The biggest story from Week 6 didn't even happen during a game. Everyone is talking about the postgame fight between Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz. The seeds of discontent may have been sown earlier in the game. Harbaugh got a 15-yard penalty for challenging an unchallengeable play. It was a scoring play, and new for this season, all scoring plays are automatically reviewed. Schwartz allegedly made a comment similar to "know the rules" in Harbaugh's general direction.
After a close, tense game, the two met and midfield for a postgame handshake. An excited Harbaugh overzealousy shook Schwartz's hand and emphatically clapped him on the back.
It seemed like Schwartz said something, Harbaugh fired back, Schwartz chased him down and a melee ensued.
In my opinion, Schwartz greatly overreacted to Harbaugh's display of enthusiasm. But in order for there to be something to overreact to, there had to be an initial act and that is where Harbaugh is to blame.
I think they both embarrassed themselves and failed to act as leaders of men should. But if I have to pick one, and I do, that's what the poll demands, I will say Harbaugh was more wrong.
Topsy-Turvy World
I've talked about this many times in the past, but it always pays to be reminded, especially when trying to pick games, the NFL is a roller coaster. Teams play like shit next week, and world beaters the next. This week's examples: The ExpensiveCornPrices who lost to San Francisco by 45, then beat the Saints the next week. And the Giants who lost at home to Seattle and then beat the Bills.
White Guys Can Run, Can't Jump, But Can Run
There are very few white wide receivers in the NFL, but two of them have exploded for the biggest plays this season. There was Wes Welker outrunning everyone for a 99-yard TD against the Dolphins. And this week Aaron Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson for a 93-yard TD against St. Louis.
Ain't That a Shame
A couple weeks ago, I marveled at what I thought was an unusual occurrence. Two different quarterbacks both named Jason Campbell. Until Billy informed me that the Jason Campbell playing so capably for the Raiders was in fact the same Jason Campbell who used to play so poorly for the Redskins. Now, Jason Campbell's career renaissance has been delayed due to a broken collar bone. That's unfortunate for Campbell and for the Raiders. Backed into a corner with a solid running game and a good defense, they had no choice but to get a new quarterback. Unfortunately they had to drastically overpay, two first round picks, for Carson Palmer. But with Oakland at 4-2, they couldn't just trust their season to Kyle Boller.
Picture of the Week
Unsung hero and one of my favorite players in the league, Ovie Mughelli (Oh-vee Muh-hail-ee), celebrates after scoring a touchdown. Part of a dying breed of fullbacks, Mughelli has touched the ball only about 100 times in his 6-year career.
A Brief Rant About the Redskins
How quickly things change. On Saturday the Redskins were in first place with a surprising Rex Grossman enjoying a career revival. On Monday the Redskins are struggling and in the midst of a quarterback controversy. Despite the horrid start, the Redskins had several chances to get back in this game. The turning point should have come when OJ Atogwe picked off Michael Vick at the 1-yard line, preventing the Eagles from extending their 20-6 lead. Ok, so a 99-yard drive is too much to ask. But the Redskins got the ball back at the Eagles 18, and Grossman was intercepted. Then they stopped the Eagles on 4th down and Grossman was intercepted again. At that point Shanahan had no choice but to go to John Beck. But it was too late.
The question is: who should Shanahan start now? A tough stretch is coming up at Carolina, at Buffalo, San Francisco, three teams who are much better than we thought they would be. I think he should stick with Grossman. If the Redskins can keep games close, he likely won't make the mistakes he made against the Eagles when he was forcing the ball in order to lead a big comeback.
If the Super Bowl Were Played Today
Green Bay Packers 35 New England Patriots 21
Am I ever going to be able to put a different team in one of these two slots for the rest of the season? Probably not. So I will keep playing around with the score. This week I use the score from when the Packers beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.
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