a tale of 3 suspensions
Just a quick check of the dipstick on 3 teams with high-profile starters serving significant suspensions. By "dipstick" I mean using SI.com's Dr. Z's power rankings for (post) week 2. It's also a reference to "the Dr's" startling admission (see #24) that he poured water into a car's crank-case thinking it was a radiator, causing complete engine failure, as well as a drop of several points in my esteem rating. C'mon ... THIS IS FOOTBALL!!
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Tennessee Titans
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by definition a 1-1 team has room for improvement, but the 1 loss was a close one to the Colts. Maybe a big kick return or interception by Jones would've put them over the top. At #9, clearly not devastating, but it looks like PacMan hurt his team, if not as much as various members of the public.
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Chicago Bears
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Rounding out the top 10, a little lower than expected. This is entirely due to their offense: namely that it's the same as last year's ... without Thomas Jones. Defensively, the Bears' decision to make Tank Johnson's suspension permanent appears to be validated. OTOH I expect him to help his new team The Cowboys, esp. he's given a couple weeks off his 8-week suspension for good behavior.
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Atlanta Falcons
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Dead last at #32. Might they have kept QB Matt Schaub had Vick answered the team's owner truthfully when first asked if he had any involvement in you-know-what?
Special mention must go to the Giants, who come in at #31. I think this is a somewhat unfair, reactionary placement, but for as far as they and their hopes have fallen, they might as well be #33. Though they've steered clear of any major disciplinary issues, the seeds for this sorry season were sown IMHO when they inexplicably renewed Coughlin's contract after last season.
