It looked like Andre Johnson ‘Eagled’ himself (i.e. – signed a ‘big’ contract as a young player that turned out to be way under-market).

His initial rookie contract was 6-year/$39M, which I think was dead-on considering he was out for 10 games due to injury during this period.  He signed a 6-year/$60M extension in 2007 (he ended up out for seven games the year after signing the contract).  He has since exploded for 100+ receptions and 1500+ yards each of the past two years.  However, he has never recorded double digit TDs in any season.  

 
Perspective A: We took a chance giving you a big new extension – you got injured the first year, and you didn’t start putting up monster numbers (to warrant the size of the extension) until after you got the extension.  Also, you don’t put up the TD numbers to classify as a Top 3 receiver (which is I’m sure how he wants to get paid).  You’ve got a good contract – deal w/ it.
 
Perspective B: You started putting up huge numbers b/c we ditched that loser David Carr and got a real QB in Matt Schaub.  Hell, when Matt Schaub went down in 2008-2009, you still put up huge numbers with Sage Freakin’ Rosenfels.  You’re clearly the go-to player on a high-power offense, so you deserve to get paid more.

Riddle me this: Do you have serious negotiations with Johnson?

Miller Genuine:

There’s lots of love floating around for the Jets this offseason.  Even Rex Ryan thought they weren’t going to make the playoffs last season, and now they’re supposedly a Super Bowl darling?  I know beating a mediocre Bengals team in the playoffs and catching a porous Chargers defense w/ its pants down will impress some people, but I think we should put away the anointing oil.
 
Look at the solid citizens from last year’s squad they jettisoned.  Look at the malcontents they’ve added to this year’s squad.  I smell something terrible brewing in the Meadowlands…

Jimmy from JERSEY, BABY!:

That terrible smell is the Giants.
 
But I agree with you. They completely purged a great team that gelled at the right moment to make a near Super run for a huddle full of strangers. Now they have more so-called premium talent on the roster but all of these additions have some more serious character flaw. The defense is enough to keep them in the hunt, but an 8-8 season would not surprise me in the least. I think they got too cute this off-season.
 
I’m all about trying to improve your team in the off-season to get over the hump; sometimes teams really are just a piece or two away. But tearing down half of your sturdy, well-built house to install a “totally sweet” sunroom (something that looks great in infomercials but just isn’t all that practical) doesn’t make too much sense. What’s that old saying? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Jets fixed’ed their team real nice.

Jets (favored by 3) at Bucs

Carl: Mark Sanchez sucks.  There, I said it.  Everyone was thinking it, and I just gave that thought a home.  Still, this is the Bucs–take the Jets.

Miller: I know bettors are worried Mark Sanchez being replaced by Kellen Clemens, but that might be a blessing in disguise.  The only way the Jets lose this game is by gift-wrapping the Bucs some turnovers (i.e. – Sanchez turns in one of his interceptionfests).  Expect the Jets’ #1 rush offense to take over and pound the bejeezus out of the Creamsicles.

Bill Simmons:  Bucs

Madden Simulator: Jets

Lions at Ravens (favored by 13.5)

Carl: Ravens.  Miller likes the Lions, but he’s an idiot.

Miller: I’m going to quit referring to the team from Baltimore as the Ravens and begin referring to them as the Enigmas.  In Week 8, they blew out a scorching hot Broncos team.  They have followed that w/ close losses to the Bengals & Colts, a nail-biter of a win over the Ben Roethslibergerless Steelers, and a beating at the hands of the Packers.  I think they’re done.  Take the Lions and the points.

BS: Ravens

MS: Lions

Dolphins at Jags (favored by 3)

Carl: Dolphins.  To WIN!

Miller: The Jaguars have surged by winning tight games over average teams.  I think the Dolphins look like another average team + the Jaguars look slightly ‘more ready for primetime’ than the Dolphins (who were inexpicably smoked by a rudderless Buffalo squad two weeks ago) right now.  Take the Jags

BS: Dolphins

MS: Fins (and to win)

Cardinals (favored by 3.5) at 49ers

Carl: Everybody likes the Cards.  Miller is about to go to Arizona on his hands and knees, just to kiss Kurt Warner’s ass.  So, why is the line only 3 1/2 point?  Carl smells a trap!  Vegas is trying to lure people into betting on the Cardinals.  And if there’s one thing that the Big Man has learned over the past thirteen weeks, it’s that Vegas is smarter than the rest of us.  I mean, they convince to bet, except they get an extra ten percent.  Niners to win, baby!

Miller: The Cards took down NFC-juggernaut Minnesota last week.  They’ll take down Minnesota-lite this weekend.  Take the Cards.

BS: Niners

MS: Niners

Titans at Colts (favored by 7)

Carl: After breaking the Texans’ will last week, the Colts will do the same to the Titans this week.  Vince Young will have his worst game of the season.  Colts to cover.

Miller: Vince Young must secretly be wearing a Texas Longhorns jersey under his Tennessee Titans jersey – the man is on fire.  The Titans have been feasting mostly on losers during their five-game winning, but winning breeds confidence and I think the Titans carry that confidence into an upset.  Take the Titans.

Bill Simmons: Titans

Madden Simulator: Colts

Lions at Bengals (favored by 13)

Carl: After a tough slog through the AFC North, the Bengals will feel like they’re in a bye week.  Bengals to cover the massive point spread.

Miller: Sorry, the ‘fearsome’ new Lions logo doesn’t strike fear into Bengal Tigers.  Cincy to cover.

Bill Simmons: Bengals

Madden Simulator: Bengals

Saints (favored by 9 1/2) at Redskins

Carl: The Redskins have played well on the defensive side of the ball over the last few weeks.  That whiny prick Will (who never shuts up about his aches & pains) says that the weather in Washington is supposed to be lousy, and that this could put the clamps on the Saints’ O.  Will is an idiot, and the Saints will cover.

Miller: Snow game, baby!  The dome-home Saints aren’t ready for the winter weather.  Take the Redskins in a monster upset.

Simmons: Redskins

MS: Saints

Eagles (favored by 5 1/2) at Falcons

Carl: Yeah, I know that the Falcons have two of their big guns out.  Big Carl says, “Big Deal!”  The Eagles are missing Brian Westbroke and that little Ted Ginn wannabe.  Falcons to win outright, baby!

Miller: The Falcons beat bad teams and lose to good one.  Sadly, I think the Eagles are a good team.  Take the Iggles to cover.

BS: Falcons

MS: Eagles

Once, again, Carl reigns supreme!  My picks are back on track.  Here is how last week went down:

1) Big Carl: 2-1-1

2) Miller Genuine: 1-2-1

3) Butt Simmons: 0-3-1

3) Madden Simulator: 0-3-1

Our year to date:

1) Madden Simulator: 25-20-3

2) Simmons: 26-21-1

3) Miller: 23-24-1

4) Comeback Carl(!): 19-28-1

Browns at Bengals (favored by 13)

Miller: After losing to the Raiders, I’m betting the Bengals are thinking along the same line as Beale from ‘Network.’ Take the Bengals

Carl: Every Sunday, I stare at the clouds and shout, “Why God, Why!?!?  How can Eric Mangini still a have a job?”  Until that loser is back where he belongs, making copies, can we truly say there’s a God out there?  Not a just God. Bengals.

Bill Simmons: Bengals

Madden Simulator: Bengals

Panthers at Jets (favored by 3)

Miller: This one looks like the Interception Bowl.  If John Fox gets half a brain and ride DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers should win this one outright as the Jets have had trouble finishing games at home this season.

Carl: Lemme tell you, in the AFC East, there’s no team I hate more than the Jets.  Except the Patriots.  Anyway, take the Jets.

BS: Panthers

MS: Panthers (and to win)

Jags at 49ers (favored by 3)

Miller: The Jags have been winning bruising games against crappy teams, and the 49ers having been losing bruising games against good teams.  My only prediction for this one: Pain. (And the 49ers to cover)

Carl: Alex Smith has seven interceptions and thirteens.  That’s good, except that he’s only played for half of this season.  Still, this game is basically  toss-up, and Miller is right for a change.  49ers.

BS: Jaguars

MS: Jaguars

Cards at Titans (favored by 3)

Miller: The Titans have been feasting on average teams.  It’s time for them to play a good one.  The Titans have been lit up by strong passing attacks this year, and I expect the Cards to do the same – Cards for the win.

Carl: The Cardinals, as always, are pleased to get away from that geriatric home they call a city.  Cardinals to win!

BS: Titans

MS: Cardinals (and to win)

Who’s the head of the leaderboard now?  I think Vegas should be, because we are getting whipped.  I guess there aren’t many of us who can gamble on sports for a living (or have a crappy movie made about it).

Week #11:

1) Miller Genuine: 2-2

2) Big Carl: 2-2

3) Madden Simulator: 1-3

4) Bill Simmons: 1-3

Total:

1) Madden Simulator: 25-17-2

2) Bill Simmons: 26-18

3) Miller Genuine: 22-22

4) Big Carl: 17-27

Dolphins at Panthers (favored by 3)

Miller:  Last week, the Dolphins lost Ronnie Brown for the season – which means they lost the best quarterback on the team.  Take the Panthers.

Carl: Miami!  Miller & I made these picks last Thursday, and it’s fitting that my guys are going to put me on the road back to prosperity.

Madden Simulator: Panthers

Bill Simmons: Panthers

Cardinals (favored by 9) at Rams

Miller: The Rams look like they are turning the corner and are on the verge of becoming a mediocre team.  Too bad that’s not enough to beat the Cardinals and Kurt Warner who still feels like he leads ‘The Greatest Show on Turf’ whenever he’s at the Edward Jones Dome.  Cards.

Carl: Cards!  The Rams are the worst team in football.  Yes, I include the Browns in that.

Madden Simulator: Cardinals

Bill Simmons: Rams

Bengals (favored by 9.5) at Raiders

Miller:  Another impossible AFC West home game to pick…ugh.  I have no more faith in Bruce Gradkowski than in JaMarcus Russell, but the Bengals have struggled after big wins this year.  Take the Raiders to cover.

Carl: Miller, you’ve been drinking too much of that fruit-laden beer that you like so much.  Take the Bengals, and drink a real man’s beer–Old Style, if you can find it.

Madden Simulator: Bengals

Bill Simmons: Bengals

Titans (favored by 4.5) at Texans

Miller: Weird things happen on Monday Night – like having a 3-6 team favored over a 5-4 home team.  I know the Titans are a hot 3-6 team, but the Texans are coming off of a tough loss to the Colts and a bye week.  If the Texans want to recapture some momentum to make the playoffs, they know it must start today.  Texans for the win.

Carl: Wow, Miller and I agree.  Texans to win.

Madden Simulator: Texans to win.

Bill Simmons: Titans

Hey there,  sports fans.  Carl is not feeling so big anymore, after a week on a bologna & cereal budget.  Why is Carl off stone crabs & those delicious Cuban sandwiches?  Here you go:

Week #8:

1) Madden Simulator: 4-0

2) Sports Dude: 2-2

3) Miller Genuine: 1-3

4) Carl: 0-4

Week #9:

1) Miller Genuine: 2-2

2) Madden Simulator: 1-2-1

3) Sports Guy: 1-3

4) Carl: 0-4

Week #10

1) Madden Simulator: 2-2

1) Sports Guy: 2-2

3) Miller Genuine: 1-3

4) Carl: 0-4

Total:

1) Madden Simulator: 24-14-2

2) Sports Guy: 25-15

3) Miller Genuine: 20-20

4) Sports Carl: 15-25

Poster held up by a Browns fan last night in the Browns-Ravens game last night: “Cleveland Browns: rebuilding since 1964″

In case you were wondering which fan this was, he was the one in section 37.