A Class Act

What Mike Shanahan is doing to Donovan McNabb is horrendous. This man poured his heart and soul into this team. He’s given his all, but his all just isn’t enough when you only have two capable receivers. But this man has been a class act. He’s one of the most storied quarterbacks in this league, and Shanahan is benching him for who? Sexy Rexy Grossman?

Sure, Rex is a scrappy player. He puts hours upon hours into his craft; quite the gym rat really. But he’s no Donovan McNabb. He doesn’t have the pedigree. He hasn’t been there. And he certainly hasn’t done that.

Furthermore, who’s calling the shots in DC? McNabb just got a $78 million, although we’re not quite sure how much of it is really guaranteed. But the more and more we watch Shanahan, Donovan, and the ‘Skins, the more it appears they won’t all three be together next year. So is Daniel Snyder really as absentminded as we all think? I believe the answer is yes.

If you didn’t quite get the bit, you may want to watch this. Irregardless, here are my Week 15 NFL picks. Home teams in CAPS.

CHARGERS (-8.5) over Niners
Believe it or not, the Chargers are only one game out of the playoffs. In the words of Drake, “Better late than never, but never late is better.”

BENGALS (-1.5) over Browns
I almost wanted to pick Cleveland here, but I’m afraid Jake Delhomme will out-Palmer Carson Palmer. Or would that be Delhomme out-Delhomming Palmer?

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Rexy!

COWBOYS (-6.5) over Redskins
Is there anything more embarrassing than being benched twice in one season for Sexy Rexy? Maybe giving your quarterback $78 million after benching him once, then benching him again one month after the signing. And he won’t be a Redskin next year.

Texans (+1.5) over TITANS
The Titans just look awful. Vince Young looked like he was ready to go, but Jeff Fisher announced he was going on IR. Randy Moss is brooding on the bench, and Chris Johnson looks like Rudi Johnson. Texans AND the points? Yes, please.

COLTS (-4.5) over Jaguars
Here is another game where you really want to take the Jaguars, the sleeper team no one can possibly hold a grudge against. But this is the Colts. And this is the Jaguars. Jacksonville can usually keep these games close, but if Peyton Manning really is one of the best five quarterbacks in the league, he’ll will his team to victory today.

Chiefs (+1.5) over RAMS
Who would have ever guessed at the beginning of the year that this game would have any implications other than draft position?

Bills (+5.5) over DOLPHINS
This is a tough game to pick. Both teams are boring. Both teams have uninspiring quarterbacks. However, the Dolphins are the second worst scoring team and the Bills are a virile 23rd in the league.

BUCCANEERS (-6.5) over Lions
How did we not see this coming? Every year we say, “Okay, THIS is the year the last place NFC South team isn’t going to the playoffs!” And every year they end up going to the playoffs. So what does this tell us? The Panthers are going to take Andrew Luck #1 overall, and he will lead them to the playoffs. Speaking of the Panthers….

Cardinals (+2.5) over PANTHERS
I usually hate West teams coming East to essentially play a 10 AM game, but this is a different case. The Panthers really, really, really want the first overall pick (although I don’t know how much John Fox actually cares). Also, remember the last time Arizona came to Charlotte?

RAVENS (-2.5) over Saints
In a potential Super Bowl preview, we’ll see a slight finesse dome team go into frigid Baltimore to play a smashmouth angry Ravens team. This will be close, it will come down to the wire, but I’ll take the team with Ray Lewis at home.

Eagles (+2.5) over GIANTS
The Eagles have won five straight against the Giants. Its hard to win five games in a row against the Bills! Michael Vick no prisoners, and he will run across this tough Giants’ D.

Falcons (-6.5) over SEAHAWKS
As I’ve said many a time, the Seahawks win at home. But at the same time, Matty Ice doesn’t lose games to losing teams. This one won’t be too close.

STEELERS (-6.5) over Jets
Mark Sanchez has a 49% completion percentage against winning teams. That should be enough to tell you how this one will end up. If Sanchez can’t pass, the Jets will need to run. Good news, the Steelers have the best run defense by nearly 400 yards, holding the opposition to 2.9 yards per carry. Better prepare some good excuses, Rex!

Broncos (+6.5) over RAIDERS
This isn’t as much about how much faith I have in Tim Tebow as much as how little faith I have in the Raiders. That being said, I think the Broncos will get up for their interim coach and brand new starting QB. It happened with the Cowboys, it happened with the Vikings, it will happen with the Broncos.

PATRIOTS (-10.5) over Packers
Have you seen Tom Brady recently? 19 TDs and 0 picks since Week 7. He has no big name receivers, yet he makes it work with Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Danny Woodhead, BenJarvus Green-Ellis (4 names are better than 2), Brandon Tate, and 2 rookie tight ends. This man is better in snow than any quarterback is in a dome! Oh, and have you seen Matt Flynn? Ugh! This is your Bojangles’ Lock o’ the Week!

Bears (-3.5) over VIKINGS
I don’t know if you’ve seen Tarvaris Jackson, but he looks pretty dreadful. Like Sexy Rexy or David Carr may be an upgrade. It’s pretty turrible.

Last Week: 8-8

Season: 89-92

Bojangles Lock o’ the Week: 10-3