Halftime

At halftime of the early games, I have a few points to make:

1. Patriots are overrated and understaffed. They didn't look very good against the Raiders last Thurday but, after all, Norv Turner is a lousy coach and has no idea how to win games. The Panthers are showing the world why the Patriots aren't as good as everyone thought. Their linebackers aren't as good this year as they've been in the past and it shows. They're slow to cover the underneath passes and they don't pursue the run as well as they used to. The Teds (Bruschi and Johnson) are the biggest reason why the Pats have looked so sloppy through 6 quarters. Factor in the absence of Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel and, voila, you have a team ripe for a fall this year. I don't care what sort of spin and rationalizations Bill Simmons throws out there, Weis and Crennel were important to the team and Bill Belichick can't do it all by himself (even if he is a genius). I look forward to the spin-job we'll all have to read from all the sphincter-lickers in New England. Finally, their special teams coverage is horrendous and Corey Dillon either aged 10 years in the off-season or he picked up a donuts-and-chocolate milk habing because he looks sloooooow. Bad for my fantasy team but great for the NFL. The Pats may yet win the Super Bowl this year but I'm sure it'll be a dogfight for them this year.

2. Vikings stink! What was that about a revamped D and an O that won't miss Moss? Moss made Daunte look good. Tice is a moron. 'Nuff said.

3. The Bears D is underrated. Hitman and I are the only ones on this site that are buying in. They're crushing Detroit and might win the NFC North with a 6-10 record. I'm not even kidding.

4. I hate T.O. The 49ers have no pride. Zero. None. How on earth could you let this prima donna bitch, the one that walked out on you in the most disgraceful way, come in and singlehandedly beat you in the 1st quarter? Even if it's a cheap shot, why not make sure his day ends early? What on earth are they preaching in that lockerroom? Even in high school, my football team believed in getting hits on the other team's best player. Mike Nolan is as much of a patsy as I thought he was.