Could Not Leave Fox Rankings Alone...

[BroncoFanDoug]

Don't know if you saw Fox Sports power rankings or their lame explanation of why the Broncs are ranked 12 behind fins, chiggers and jagwads, but I could not leave well enough alone, and sent them the follow response. Comments welcome.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5003748

Your Power Ranking strategy is obviously really stupid. And your explanation is just as idiotic.

The Broncos are 3 and 1 against teams that are ranked above them, and they have a better record.

Denver has a far better record against a tougher schedule than Miami, but your logic for why Miami is higher ranked is that they beat Denver. So explain why Jacksonville (who Denver walloped in Jacksonville) and San Diego (who Denver also beat) are ranked higher?

You explain "The problem is that you can't pretend that the Week 1 loss did not happen", but obviously you can pretend that Miami is not 2 and 3?! You can tell it like it is - "Denver fans need to consider that their team has some very clear flaws" - but obviously a 500 SD team is flawless.

Instead of trying to justify this, why don't you just admit that your cool system has some fatal flaws and move on.

No mispelled curse words here! But I'm sure you don't have the guts to print a well thought out discussion of the very obvious problems with your logic. Must be lots easier to have one-way conversations.

See you this year at the SB!

[RhymesayersDU]

That is not a well thought out discussion.

You start off by providing no insight to your position, just slinging insults.

After your insults, you still don't really provide a rebuttal except to look at records. I don't know too much about the Fox stuff, but it's my understanding that there are many different things that go into the equation to determine rankings, and you ignore all of them except record.

[Broncoman13]

I liked it brah... F*** them and the their DVOS bull$H!*

[BroncoFanDoug]

That is not a well thought out discussion.

You start off by providing no insight to your position, just slinging insults.

After your insults, you still don't really provide a rebuttal except to look at records. I don't know too much about the Fox stuff, but it's my understanding that there are many different things that go into the equation to determine rankings, and you ignore all of them except record.

Disagree (of course, I wrote it!). Read the Fox article - especially at the bottom. They try to explain how their system could put the Broncs where they do. If you understand how their explanation answers my questions I'd love to hear it.

[Crushaholic]

College football depends on rankings. Pro football...just win. I don't think there is a need to waste your energy complaining about something that is meaningless. It's interesting to follow, but it's meaningless.

[Atlas]

SoCals link; http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/dr_z/10/19/ranks.week7/index.html

NFL Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
1 1 Indianapolis Colts (6-0)
I say this seriously. They'll be at Houston Sunday, and unless they go into the game in a frame of mind different from the one in which they approached the Rams contest, they're going to get beaten. Provided the lowly Texans decide to play hard. Now just imagine if I have called this right? This would be the upset of the century. Bettors from seven continents, including Antarctica, would be toasting me with '45 Lafite. I could write my own ticket. (One way to Parsippany, please).
2 4 Denver Broncos (5-1)
Against the Patriots they found the long ball. It was disguised as a salami.
3 10 Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
I've neglected them long enough. They beat good teams. They belong here. I've wondered for a while about 250-pound Greg Jones, who brings the heavy hammers when he runs. Why, until last Sunday, has he been neglected? Then I saw him try to pick up a blitzing James Harrison. Ole, toro! And squish goes the QB. Oh, comma, I see.
4 2 Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
How do I rank thee? Let me count the ways. With or without Big Ben? They're two different teams, of course.
5 5 Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)
I've been reading up on sports hernias and you know something? I think I once had a business hernia.
6 3 New England Patriots (3-3)
I'm trying to think of how the return of Tedy Bruschi will help the most obvious weakness, the secondary. Duane Starks, the right corner, is what is known as a coach breaker. Gets beaten deep, then enters the backpedal mode, keeping everything in front of him and allows all manner of short to midrange completions. One of the easiest ways to lose is to go with a corner like that. But the poor Pats are down to the jayvees now. I would guess that Tedy's major contribution would be to get heavily involved in the rush scheme, to give enemy QBs a more stressful day. Other suggestions will be welcomed by coach Belichick in Foxboro.
7 7 Dallas Cowboys (4-2)
They should have beaten the Giants by 20. Instead they tried to hand the game away, but New York wouldn't take it. I still say their passing attack can be big league, but I don't think they can out score the Seahawks on the Coast.
8 9 San Diego Chargers (3-3)
San Diego at Philly is my game of the week because it'll answer so many questions. Is there something structurally wrong with the Eagles defense, or is it still able to calm down a flashy attack? What kind of shape is McNabb in -- really? Will CBS decide to pre-empt the game and switch to something that interests them more, or will they just let us watch the contest in peace? This last one has me terrified, as usual.
9 6 Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
Here's why I lowered them three notches after they beat the Saints: Thirty-one first downs, 456 yards, 31 points, and those aren't Atlanta's figures I'm giving you.
10 11 Cincinnati Bengals (5-1)
I guess everyone's in a tizzy over their dynamic clash coming up with the Steelers. But if Tommy Maddox returns, then the tizzy won't be so fizzy. I picked Cincy in this one only because it's at home. Lame, I know, but how many times can you read, "Just on a hunch?"
11 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
I've been treating them unfairly all year. But when I elevated them to the lofty No. 4 spot, and actually kept them there for a week, they lost. See that Buc fans? I'm actually trying to help you. Not that the folks from Tampa Bay actually send in e-mails anyway.
12 13 Carolina Panthers (4-2)
Are you happy with the way they beat the Lions? I mean Chris Weinke pulled out a miracle win and all that, but next time he fires one 90 mph at a receiver three feet away, which went as a Ricky Proehl drop in the end zone, please let him give the guy a catcher's mitt.
13 14 Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
This is the best team in the NFL, according to the ESPN geniuses, astutely analyzing the Hawks' win over Houston. Something like that makes me want them to lose. But in the magazine, I picked them to beat Dallas. Guess which way I'm rooting?
14 16 Kansas City Chiefs (3-2)
I first noticed ex-Idaho State DE Jared Allen last year when they said that his nickname was "The Wild Man of the Mountains," or "The Man of the Wild Mountains," or something like that. Wow, wonder what part of the Idaho wilderness he's from. Turns out he's from Los Gatos, Calif., a pleasant town known for a pedestrian mall and trendy shops. But, man, the guy can rush the passer ... he's kind of an untamed, nonstop thrasher. Broke up the Redskins game with three sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. I give you this information because right now my reading pattern is strongly into biography.
15 8 Washington Redskins (3-2)
Joe Gibbs was fined for his critique of officials in the Denver game. This would be like Billy Graham being fined for smoking in a restricted area.
16 15 New York Giants (3-2)
Eli Manning had a pretty bad game against the Cowboys, but here's what he showed me. At the end, in crunch time, he could still deliver a nice ball when he had to, and bring his team back, even after he had taken a beating all day. Can you think of another New York QB with the same M.O.? How about the guy who wore the green jersey and No. 12?

[BroncoFanDoug]

College football depends on rankings. Pro football...just win. I don't think there is a need to waste your energy complaining about something that is meaningless. It's interesting to follow, but it's meaningless.

Generally I agree, but this ranking was so outrageous I just could not leave it alone. And they dissed Bronc fans!

[RhymesayersDU]

Disagree (of course, I wrote it!). Read the Fox article - especially at the bottom. They try to explain how their system could put the Broncs where they do. If you understand how their explanation answers my questions I'd love to hear it.
Fair enough. I haven't taken the time to read through their system, so perhaps I shouldn't be commenting on that part of your e-mail. However, the fact still remains, there's no real reason to start off your e-mail like you did, and it takes credibility away from the rest of the piece.

[ro_50]

Does anyone care about power rankings in the NFL. I could care less if Fox ranks Denver last.

All I know is they are 5-1 and face the G-Men this weekend.


Its a good thing NFL doesnt have a bowl system.

[DarkHorse30]

Generally I agree, but this ranking was so outrageous I just could not leave it alone. And they dissed Bronc fans!

I think Merlin nailed it in another thread....but I can't remember exactly what he said. Something about the stats they used were "weighted" incorrectly.

Bottom line, you can't seriously place more emphasis on HALF a game IN MIAMI (where Denver has a history of having difficulty....except in SB type games apparently).....than you do on a five-game-winning streak over the best teams in the NFL.

[BroncoFanDoug]

Fair enough. I haven't taken the time to read through their system, so perhaps I shouldn't be commenting on that part of your e-mail. However, the fact still remains, there's no real reason to start off your e-mail like you did, and it takes credibility away from the rest of the piece.

Maybe so. They did piss me off with their condescending attitude - probably got the best of me!

[watermock]

SI and FoxSports.com are both pretty pathetic.

I'm not really concerned as long as we keep winning.

[24champ]

SI and FoxSports.com are both pretty pathetic.

I'm not really concerned as long as we keep winning.
My sentiments exactly.....keep winning and they will be out of a job hopefully.

[Atlas]

SoCals link; http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/10/20/4356fb2f9cf3d

Denver at New York Giants

How the Broncos are doing it, I have no idea, but Denver sits atop the AFC West with a 5-1 record after defeating New England last week. They are little more than average on paper, but the little things have won football games for head coach Mike Shanahan. Denver is taking care of the football, committing just four turnovers this season, and are stopping the run, allowing just 88 yards per game on the ground. Giants' second-year quarterback Eli Manning seemed like a possible MVP candidate before a humbling performance against the Cowboys last week. Look for him to improve on that outing, but it won't be enough to overcome the surging Broncos. Denver wins 20-17.

[DomCasual]

SoCals link; http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/10/20/4356fb2f9cf3dThey are little more than average on paper, but the little things have won football games for head coach Mike Shanahan. Denver is taking care of the football, committing just four turnovers this season, and are stopping the run, allowing just 88 yards per game on the ground.
Just curious, but does anyone else see these as conflicting statements?

They are average on paper, but are avoiding turnovers and their defense is stopping the run? Let's just throw in there that they are pounding the ball on offense with their running game - because, you know, a successful running game that eats up clock means nothing in the NFL.

I am picturing Mike Myers saying, "Towak amongst yohselves. I'll give you a topic. Do sports writers get stupid after they get their jobs, or do they get their jobs because they're stupid?"

[baja]

I think our Dline is going to make Eli poop in his pants.

[-Slap-]

I think our Dline is going to make Eli poop in his pants.
Me too. He does play with a lot more confidence at home, though.

[AlienBronco]

Is there any other time in NFL history that practically the whole starting Dline unit from one team went to another team like in the case of Denver?

[yavoon]

I think Merlin nailed it in another thread....but I can't remember exactly what he said. Something about the stats they used were "weighted" incorrectly.

Bottom line, you can't seriously place more emphasis on HALF a game IN MIAMI (where Denver has a history of having difficulty....except in SB type games apparently).....than you do on a five-game-winning streak over the best teams in the NFL.

man u have selective memory.

[yavoon]

SoCals link; http://www.theeastcarolinian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/10/20/4356fb2f9cf3d

Denver at New York Giants

How the Broncos are doing it, I have no idea, but Denver sits atop the AFC West with a 5-1 record after defeating New England last week. They are little more than average on paper, but the little things have won football games for head coach Mike Shanahan. Denver is taking care of the football, committing just four turnovers this season, and are stopping the run, allowing just 88 yards per game on the ground. Giants' second-year quarterback Eli Manning seemed like a possible MVP candidate before a humbling performance against the Cowboys last week. Look for him to improve on that outing, but it won't be enough to overcome the surging Broncos. Denver wins 20-17.


I'm pretty sure its the big things winning it for us. bailey int return, bell huge runs. u know u could make a text generator for these analysts, no need for real ppl just select from a bunch of cliche's.