Donovan McNabb Injured in Week 1 - Broken Rib

Just when we thought the Eagles were a Super Bowl contender, Donovan McNabb goes down with a cracked rib. With 8:27 left in the 3rd quarter, McNabb was left holding both his legs, after getting hit by three different Panther defenders while scrambling into the end zone for a 3-yd touchdown run.

Michael Vick can't play until Week 3, but is this a sign that Philadelphia management knew what they were doing when acquiring Vick?

McNabb walked off the field on his own power, but was taken to the locker room for further examination soon after. He later returned to the sidelines and removed his gear.

It is still unclear how much time, if any, he could miss. We will keep you updated on the injury.

Last Minute Fantasy Football Sleeper Pickups

Looking for that missing link to your fantasy football championship? Maybe you missed your draft and the automated system did your drafting for you. Or maybe all your sleepers were taken off the board before you had your chance to grab them. If you're suffering from either of these complications or simply want the greatest possible edge over your league, there's great news.

Here are some fantasy studs that no one thought to pick up, but are certain to produce. Ultimately, they'll lead you to the promised land of fantasy stardom.

Quarterbacks:

1) Brady Quinn, CLE - It's his time to shine. Braylon Edwards will clean up his act and Quinn could potentially mirror Derek Anderson's 2007 season - 3,787 yds and 29 TD's. The Browns aren't as bad as you think. In fact, they added WR's David Patten and Mike Furrey along with TE Robert Royal. It'll feel like the Kellen Winslow and Donte Stallworth thing never even happened.

2) Kyle Orton, DEN - His finger injury will give you a perfect opportunity to snag him before anyone else does. He'll be fine by Week 2 and Denver ranked first in pass protection a year ago. Unlike in Chicago, where he had to get rid of the ball 3 seconds after the snap, Orton will have time to throw. Furthermore, he actually has receivers to throw to. Forget Brandon Marshall, who's in contract year by the way. I'll take my chances with Orton throwing to Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Tony Scheffler and Knowshon Moreno. Wow, I think I just convinced myself to pick up Kyle Orton.

3) Trent Edwards, BUF - Terrell Owens...Lee Evans? These two names alone are enough to make anyone want to pick up the quarterback throwing to them. The best part of it all is that he's available in a heck of a lot of leagues. Know that two burners, like T.O. and Evans, can significantly elevate even an average quarterback's numbers. Like Edwards' in this case. Factor in Marshawn Lynch when he returns from his 3-game suspension and an upgraded offensive line, and we have a well-balanced offensive attack.

4) Chad Pennington, MIA - I'll bet you didn't know he's the most accurate passer in the NFL over the past three years, with a 67 percent completion percentage in 2008. Or that he helped the Phins rank 12th in passing last season airing out 235 ypg. Who were his receivers again? Exactly, these are the signs of a worthy fantasy quarterback.

5) Matthew Stafford, DET - Give me Calvin Johnson, Dennis Northcutt and Kevin Smith alongside any quarterback, not to mention a rookie with an arm like Stafford's, and we're talking instant offense. This in turn should translate into large chunks of yards and touchdowns. The Lions' defense won't be doing Stafford any favors this year, so it'll be up to him to keep Detroit in games, as funny as that sounds. I've heard just about everyone say the Lions can only go up from their previous season of going 0-16.

6) Shaun Hill, SF - Perhaps, not having Michael Crabtree around is a good thing. Last I checked the 49ers still have Josh Morgan, Issac Bruce, and now co-captain, Vernon Davis. 7-3 as a starter last season to go with 14 touchdowns in that span and we're talking a legitimate backup QB option. Just don't drop too much value to get him. At best, he's a bye week-filler.

7) JaMarcus Russell, OAK - Darrius Heyward-Bey, Javon Walker, Johnnie Lee-Higgins, Zach Miller? Are you sure this isn't a passing offense? Two of those guys have two last names and if history is any indication, that's a good thing -- Ocho-Cinco, Jones-Drew, Big-Plays, Fast-Runners...oh whoops, sorry, got a little carried away. The Point here is that Russell is developing into a better quarterback. He threw for 2 touchdowns in each of his last three games a season ago, in which he also averaged 209 passing yards. In addition, he had 4 games last year with at least 228 ypg. Not too shabby for a guy with this much upside.

8) Brodie Croyle, KC - Someone's gotta throw it to Dwayne Bowe. Come Sunday that someone will be Croyle. Clearly, this is a one week thing and he should only be picked up out of desperation.

9) Marc Bulger, STL - St. Louis plays the league's worst pass defense tomorrow in Seattle. Bulger, as always, is listed on the injury report with a small chip fracture on his right pinkie. His status is probable for the game and if the injury doesn't cause him too much discomfort, we should see fairly decent numbers as far as passing yards are concerned. The Rams have a better Wide Receiver tandem than people think in Donnie Avery and Laurent Robinson. Robinson has has quietly put up great numbers in the preseason. However, Steven Jackson will most likely swallow up Bulger's touchdowns, unless of course, they connect through the air.

10) Mark Sanchez, NYJ - Call me crazy, but I'm actually going to put two rookie quarterbacks in my top 10. The reason being, I have confidence in the Jets' offensive line. The line could easily rank among the top 5 best o-lines in the game right now. I like what I'm seeing in the receiving corps and Sanchez appears to be making the right decisions for reads, if the preseason is any indication of his regular season play. And last, but not least, remember what Matt Ryan did a year ago to date in his regular season debut? 'Nuff said.

Running Backs:

1) Derrick Ward, TB - I know he's been dropped in a lot of leagues. Don't be the guy hitting yourself after someone else picks him up and he repeats last season's performance of 1,400+ total yards.

2) James Davis, CLE - A monster set to unleash. I like to compare Cleveland's backfield to a ticking time bomb. Jamal Lewis is like the timer, ticking away, just waiting to expire. And Davis is like the bomb, waiting to explode.

3) Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG - Remember what Derrick Ward did for the Giants last season in a reserve role? Well, the G-Men happen to have one of the league's best o-lines, if not thee best, this season.

4) Sammy Morris, NE - Someone in Bill Belichick's offense is going to run for 6-8 touchdowns. It all boils down to Morris or Maroney.

5) Laurence Maroney, NE - See Sammy Morris. In addition, Maroney still has the jets and elusiveness. He's only 24.

-- Here come the rookies. --

Note that last year, 5 rookies scored at least 10 Touchdowns (Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, Jonathan Stewart, and Tim Hightower), and 3 of them eclipsed 1,200 yds.

6) LeSean McCoy, PHI - One Brian Westbrook injury away from becoming a highly productive running back in a system where any back could flourish.

7) Glen Coffee, SF - San Fran wants to apply a more conservative approach this season after the departure of pass-enthusiast, Mike Martz. What this means? A run heavy offense that is sure to wear down Frank Gore, who has never been able to stay healthy. Hello, replacement.

8) Rashad Jennings, JAX - Remember that shin injury Maurice Jones-Drew sustained in the preseason? There will be plenty more to come ever since he took the role of a full-time back. Part of winning your league is knowing who to pick up in "injury-waiting-to-happen" situations like these.

9) Shonn Greene, NYJ - Do you honestly think Thomas Jones, at age 31, can repeat last season's success? Short answer, no. And that's why the Jets brought in Greene, the new goal-line and short yardage back. Let Leon Washington and Jones push up their way up the field, while Greene "The Touchdown Machine" will steal their touchdowns. Why has everyone given up on him again?

10) Rashard Mendenhall, PIT - He can run and he can catch. Just wait until he gets more reps and gets all the kinks out of his system after recovering from last season's injury. Pittsburgh likes to run.

11) Mike Bell, NO - Pierre Thomas most likely won't play Week 1. Mike Bell will start in place of him. Detroit, a terrible defense to begin with, will be concentrating on Drew Brees' passing attack. Catch my drift?

12) Chester Taylor, MIN - If Adrian Peterson goes down...handcuff, handcuff, handcuff.


Wide Receivers:

1) Chris Henry, CIN - Carson Palmer likes to compare him to Randy Moss. I like to compare him to a guy who, when healthy, can get you a touchdown (or more) almost any given Sunday. In 2006, he caught 36 balls. Of those 36 passes caught, 9 were touchdowns. Scary. That was with a healthy Palmer. And guess what, Palmer's healthy again! It's funny because this guy's had so many off the field altercations, that almost every league manager has forgotten who he is. Not for long though.

2) Robert Meachem, NO - Meachem admitted that he was nervous and felt out of sync with the offense his first two seasons in the NFL. As a result, his stats suffered. Now, he's a completely reinvented player. Drew Brees and the Saints' coaching staff can really tell the difference in Meachem's level of confidence on the field. In fact, even Robert Meachem will tell you things are about to change, for the better. He's 6-2 and reminds me a lot of Houston's Andre Johnson -- both are big and fast, revolutionizing the WR position. Meachem will probably start the season as the team's N0. 3 Wide Receiver, but has a chance to move up to become a starter. He lives for the long ball, remember that when you're looking for a big-play threat.

3) Earl Bennett, CHI - Devin Hester, Devin Shmester...who needs him when you got Earl Bennett? Most of you are saying who? And that's because Bennett won't beat you with his speed, he won't dazzle you with his vertical leaping ability to make a catch, nor will he overpower opposing corners and safeties. Consequently, that earned him no TV-time. No surprise there. Earl is simply a great route runner and does everything necessary to produce for your team on a consistent basis. He can easily get you 7-9 fantasy points each week if Chicago uses him correctly. Oh, and one more thing, did you know he played one year in Vanderbilt with Jay Cutler, catching 75-plus passes?...Don't hurt yourself as you move the mouse to acquire him 'cause I know that last part is music to any fantasy owner's ears.

4) Josh Morgan, SF - An Anquan Boldin clone who can make the big play, as shown by his yards-per-catch numbers, 16 ypc in 2008. All three of his touchdowns last season came from 30 yards out (30, 31, and 48-yard touchdowns). Impressive.

5) Chris Chambers, SD - Contract year + Underwhelming 2008 season = more than his 33 receptions and 5 touchdowns last year. Five touchdowns on those reception totals isn't bad at all for a backup receiver, if you ask me. Factor in Chambers' incentive to produce this year in order to get a new deal and you have a legitimate fantasy starter. I could realistically see his numbers double barring an injury. No joke. I mean, he did catch 5 TD's in his first 5 games last season before going down with an ankle injury that bothered him for the rest of the season.

6) Patrick Crayton, DAL - Tony Romo is far too good a quarterback for Crayton not to have a good year. Unless Miles Austin suddenly proves he can run with the starters, Crayton will put up fairly consistent numbers week-in, week-out. Six or seven touchdowns and 800 yards on the season is a real possibility.

7) Joey Galloway, NE - When Peyton Manning threw for 49 TD's in 2004, remember Brandon Stokley's numbers? (68 rec, 1077 yds, and 10 td's) Now, I'm not saying Tom Brady will throw for 50 touchdowns again, but he could come close. If this happens, Galloway will get his share of touchdowns and yards. Don't let his age (37) deter you, he can still burn half the corners in the league. Pair that with single coverage, thanks to Randy Moss, and you have an excellent no. 3 or backup wideout.

8) Brandon Stokley, DEN - Let's face it, Brandon Marshall doesn't want to be in Denver. Brandon Stokley, on the other hand, would love to stick around. So when I heard that the Broncos were going to give Stokley a bigger role this season, rather than just slot duties, I immediately thought back to his aforementioned 2004 season. The Denver Broncos have a great deal of potential on offense. However, the question remains, how well can first-year head coach, Josh McDaniels, manage that offense, which also boasted a top-rated pass attack a year ago?

9) Jeremy Maclin, PHI - McNabb's next favorite target. L.J. Smith left and DeSean Jackson's stock appears to be on the decline. Make no mistake, head coach, Andy Reid, is looking for a wide receiver to step up over last year's inconsistency at the position. The Eagles felt Maclin was a top-10 prospect in this year's draft, so they were thrilled to see him slide to them at pick 19. If Maclin gets viable playing time this season, he could easily get you an additional few rushing touchdowns.

10) Steve Smith, NYG - Smith is looking more and more like he could be the Giants' go-to-guy on the receiving end this year. He's just an average receiver, at best, but in that kind of offense with Eli Manning calling the shots, it's tough to screw up that kind of role, especially now that Plaxico Burress is gone. Smith scored only 1 touchdown all of last season, but look for that to change in 2009.

11) Justin Gage, TEN - After last Thursday's opening game, a lot of people may have grabbed him, so I'm ranking him at 11. Not because he's worse than anybody else above him on this board, but because we've already seen what he's capable of and I'm not going to cheat my rankings by telling you what you already know. (7 rec, 78 yds, 1 td against the Steelers) He's not only big at 6-4, which creates mismatches, but last season off just 34 receptions, he managed an unfathomable 651 yards and 6 touchdowns.

12) Johnnie Lee-Higgins, OAK - Higgins caught an 84-yd bomb as his first play last season and then cooled off until the final three weeks of the season. In those final three weeks, he registered a touchdown in each game and seemed to be developing a very good connection with quarterback, JaMarcus Russell. Higgins also returned 3 kicks for touchdowns. Is he fast or what? Teams are going to have to pick their poison -- Darrius Heyward-Bey or Johnnie Lee-Higgins.

13) Mark Bradley, KC - Now that Gonzo, aka Tony Gonzalez, is well, gone-zo, the Chiefs will have to find somebody to fill the void. The former Chiefs' TE brought 96 receptions, 10 touchdowns, and over 1000 yards to the table for Kansas City in 2008. Who better than the up-and-coming Bradley to help smooth the transition? In 5 of the 8 games he started last season, he recorded 52 or more receiving yards, 5 straight games mind you.

14) Andre Davis, HOU - Kevin Walter could potentially miss this week's opener for the Texans, as he's listed as a game-time decision. If that's the case and he doesn't play, Andre Davis is your man. If Walter does play, then chances are, he's not. Davis had an excellent season when Andre Johnson was hurt in 2007. He is more than capable of getting 100 yards-plus every week. But in this case, asking for injuries for a player to perform, is asking a lot. Unless, of course, it's a long-term running-back situation where you know the back will eventually get hurt, as previously noted.

Michael Jordan a Hall of Famer, Hopes to Play at Age 50

The wait is finally over, His Airness was officially inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2009.

"He opened with tears in his eyes and closed leaving tears in ours."

After delivering his ceremonial speech, Jordan left a lasting impression on the basketball world. He opened with tears in his eyes and closed leaving tears in ours. Judging from his words of wisdom, I can already envision MJ coaching sooner rather than later. He's the ultimate motivator, one who can move mountains with his words alone, despite having a number accolades that call for no words to be uttered. Words simply cannot do justice to his array of accomplishments both on and off the court. As they say, "anything he touches turns to gold." And today we discovered where Michael learned this magic touch.

Let's not forget, he was once human before he became the iconic, almighty figure he is today. On this day, we discovered that Jordan became inhuman through the presence of others. He adopted his passion and competitive nature for the game and life from his family, coaches, and players like: Joe Dumars, Magic Johnson, George Gervin, and Larry Bird. This alone proved that even the best motivators must first be motivated by someone other than themselves.

I feel confident when I say this, we simply cannot motivate ourselves. Motivation derives from others and that is why basketball is a team sport. Even individual sports like tennis and golf necessitate coaches and personal trainers. Athletes, just like every other profession, do not build themselves. They need someone to first lay a foundation. Any inspirational figure in any field, not just sports, will tell you, they wouldn't have conquered the odds without someone pushing them to go harder every inch of their journey. What we learned from Michael Jordan today is that a person doesn't always have to be standing next to you to play a pivotal role in the development of you and your craft. Motivation, in essence, can exist in spirit. And may the spirit of His Airness live on forever.

Let's hope he stays true to his word and plays some form of organized basketball at age 50, preferably against Byron Russell in a fresh pair of basketball shorts.

Iverson on Grizzlies, Claims He's a Rookie Again

Allen Iverson will rank among the top scorers in the NBA again this 2009-2010 season, mark it down in your calendars now. Not only that, he will help carry the Memphis Grizzlies to the playoffs in a Western Conference that drops off significantly after the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets. What makes the situation even more entertaining is that:

a) He stated at his Grizzlies' introductory news conference today that it's going to be a personal year for him, basically serving as his rookie season again. (Check the rookie footage below.) That alone says it all, but wait there's more...



b) Iverson finally landed a team that will give him a chance to start.

c) He's receiving only a 1-year deal worth $3.1 million. (An incentive to maybe earn one final multi-year deal before calling it quits.)

What makes me so confident in my rationale?

It's quite simple actually. When Allen Iverson has something to prove, there's absolutely nobody and no force capable of stopping his drive to leave doubters second guessing themselves. Even at the ripe old age of 34. Think of back to his playing days in Philadelphia. I'm going to take you back in time on the Allen Iverson Journey Trail...

"He was a Warrior, in every sense of the word, battling for the hearts of Philadelphia's fans..."

A.I. was a tremendous athlete even in high school, capable of playing quarterback for Bethel High School's football team, which he eventually led to the state championship. Clearly, he was a better basketball player above all else, which brought him to Georgetown University to play under coach, John Thompson. Thompson was like a father figure to young Allen and ultimately kept him in check to eliminate any distractions that could have potentially affected his play at the college level. Iverson was a standout once again, but this time in the college game, where he earned two Big East Defensive Player of the Year Honors. In addition, he ended his tenure at Georgetown as the Hoya's all-time leading scorer in ppg with an astounding 23 ppg for his career.

Then came the real glory days.

"This gives Iverson ample opportunity to play a lead role in reviving a city, a franchise, and most importantly, leaving a lasting imprint on the final chapter of his career."

"The Answer" was the nickname he earned during his playing days with the Philadelphia 76ers. The name says it all. He was the answer to all of Philly's woes after The Great Dr. J left the game. Iverson had Philly on his back and he liked it that way. He liked being the center of attention, as attested by his persistent knack to play through even the worst of injuries. He was a Warrior, in every sense of the word, battling for the hearts of Philadelphia's fans, and for one reason alone, he was getting recognized in return for his efforts. Recognized for his unparalleled dedication to the game. He was the smallest player ever to earn MVP honors for crying out loud! To put it blunt, the feeling was mutual between A.I. and Philly. Philly loved him and he loved it back.

Enter Memphis.

In Memphis, the Grizzlies have had their own setbacks. They play in a city starving to bring basketball back on the map after relocating from Vancouver. This gives Iverson ample opportunity to play a lead role in reviving a city, a franchise, and most importantly, leaving a lasting imprint on the final chapter of his career. Sound familiar? *cough* Philadelphia all over again. He's, once again, a man on a mission. C'mon now, who wouldn't want to witness, what will be, a remarkable comeback by the NBA's all-time greatest little man? Better yet, who wouldn't want to watch him play like a rookie again? Yes, he won Rookie of the Year, in case you're wondering...with stiff competition like: Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Steve Nash, Marcus Camby, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Jermaine O'Neal, and Antoine Walker. Did I mention he's a 10 time All-Star and 4-time scoring champ?

Problem: The Grizzlies' Record and Underperformance
"Answer:" Allen Iverson

Carson Palmer Admits NFL is Asking For Fatality

Palmer recently stated,

"The truth of the matter is ... somebody is going to die here in the NFL. It's going to happen."

Sure the game is evolving. We know linebackers are not only getting bigger, but faster, as well. If you told somebody a few decades back that a 6-5, 300 pounder could run the 40 in roughly 4 and a half seconds, they'd laugh in your face. Saying the game is simply changing for the purpose of better entertainment is an understatement. With an increase in flash -- quicker runs and bigger hits -- comes a significantly heightened level of potential for serious injury. It's simple physics, the faster two players run at each other from opposite ends of the field, the more impactful the collision will be. Not to mention, the huge, almost freakish physique of these players at each position, which even further contributes to injury risk. Ultimately, the NFL is evolving at a rate never before witnessed. With each growing day, players are finding new ways to outperform their competition.

"We don't need a repeat of something like this before we start rethinking the issue of player safety. "

The NFL always has been and always will be an extreme contact sport, nonetheless, Commissioner Roger Goodell should take further precautions to ensure the safety of his players. Perhaps, this could mean investing in R&D for player equipment technology, such as better helmet safety and back support systems. Some of you are saying, this has already been done. But, remember you're dealing with people's lives here. Too much is never enough when dealing with matters of life and death. There is always something out there that's better than what we have now for: helmets, mouthguards, pads, braces, you name it.

Furthermore, it wouldn't hurt to review some of the current hitting rules with a fine-toothed comb. Too often we hear of players complaining that, "this should rule be changed" or "this hit should be made illegal." The players are the ones who play the game and their opinions should be valued. The last thing we want to hear is that same player, who issued a formal complaint about a hit, getting leveled by that same maneuver a day later and getting injured for the season or worse.

"...the last thing we need is a superstar quarterback endorsing illegal crack-back blocks."

Does anyone remember Bills TE Kevin Everett? He was left paralyzed after he tried to tackle former Denver Bronco's WR, Domenik Hixon. We don't need a repeat of something like this before we start rethinking the issue of player safety. Everett was a 6-4, 250 lb giant built like a defensive brute. It's absolutely mind boggling that somebody like Hixon (6-2, 180) could inflict that much damage on a guy his size.

And now we have players like Brett Favre who intentionally go out making illegal hit maneuvers in preseason games just to gain locker room credibility or for whatever reason he made the hit. Bottom line, the last thing we need is a superstar quarterback endorsing illegal crack-back blocks, which could potentially end a player like Eugene Wilson's career with a serious knee injury. Luckily, nothing happened, but it's as much the fans' responsibility to voice their opinions about these issues as it is the players.' The more scrutiny the NFL receives, the quicker they'll be to react to solve what could be a life threatening situation in the near future. Kudos to Carson Palmer for bringing up the issue.

Shawne Merriman Chokes Tila Tequila - "Lights On," Mug Shot Please

Just when we thought all is finally bright in the San Diego Chargers' locker room...Lights Out! Shawne Merriman does it again. Merriman was arrested Sunday Morning, September 6, 2009 for allegedly choking MTV, reality TV show star, Tila Tequila. Soon after, he was released, but it is unclear whether through bail or by his NFL status. Am I surprised the 25 year-old linebacker acted up again and choked Tila Tequila? Not at all. But hear me out on this one and, at least, try to acknowledge both sides.

"Disciplined Professional Football Player
vs.
Carefree Celebrity Girlfriend."

Honestly, did anyone actually think that Merriman would keep his cool before the season even started? It was practically a given that something like this would eventually occur, seeing how Hollywood relationships never seem to pan out when all is said and done. And here we have a perfect example of why woman like Tila Tequila, also known as Tila Nguyen, should stick to dating fellow MTV stars, who in my opinion, are better suited for her. Myself, I've only jumped in on one short snippet of her show, in fact, I don't even know the name of it. This is partly due to my general disinterest for the high school, drama-filled content of MTV shows. My point here is that Merriman should have known better when choosing a girlfriend. Let's bring this down to earth for a minute here -- Disciplined Professional Football Player vs. Carefree Celebrity Girlfriend. See the difference?

From my vague recollection of the TV show, I can recall Mrs. Tequila breaking down in tears over the most trivial matters. So, it wouldn't shock me if she's actually making a mockery of the Chargers' linebacker for her own personal motives. I mean, isn't her show off the air? It would only make sense for her to turn to the media via other means to regain the spotlight, hence the choking incident. Like they say, Tila, "No press is bad press."

Overall, I'm getting a bad wind out of all of this. Shawne Merriman could be innocent and he could be guilty. But the fact that he's had some baggage of the field in the past, makes him an easy target to go after if you're a publicity-craving celebrity, who also happens to be his girlfriend. If a hiccup ever were to occur in the relationship, do you honestly think Tequila would avoid the media altogether? My sources say, NO.

Let's pray Lights Out doesn't get suspended and that this doesn't disrupt the Chargers' locker room. San Diego has a good thing going for them this year with Merriman back from injury, and the last thing it needs is a distraction as outlandish as this.

College Football: Opening Week - Inexperience at QB Kills

The Syracuse Orangemen and the Oklahoma Sooners kicked off their College Football seasons Saturday, September 5, 2009. Both teams ended their outings with nail-biting thrillers that in turn became upsets. What made these losses even more dramatic is the fact that each team had a chance to seal the deal in the red zone come 4th quarter, or in the Orangemen's case OT, however, nerves got to their QBs.

Take Syracuse's Greg Paulus, for instance. He hadn't taken a snap in an official regular season game for what, five years? He showed some rust early on, but quickly made his presence felt after hitting Mike Williams with a 29-yd touchdown strike in the 1st quarter. But when it mattered most, the still-amateur Paulus cracked under the pressure. It was 3rd and goal at Minnesota's 5-yd line...

"...this one was in the books from the moment the ball left his hand."

(Prior to this field position, it's worth noting that Paulus led an impressive drive up the field with his poise and leadership in the huddle, despite just handing the ball off to his fellow running back, Delonte Carter, for 17 yards while throwing for only 3 yards.)

Getting back to the big picture, the Orangemen are at the Gopher's 5, and what happens next? Well, only the worst possible scenario to what looked to be Paulus' first career collegiate victory as a football quarterback -- he threw a pick. Adios amigo, this one was in the books from the moment the ball left his hand. Minnesota's Eric Ellestad kicked one through the uprights and Syracuse fell to 0-1 for the season.

"...there's no teaching experience, but with experience itself."

This was a rough start for Syracuse, a team that looked fairly in-sync, as far as team chemistry was concerned on the field. Yes, they had a new guy at quarterback. And yes, he may have played a significant role in the team's first loss this season. Know, however, that there's no teaching experience, but with experience itself. I'll let you chew on that for a moment. You can't blame Greg Paulus solely because of his lack of know-how on the field quite yet. If this late-game heartbreaker trend ensues game after game, then we'll talk. As for now, understand there comes a time when every team needs to fill a void left behind by a starter from the previous season. College athletes are not meant to play the game forever. At one point or another, you need a new guy fresh off the bench, fresh off the fields of their high school glory days, or in Paulus' case, fresh off the hardwood after playing four years of point guard at Duke. So then, how can we put the blame squarely on Paulus' arm and decision-making? Can't we cut him some slack? After all, every new guy has a learning curve. What we need to examine and critique next is how that learning curve plays out.

p.s. Who is Landry Jones and is BYU for real?