Smug and Disorderly Conduct

by Ryan


It's been a week since the last Bills game we all had the pleasure to endure. I think it's about time we start talking about some football again.

Let's start with some news from the police blotter: Anthony Hargrove is $300 lighter after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct. No word on whether he will have to pay for the officer's eyeglasses, but I think Anthony should at least throw in a roll of duct tape.

"It's another thing I can finally get to put behind me," Hargrove said outside court. "I really now get the focus on football.

Hopefully he will start to put some offensive linemen behind him as well.


In case you were in a MNF-induced exile from sports this week, yesterday The Smug Bowl took place in Dallas. I tried to do a bit of research on the game, but couldn't read much more of this article after the author called Wade Phillips "whimsical." To be honest, I couldn't stop laughing.

The entire premise that Dallas was anywhere near the Patriots was just absolutely ridiculous. After a weak schedule and barely getting by a banged up Bills team, I know I wasn't the only one who thought Wade and Jerry's boys were in way over their heads.

Thankfully, Dreamboat Brady and the Pats went into Irving and melted some faces. I never thought I would actually type that sentence out, but you know if it ended anywhere near the spread we would still be hearing about the Great Tony Romo and his undying poise, which always keeps his team in the game.

Did anyone actually see Wade's postgame press conference? He looked like a chubby schoolboy being reprimanded by a nun. I don't think he ever actually looked up the entire time, and kept bowing his head in shame repeating "we have to get better, we have to get better." Either Jerry had just finished rapping his knuckles with a ruler, or he knew Mrs. Phillips wouldn't be making victory pudding that night.

Overall I was pleased by the games results. No one died in the impending Smug Storm, and it sets up a potential showdown with Indy in a few weeks. It also ensured the Cowboys fan behind me last week is still somewhere screaming about "TO Territory." I'm sure that guy's popcorn is nice and salty.

Eight Divisions in Eight Days: NFC East

By Chris

The Roost's NFL Football Preview begins today and I know how much you all have been waiting for this one. Each day, I'll tackle each of the eight divisions and give what insight I think I have into each team's upcoming season. Today I'll be taking a look at the NFC East.

1. Philadelphia Eagles
Well someone has to win this division, so it might as well be the Iggles. This of course, is contingent on the health of Donovan McNabb. They've got a real good offense and a stingy and consistent defense. Sure they've gotten rid of Dahani Jones and Jeremiah Trotter, but they've still got Brian Dawkins, one of the league's best safeties and Lito Sheppherd, who isn't half bad. What it comes down to is that someone has to win this division and the Eagles, when healthy, seem to be best equipped to do so.

2. Dallas Cowboys
I was going to pick the Cowboys to win the East. I really was. But then I remembered who their coach is. Our old friend Wade Phillips was too good to wear a headset when he coached the Bills, and while I think the 'Boys offense is going to put up some sick numbers, I have a feeling that they're going to be losing a helluva lot of close games. Phillips is not a good head coach. He botched the entire Doug Flutie/Rob Johnson situation and split an entire fanbase here in Buffalo because of that controversy. Flutie Magic or not, if I was a Cowboys fan, I just wouldn't trust this guy running my team. Yeah, he's a really good coordinator; he got the most out of his players in San Diego, but he's going to be making all of the crucial decisions and I can guarantee that he'll be wrong more often than he'll be right. So look for them losing some tight games in the fourth quarter and those losses ultimately costing them a Wild Card berth.

3. Washington Redskins
Jason Campbell is the starting quarterback. The defense underachieved last year, but it won't be good enough to compensate for an inexperienced quarterback. The Portis-Betts combo, which they'll have to rely on because of a potentially shaky passing game, won't last long. And as I look into the crystal ball, I see some very amusing press conferences from Portis taking thinly veiled shots at Joe Gibbs and Al Saunders for making him share the ball. He wants to be the featured back but with the emergence of Betts, he might lose a lot of carries, especially those going across the goal line. Combine that controversy with a not-so-talented team, and you're looking at a 6 win season.

4. New York Giants
Couple a flaky starting quarterback with a running back that can't hang onto the football and you're looking at a team in trouble. The defense is nothing special and neither is the offense really when you look at it. The players don't like their coach and it won't be very long before they quit on him and we have to listen to a Coughlin meltdown. And then it will be all over SportsCenter and then we can all listen to Tiki Barber tell us all he was right. Who says the offseason is too long?