NFL Power Rankings: Week 5

2008 Power Rankings: Week 5
	RK (Last week)	TEAM	REC	COMMENT
	1 (1)	Giants	4-0-0	The Giants are just steamrolling teams right now, and Manning is making any reciever look good, 44 without Plax?
	2 (7)	Redskins	4-1-0	4-1 and already played all 3 road division games. This team, and more importantly Jason Campbell, look to be for real.
	3 (2)	Titans	5-0-0	A quarterback controversy is not what you need at 5-0, but Kerry Collins did nothing to help his cause.
	4 (3)	Cowboys	4-1-0	This team looks like it’s losing confidence fast. Going into Arizona will be a huge test of character.
	5 (6)	Panthers	4-1-0	34-0, job done there, now a massive game in Tampa. Win that, and the division is surely theirs to lose.
	6 (4)	Steelers	4-1-0	Even with the injuries, they went into Jacksonville and won. This team is a contender.
	7 (5)	Bills	4-1-0	A timely bye week, they need a healthy Edwards back as JP will just not cut it.
	8 (11)	Broncos	4-1-0	So they do play defense…
	9 (13)	Bears	3-2-0	I love this team’s character, and Kyle Orton is 3-2… Just don’t read anything into that 334 yard performance against Detroit
	10 (15)	Patriots	3-1-0	A loss against San Fran could have killed their season. Brady may be gone, but they’re still 3-1.
	11 (8)	Bucs	3-2-0	Huge game on Sunday, Brian Griese needs to get this offense in order and start putting up the points again.
	12 (11)	Jaguars	2-3-0	I just don’t think this team has what it takes any more, they have to beat Denver.
	13 (10)	Eagles	2-3-0	Hard to believe this team started 2-0. McNabb needs to once again put this team on his shoulders
	14 (9)	Chargers	2-2-0	How much longer can we hold this team in high regard? LT can’t run if there aren’t any holes.
	15 (14)	Colts	1-2-0	That win told us nothing positive about the Colts. Baltimore’s defense could prove a large problem
	16 (16)	Ravens	2-2-0	This team should be 3-1 and challenging Pittsburgh for the division lead. What a horrible call by the refs. Props to Harbraugh though.
	17 (20)	Carinals	3-2-0	You sort of expected that rebound from Warner… Which means you sort of expect another turnover-fest against Dallas
	18 (23)	Falcons	3-2-0	Time to stop condescending this team and admit that they’re here to play.
	19 (26)	Dolphins	2-2-0	Can you say most exciting offense in the NFL?
	20 (17)	Saints	2-3-0	When is this team going to stop feeling sorry for themselves and win the close ones? You make your own luck.
	21 (18)	Packers	2-3-0	Injuries are killing this team, and it’s sad to see.
	22 (19)	Jets	2-2-0	The week of rest has allowed Favre to get even more in sync with this offense. The Bengals could be in trouble
	23 (22)	Vikings	1-3-0	Well they’re off the mark, but is it too little too late?
	24 (21)	49ers	2-3-0	It really doesn’t get any easier after that loss to New England.
	25 (25)	Browns	1-3-0	Bye week over and done with, now we will see what this team is made of… against the Giants.
	26 (24)	Seahawks	1-3-0	Recievers are starting to return but now Hasselbeck out? Could be a sad end to Holmgren’s tenure.
	27 (27)	Raiders	1-3-0	The teams playing hard, they aren’t far from being respected again but how on earth can firing Kiffin help that progress?
	28 (29)	Texans	0-4-0	That was plain embarassing.
	29 (30)	Bengals	0-5-0	They’re still playing hard, but without Palmer it just doesnt get any easier.
	30 (28)	Chiefs	1-4-0	Followed a division win with a total of 0 points against Carolina. Now that’s backbone
	31 (31)	Lions	0-4-0	They’re doing their best to stake a claim as “Worst team in the league”
	32 (32)	Rams	0-4-0	Does anyone think Haslett’s promotion will mean anything?

10 years at Freedman’s Palace

Freedman scores to save Palace

In a summer which has become known for the disloyal nature of certain players (step forward Master Bostock) it was a welcome relief to celebrate ten years of service for Mr Crystal Palace, Douglas Freedman Esq.

As an Eagles fan myself I felt the need to give my own take on a player who has defined a generation. During his two periods at the club he’s experienced the high of promotion to the Premier League coupled with relegation from it, and also saved the club from third tier football on that afternoon at Edgeley Park, Stockport in May 2001.

So lets start from the beginning, September 1995. After impressing at Third Division Barnet with 27 goals in 47 games Dougie was snapped up by Steve Coppell. It was to be the following season that we witnessed what he was made of.

After putting the disappointment of the previous season’s playoff final defeat behind them, Palace returned to Wembley to beat Sheffield United following David Hopkin’s final minute goal. As a fan of course this moment takes precedence, however, the moment I remember involves the man himself.

Being ruled out of the final of any competition is a blow to any player. This being the case Dougie entered the fray against Wolves in the semi-final first leg knowing that even if his goals fired us into the final he wouldn’t actually get to take the field on the day. Knowing this, what followed was even more spectacular.

Playoff joy

The game went into the final minute deadlocked at 1-0; Freedman then entered the fray. He lobbed the stranded keeper with his second goal; the first was something special though. Finding himself with space on the edge of the box, 25 yards out, he did what he does best…scored with style! To be precise it was a measured volley, one of the best goals I’ve seen in my lifetime at Selhurst, confirming my adoration for the man from Glasgow.

Achieving promotion with Palace was a great feat but he was quickly on the move enjoying spells with both Wolves and Forest but this wasn’t to be.

Much to our surprise and obvious amazement he re-signed for us in 2000.

What happened next is what how Palace fans will remember Dougie for years to come.

Looking relegation fodder for much of the season going into our final two games we needed two wins. Fratton Park, Portsmouth was our first destination in what to this day is one of my proudest moments as a Palace fan. Both teams were fighting for their lives in the nether regions of the First Division. A sold-out away end saw a deserved 4-2 win for Palace, Freedman grabbing a memorable brace.

That goal!

Going into the final game we still had it all to do but there he was again. 87^th minute, Hopkin’s ‘hand of god’, Freedman’s run and shot, Palace fans partying in the greatest escape in the club’s history, avoiding relegation by 3 minutes.

This is how I for one will remember (Sir) Dougie. Saving us from the brink when we looked like we were gone.

He wasn’t finished there though as he went on to form a formidable partnership with Clinton Morrison, sharing over 40 goals between them the following season, earning him a first cap and goal for Scotland.

Later in his Palace career he reached a century of goals for the club, notching his 100^th and 101^st goals away to bitter rivals Brighton in what again will go down in the folklore of the club.

So here’s to hoping there’s many more like Freedman in the years to come (Messrs Moses, Scannell, Hills), not abandoning the club like Bostock and Routledge have done in times past.

New Balaban?

The new big man at Villa Park?

One name that is never far from the pages and pages of football gossip each summer is the colossal 6-foot-7 Serbian striker Nikola Zigic.

Usually linked to Portsmouth it seems his arrival, which has been pending for three years now, has been blocked by the arrival of fellow giant Peter Crouch.

So where now I hear you ask? Well it’s widely believed he will be joining the legion of strikers at Villa Park linking up with manager Martin O’Neill, after an indifferent stint at Valencia.

After seeing that Villa were the favourites to sign the big Serbian it made me think of the repercussions were he to go there. Both Zigic and current target man John Carew are no stranger to a confrontation. Taking this into consideration it would be no surprise to see the man who’s dropped every week affecting the harmony within a squad who may even push for a Champions League place.

Then will be the obvious comparison that will be drawn with other Yugoslavs/Serbians who have failed in the past. Remember Bosko Balaban?

The £5.8million man, who earned £20,000 a week, took part seven times for the Midlands side never scoring a goal. Unsurprisingly he was released from his contract with the Villains ending up in Belgium with FC Bruges.

Any Villa fan will also find it hard to forget Savo Milosevic. Nicknamed ‘Miss-a-lot-evic’ for his record of 28 goals in 90 games he was shown the door after spitting in the direction of his own fans following a heavy defeat.

As a great admirer of Zigic it would be great to see the big man do well and he may well do playing in a three-pronged attack involving Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor. Though don’t be surprised to see him go the same way as Messrs Balaban and Milosevic.

Can a European finally win the USPGA?

Harrington celebtrates winning his second consecutive Claret Jug

After Padraig Harrington became the first European to retain the Claret Jug in more than a century it begs the question; Can a European now win a major in North America without the presence of Tiger?

The last man to achieve such a feat was Jose-Maria Olazábal almost 10 years ago when he took home the green jacket in 1999, the second time he became the Master’s champion, going down as one of the great European players in recent history. Now with a number of very successful Europeans playing on the PGA Tour in North America it could be time for someone to follow in Ole’s footsteps.

The final major, the USPGA Championship, is coming up in August and the possible European contenders are as follows.

Padraig Harrington

The obvious choice would be the Irishman who is currently one of the most successful European golfers in major championships. Although he will have to recover from the wrist injury which almost forced him to pull out of the Open at Birkdale if he’s to compete at Oakland Hills.

Current odds: 16/1

Sergio Garcia

The Spainiard was looking to make it a historic sporting treble for the Iberian country after the successes of Euro 2008 in football and Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon at Birkdale, but it wasn’t to be as he slipped to a disappointing 17 over par and tied for 51st place. Despite this he will be optimistic going into the USPGA where in the past he has come second and joint-third.

Current odds: 14/1

Lee Westwood

After adjusting his swing and under-going a strict fitness program the Englishman will hope to have a realistic chance at the course in Michigan. Westwood will take inspiration from his third place at this year’s US Open as he looks to win his first major.

Current odds: 22/1

Ian Poulter

The 32-year-old achieved his best finish in a major, finishing runner-up at Birkdale. He will look to build on this at Oakland Hills and gain a place in Nick Faldo’s Ryder Cup team with another top-ten finish.

Current odds: 33/1

Henrik Stenson

Another impressive performer at Birkdale (tied 3rd), who plays on the PGA Tour. He will look to use this to his advantage going into the last major of the season.

Current odds: 28/1

Justin Rose

Last year’s European Order of Merit winner hasn’t had a good year thus far but will take heart from his performance last year in the upcoming tournament, where he was tied 12th.

Current odds: 30/1

Robert Karlsson

Finishing in the top-ten of each major so far this year is no mean feat putting him in good stead for the tournament at Oakland Hills.

Current odds: 40/1

Paul Casey
Tying seventh at Birkdale was his best finish in the Open Championship which will give him confidence going into USPGA.

Current odds: 40/1

Looking at the contenders Karlsson may be best-placed to make a challenge after being very impressive so far this year. Although it should be remembered that a European has never actually won the tournament but with Tiger out this is the best chance that European players may ever have.