New Years Day should be Bowl Day

The Counselor is IN: 

The Tostitos BCS Championship Game  is on January 10th this year.  When I heard this I was taken back by it. My first thought was, “why is it so late in the year?”  I do understand the answer is money but I am frustrated with that answer.

I know I might sound like some old timer with these thoughts but I hate that the College football season does not end on New Years Day.  When I was a youth, all of the big College Bowl games occurred on January 1st. There were some minor Bowl games during the week after Christmas, but the 1st was College Bowl Day.  We would watch the top level Collegiate football all day long.

This season there are 7 Bowl games after the New Year.  There are a few big historical Bowl games on this list like the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl and of course the BCS Championship Bowl game.  But there are other ones that are not big name games after New Years like GoDaddy.Com Bowl, and Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.  

When the BCS game started, they slated it to January 2nd.  I did not like it then.  Now it is on January 10th.  When does this extending of the season end?  Is Martin Luther King Jr Day the next big Collegiate Bowl day?  Why not push it back to the weekend before the Super Bowl or put it on Presidents Day?  Why not start March Madness off with the BCS Game?  

Lets end the insanity and make New Years Day the big Bowl game day that it was in years past.

 The Counselor is OUT: 
 

Is Jason Garrett the answer in Dallas?

The Counselor is IN:

Two weeks ago, I would have laughed at this question, “Is Jason Garrett the answer in Dallas?”  The only thing that brought more fear to me than leaving Wade Phillips as the coach, was to give the position to Jason Garrett because his offense appeared to under achieving more than Wade’s defense.  After two victories under Garrett, I am not so quick to deny the validity of the question.

During the first 9 weeks of the season (only played 8 games because of bye week) , the Dallas Cowboys average right around 10 penalties a game.  In the two weeks under Jason “Red Headed Genius” Garrett, the number penalties have almost dropped in half.  The Cowboys have averaged 5.5 penalties over the last two weeks.

Under Wade this season, the Cowboys continually turned over the football.  They were -10 on the turnover ratio for Wade’s eight ball games.  Over the last two games, the Cowboys are plus 3.

Jason Garrett is having the Boys work on the small details.  He has them wearing pads and practicing at full speed during the week.  He is enforcing meeting times and making the players be responsible.  He even implemented a dress code for the players for flights and game day.  You can see this has made a difference by watching how different this team has approached both of these games under Garrett.  It is hard to argue with the declining penalties and turnovers.

It does appear that Garrett has been the answer over Wade Phillips for these two games.  After just two games, I am not willing to declare Garrett the long term answer in Dallas.  They need to continue to stay focused and disciplined.  If Garrett can get the Cowboys to play more focused and to continue to work on the details this season, then he just may be the long term answer in Dallas.


 The Counselor is OUT:
 

Rangers Win First Playoff series

The Counselor is IN:

As a Texas Rangers fan, this is a time of celebration.  Congratulations Rangers.  Don't celebrate to long because you will be facing the New York Yankees come Friday. 

It is a strange story how I became a Rangers fan.  I grew up and still live in Southwest Missouri.  In the early 80s both  the ST. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals were fantastic.  Since they were both so good, the local fans would argue over which team was better.  I grew tired of these debates so I picked a random team from the list of MLB teams.  I had no idea where the Texas Rangers played (other than in Texas).  I continued to cheer for both the Cardinals and Royals but from that time forward, I am a Texas Rangers Fan first.

As I started rooting for the Rangers, I quickly learned that this team was not like the Royals and Cardinals of the early 80s.  The Rangers were not a winning team and did not have a positive mentality. It did not matter because I picked them as my team and I continued to cheer for them. 

I loved the Nolan Ryan years for the Rangers.  I still smile when I think about Nolan Ryan beating the snot (and blood) out of Robin Ventura. 

I hoped and dreamed the Rangers of the late 90s when the made the playoffs but then ousted by the Yankees. 

I am very excited about the Rangers victory over the Rays.  It was a strange series with the road team winning each game.  I was enthralled with tonights game with the Rangers aggressive base running to take the lead and keep it on the Rays.  Go Rangers and beat the Yankees.

The Counselor is OUT:

Fantasy Football: Pick Up or Dump

The Counselor is IN:

Pick Up or Dump is a section about what players you should pick up on the waiver wire this and those players you should drop from your roster.

Pick Up


1)  RB Arian Foster - Texans


Huge Up Side for all season and in keeper leagues 


Foster is already owned in many leagues.  ESPN is showing him available in 15 % of leagues and Yahoo shows him available in 29 % of their leagues.  If he is available in your league, pick him up quick.  He will not be available for long after last weekend's performance.  He will not rush for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns every week but he should be a solid #2 RB for you. 


2) RB Brandon Jackson - Packers

Huge Up Side for all season and for keeper leagues

Running back Ryan Grant was placed on the Injured Reserve with a torn ligament in his right ankle.  This has promoted Jackson to the starter.  Grant has 1253 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season.  Jackson was drafted 4 years ago to be the starter until Grant beat him out for the starting gig.  Look for Jackson to attempt to prove he should be the starter. 

3) QB Michael Vick- Eagles

Some Up side and potential

Michael Vick had a great week one coming in for QB Kevin Kolb who had a concussion.  It is unlikely that Kolb will have recovered enough to play this next weekend.  If Vick continues to play well, he could start a QB Controversy in Philly.  Kolb was not having a good game when he got his concussion. 

4) WR Dexter McCluster - Chiefs

Long term Up Side and Potential especially in a keeper league

McCluster had a huge weekend as a return specialist.  He has a lot of potential as a wide receiver in an improving Chief's offense.

5)  WR Mike Williams - Bucs

Major Upside and Potential especially in a keeper league

Rookie receiver Mike Williams is the number one receiver already in Tampa.  He has a ton of potential.  He had 5 catches and a touchdown in weekend. 


Dump

1)  WR Anthony Gonzalez - Colts

Gonzalez was the up and coming Wide Receiver for the Colts at the beginning of last season.  He went down with an injury and has lost his place.  He is injured again with an ankle injury.  Many believed he would be back to that same level but he is clearly behind Collie and Garcon. 

2)  WR Patrick Crayton - Chargers

Crayton was traded to the Chargers.  Many thought he would step into a starting role since Jackson is still holding out.  It is clear after this last weekend that Crayton is no better off with the Chargers than he was with the Cowboys.

3)  WR Chaz Schilens - Raiders

Chaz was the top receiver on the Raiders coming into season.  He had a decent season last year and was expected to progress with a new QB.  With his injury, his potential for a big season is dropping fast.  I suggest dropping his a quick.


The Counselor is OUT:

Week 1 Fantasy Football Injuries- Thursday Edition

Here are the Thursday edition of Week 1 fantasy injuries and my commentary. I am posting a Thursday's edition and the regular Weekend edition. The Thursday Edition will list injuries for the Thursday's games only.


Packers:
QB Brett Favre is probable with a sprained ankle. Favre will continue his record of most starts and will play on Thursday night's opening of the NFL season.  I look for a shootout from two of the best QBs in the league.


WR Sidney Rice is out indefinitely with a hip injury.  He is expected to miss about half the season. 

Saints:
WR Marques Colston is probable with a bruised kidney.  He suffered the bruise in the final preseason game but will start.  The kidney should not affect his fantasy value. 

The Counselor is OUT: