roof. Fans will still continue to watch the product on the field, but they deserve better. Because without the fans, there is no NFL.
On Wednesday night, the NFL and the NFLRA finally reached an agreement which will return the regular officials to an NFL stadium near you. So, for the first time in the history of sports, the officials will receive a standing ovation on Thursday night when the take the field to officiate Browns v. Ravens. It took longer than it should have, but the NFL did the players, coaches and fans a great service by getting the regular officials back on the field.
Ed Hochuli and the rest of the regular officials are back, and Ed has reportedly begun working out. Here's what he had to say Wednesday night.
"As soon as I heard the rumors, I got down on the floor and starting doing push-ups."Why am I not surprised? Week four picks are next.
Week 4 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
BALTIMORE over Cleveland: I'm afraid it's going to be another long season in Cleveland for Browns fans. Ravens by at least a touchdown.
ATLANTA over Carolina: Every time I take Carolina they lose. So, with that being said I'll take the Falcons who are an impressive 3-0.
New England over BUFFALO: The Patriots are a lot better than their 1-2 record might indicate and I think they get back to .500 with a win.
DETROIT over Minnesota: I said that only a fool would take the Vikings last week against the 49ers, well I guess I'm the fool now. I was very impressed by the Vikings win, but not impressed enough to take them against the Lions this week.
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| The Saints could do nothing to stop Jamaal Charles on Sunday allowing him to rush for 233-yds on 33 carries. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) |
Seattle over ST. LOUIS: If it weren't for the blown call on Monday night, everyone would be talking about how impressive Seattle's defense was against the Packers. They sacked Aaron Rodgers eight times in the first half last week and I look for them to get to Sam Bradford and the Rams on Sunday.
San Francisco over NY JETS: The Jets are going to miss CB Darrelle Revis and I think an angry 49ers team will put a beat down on Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Co.
HOUSTON over Tennessee: The Texans are the best team in the AFC in my opinion and I think they stay undefeated with a win over division rival Tennessee.
ARIZONA over Miami: Arizona is a lot better than people give them credit for, especially on defense, and I think they improve to 4-0 with a win over Miami on Sunday.
DENVER over Oakland: It's been a rough two weeks for Peyton Manning and the Broncos, but it's not time to panic just yet. It's going to take some time for Manning and his offense to gel together and I expect them to win some games here in the coming weeks. The Raiders are going to put up a fight in this rivalry game, but I like Manning and the Broncos to get the win.
GREEN BAY over New Orleans: Nobody is more upset over the call on Monday night than the Packers, who were on the losing side of that call. I expect the Pack to play their best game of the season against a Saints team that is pretty bad without head coach Sean Payton. And I picked the Saints to win the division, "C'mon Man!"
Washington over TAMPA BAY: Although the Redskins have had trouble stopping people on defense, I like RG3 to have a big game down in Tampa against the Buccaneers.
NY Giants over PHILADELPHIA: I'm going to put the over/under on Eagle turnovers this week at three. Michael Vick has not played well this season and quite frankly they are lucky to be 2-1. After watching the Giants dismantle the Panthers last week despite numerous injuries and seeing just how good Eli and the G-Men are on the road, I got the Giants here.
DALLAS over Chicago: Did you know the Bears won 23-6 last week against the Rams? Yeah, neither did I because it was such an unimpressive win that nobody is talking about it. Dallas gets the win on Monday night hopefully not on a controversial call in the end zone like last Monday.
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| Robert Griffin III was hit 13 times and was sacked six times by Michael Johnson (left) and the Bengals pass rush this past Sunday. (Preston Keres/Special to The Washington Times) |
As for the defense, some progress was made. The first half was their best half of the season and hopefully they can build on that in the coming weeks. The line got pressure on RG3 and the unit as a whole was able to get off the field on third down. Michael Johnson, who was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week, could not be stopped. Johnson had six total tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss and seven hits on Robert Griffin III. Carlos Dunlap chipped in with three hits on the RG3 including a sack in which he forced and recovered a fumble.
The second half was awful, but with the way the defense has been playing, it's an encouraging sign. Mike Zimmer's guys aren't there yet, but I expect them to continue to get better in the coming weeks and I like there chances against Jacksonville.
This week the Bengals head down to Jacksonville to take on the 1-2 Jaguars. RB Maurice Jones-Drew is one of the top five running backs in the league and with the Bengals having trouble stopping the run, look for MJD to have a big day. However, with the way the Bengals offense has been playing, scoring 72 points in the last two games, I like the Bengals chances. Andy Dalton and the offense put on another impressive offensive display and lead the Bengals to their third win of the season. Bengals 27, Jaguars 20.
Byes: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh
Last Week: 8-8*
Overall: 26-22*
*My record should be 27-21, because I picked the Packers to win last Monday and they clearly should have won that football game, but hey, who's counting?
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