The Football Diner Big Top 5
Father Jamieson Delivers Festive Gifts to the NFL
by Jody Jamieson
24/12/2007
 
It's Christmas!! Christmas time tends to be about the kids of the world getting excited about Santa coming down the chimney to give them lots of presents. But what of those in the NFL who are struggling to get into the festive spirit? What do we get them for Christmas? This Week JJ plays Santa for the great and good of the NFL, and Top Fives gives out the perfect presents for those less fortunate.
 
5. DeAngelo Hall - The gift of new surroundings.
 
When poor little DeAngelo wrote his list to Santa this year, he was an unhappy boy. With his team struggling and Bobby Petrino fining him $100,000 for going crazy against Carolina, Hall was a bit miffed. When Petrino let Grady Jackson go, Hall was losing patience. And when Petrino walked out without even acknowledging his old players, Hall was positively seething.
Number 21 has always been bad for letting his emotions get the better of him. He can never be accused of being diplomatic when something is on his mind. He was the first to kick up a big fuss when Grady Jackson was cut, and of course, was not exactly complimentary - and rightly so - about Petrino's departure.
 
For Christmas I would like to give DeAngelo Hall a nice trade to pastures new. I know the Falcons would miss him, but I think it's best for everyone concerned if Hall moves on. As for where I would like to send him, I really would like to see him improving the Saints terrible secondary.
 
4. Lovie Smith - The gift of offensive talent.
 
Lovie Smith has had a hard year. After reaching the Super Bowl in February, things went horribly wrong. Rex Grossman spontaneously combusted. Cedric Benson ran soft before getting injured and the other Adrian Peterson hasn't been up to much. The offensive line has struggled and the wide outs seem to have a bad case of agoraphobia. Maybe I'm about to be overly harsh about the offense, but I would suggest part of the reason that the Bears defense has found it a little tough was because of the fact the offense can't seem to put together long drives to give them a rest. Maybe that's an excuse, but maybe it's a factor.
 
Switching between the Cleveland-Cincy game and the red button game on Sky on Sunday, I turned onto the Packers-Bears game just in time to see Green Bay give the ball to Kyle Orton and the spluttering offense on the GB 9 yard line. What a gift! Unfortunately the Bears could punch it in despite going for it on third down and again coming up short. Just about sums up the Bears who can't see to turn great field position into something positive.
 
For Smith, I would like to give him something to smile about on offense. Perhaps he could get a new running back, or maybe a big play receiver. If all fails maybe Santa could shore up his offensive line to at least give his runners some room and his quarterback some protection.
 
3. Donovan McNabb - The gift of appreciation.
 
Donovan McNabb was a tortured soul when he sent his letter off this year. After thinking he was the chosen one in Philadelphia, the draft comes round and with their first pick, the Eagles chose quarterback Kevin Kolb. Alarm bells started ringing. Then after struggling in his first couple of games, the natives began to turn on McNabb. A perfect passer rating against the Lions later and everything seemed right in the world. But after being destroyed by the Giants there was trouble ahead.
 
When he got injured and missed the Patriots game, A.J. Feeley stepped in, and put in a steady performance, till throwing to Asante Samuel in the endzone. Some fans commented that McNabb couldn't have kept the Eagles in touch with the Patriots the way that Feeley did. Those thoughts were quickly forgotten as Feeley had an absolute nightmare against the Seahawks. Seattle simply put Lofa Tatupu in Feeley's eye line and was good for three interceptions. Feeley was bad for looking exactly where he was going to throw and Tatupu picked it up easily and left the door open for McNabb to take over the controls again.
 
After two solid performances in victories at Dallas and New Orleans, as an Eagles fan, I would be disappointed if McNabb was to leave in the off-season. He has shown in flashes this season what he is capable of, and now that he seems back to full health, he is making plays with his feet again, which has been a big miss this year.
 
For Christmas I would love to give McNabb the gift of appreciation from the Philly fans. I hope to see him return in 08.
 
2. Cam Cameron - The gift of time.
 
The Big Tuna has arrived in Miami, but it may mean a swift departure for Cameron. Without having to go into too much detail on a disastrous year for the Dolphins, Cameron has come in for a bit of stick. In his defense if he goes onto be a success, he wouldn't be the only coach to struggle badly in his first season at the helm. Even the incoming Parcells could only muster three wins as a rookie Head Coach.
 
For Christmas this year I would like to give Cameron the gift of time. Parcells is likely to want to bring in his own coaching staff in, and despite a disastrous year for Miami, perhaps Cameron deserves a chance to at least put it right.
 
1. Arthur Blank - The gift of trust.
 
Out of everyone, Arthur Blank has had a torturous 2007. First Michael Vick, then Bobby Petrino and then Bill Parcells. All three of these guys told Blank one thing before totally going back on their word and stabbing him in the back. First Vick told Blank he wasn't involved in the Bad News Kennelz investigation, before eventually coming clean when he was as good as caught red handed. Then Petrino walked out and took the Arkansas job less than 24 hours after Blank talked up Petrino and revealed the Falcons long term plan to the nation on Monday Night Football. And last but not least Bill Parcells used the Falcons to get more money out of the Dolphins to be their next Vice President of General Managing of all the Footbally Decision Making Processes... thing.
 
Arthur has tried to be a good boy this year. Despite his probable suspicions he has always tried to take people by their word and be a nice, trusting owner in an era of cut throat businessman. But as the year has gone on Blank has been made to look sillier and sillier by people he trusted who clearly had their own agendas to look after. I hope that 2008 is a more prosperous year for Arthur Blank. From how he comes across on TV, you wouldn't wish such trouble and strife on someone so likeable. For Christmas I would like to give him some trustworthy staff and players to make 2008 a much better year.
 
The Big Football Diner Top Fives Special Christmas Trivia Question
 
(or TBFDTFSCTQ for short) No questionable call this week. Instead an interesting trivia question. I will reveal the answer at the end of the piece.
There have been 12 undrafted quarterbacks who have started a game in the NFL this season. How many can you name?
 
Interesting Facts
 
JaMarcus Russell threw his first touchdown pass in the NFL, but only after he threw his first 3 interceptions as the Jacksonville Jaguars destroyed Oakland. Russell went 7/23 and posted a 17.4 passer rating.
 
Sticking with passer rating and Ben Roethlisberger had a perfect 158.3 passer rating against the Rams on Thursday night. On the night Hines Ward passed John Stallworth for most receiving yards as a Steeler and Issac Bruce moved into 3rd place all time in receiving yards, trailing only Tim Brown and the great Jerry Rice.
 
And Finally....
 
I commented when I did my NFC predictions a few weeks ago that the Seahawks could be a real dark horse in the play-offs, and nothing I have seen since has changed my mind. Matt Hasselbeck looks excellent right now, and their defense is making plays on a regular basis. With Green Bay looking awful against the Panthers and the Cowboys having a few injury worries, what odds on Seattle representing the NFC in the Superbowl? Anything can happen in the NFL, and I would write the Hawks off at your peril.
 
If the Seahawks were to make the Superbowl and play the Patriots, it would probably be the most pass happy Superbowl in history, and while I believe that the Packers and Cowboys are probably more equipped to give the Pats something to think about, it doesn't necessarily mean they will beat Seattle. If it is Washington than makes the play-offs, they would be going to Qwest Field on Wild Card Weekend, and not a lot of people would fancy them to win. Then it would be Green Bay at Lambeau, and while the conditions would suit Brett Favre more than Matt Hasselbeck, remember than Hasselbeck backed up Favre for a few years in Green Bay. It will certainly be an interesting match-up if it works out as such.
And absolutely finally, I would like to wish all Diner readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
 
The Big Football Diner Top Fives Special Christmas Trivia Question Answer
(or TBFDTFSCTQA for short)
Brock Berlin (Rams), Jake Delhomme (Panthers), Jeff Garcia (Bucs), Quinn Gray (Jags), Shaun Hill (49ers), Kelly Holcomb (Vikings), Damon Huard (Chiefs), Jon Kitna (Lions), Cleo Lemon (Dolphins), Matt Moore (Panthers again), Tony Romo (Cowboys) and Kurt Warner (Cardinals).