Page 34 - Phoenix2003

Wednesday, October 8, 2003 - Page 10 SPORTS The Better Fan- McDaniel's Own P.T.I. ~ports Trivia RYAN BROD Sports Editor & WALTER ZALIS ~ho is the Senior Writer touchdowns this season. And the only wide all-time leader If you are one of the many people who Zalis: The Colts always seem to start outreceiver I am willing to bet anyone knows eligiously watch Sportscenter and can ac- the year like this. Peyton Manning just had aabout on the Chiefs isn't even known for his tually name ar least two of its commerua- breakout performance ... against the Saints.receiving ability, but more for his return abil- °n strikeouts ors, then you probably have seen or heard The Saints Slick. Their defense is deplorable.ity. Dante Hall is amazing for a kick return, f the show Pardon the Interruption. Their performance was an embarrassment,but he only has 56 actual receiving yards. If not, here's a quick summary: one of the worst defensive performances IOf course, lets not forget what is the Chief's OmMajor The show is simply a set with two men have ever seen. Now, Manning is a talent butoffense. Priest Holmes. He cannot carry this acing off on different subjects in the whole I don't trust him. He's not consistent. Heentire offense on his back the whole season. ide world of sports. couldn't even rack up a single touchdownHe is already hurting, and soon he is not his League Topics can vary from the NFL to the against the lowly Browns in week I. Plusgoing to able to handle all the touches ~omen's World Cup. with Edgerrin James being the injury proneteam expects him to take. The two men argue for the entire length player he is (not too mention how overrated Brad: With an ailing Priest Holmes best of- history? and fthe show with set time limits on each topic he is), Manning is going to run out of op-no big-time wide out, the Chief's f discussion, which are topics most preva- lions. fensive option is their tight end ... and when ent in the sports world at the lime. Brod: I can't argue with that. The Cclt'syour tigbt end is your best option, you're not This column of the Phoenix will be simi- inconsistency in December and Januarygoing to win many games. This being said, ar to the premise of the show, except for the scares me. As explosive as their offense canif Holmes can get (and remain) healthy, his act it's on paper and Ryan Brod and I have be, Manning's passing' seems to become er-shear ability to run the ball will make them K\Thohas won ever appeared on ESPN. ratic late in the season and he seems to forcevery offensively dangerous. I think he can So, with that introduction, let's jump into lots of throws in tight situations. Also ... haveand will carry the entire offense right into opic #1: Undefeated and Defeated NFL they even won a playoff game with Manningthe postseason. This guy is for real and he he most at Q.B.?They need to prove consistency overwill tough out the injury. After week four's completion, six teams an entire football season before I give them Zalis: Ibelieve the Vikings and the .till remain without a loss on their record' my respect. Seahawks have the best chance of succeed- grand slam he Minnesota Vikings, the Carolina Pan- Zalis: The Broncos have been lookinging. They have the needed ingredients to play hers, the Seattle Seahawks, the lndianapo- really good. However, running back Clintonlike a championship team. Daunte is Colts, the Denver Broncos, and the Kan- Portis is injured, missing week 4. He's theirCulpepper, Randy Moss, Moe Williams and ennis titles in 'as City Chiefs. main offensive tool. No longer do they haven revamped defense have had the Vikings This collection of teams is one I doubt that standout receiver, with several p!ayerseasily defeating opponents thus far this sea- nyone picked to go undefeated after week carrying the load. And Jake Plummer is alsoson. Michael Bennet is also on his way back history? our. overrated. In two of his four victories, thero play. Even in Culpepper's absence, Gus But which of these are for real, and which losing quarterback actually led in passing.Prerotte has over 450 yards passing, with five pre just a lucky bunch of guys looking to do And in his victory over the struggling Raid-TD's as opposed to a single interception. hat the Chargers have done in years past? ers. he didn't even throw for 200 yards. The BI'Od: I haven't had a chance to see Zalis:The Panthers need a solid quarter- toughest teams the Broncos have met wasthe Seahawks play yet, so I'll refrain from ack. They are currently going with Jake ~ho is the the Lions and the Bengals, and when they taking a guess on them. BUI like I said ear- pel homme, who obviously has yet to prove do meet a team of substance, undefeated willlier, I've been very surprised and impressed Imself and I bet half the people that just be in the past. with the Panthers. Now that Vick is out in ead his name has no idea who he is. The Brod: Does it really matter who the Bran-Atlanta, I think the Panthers are the odds-on NBA's all- efense and Stephen Davis have been solid, cos have at starting running back? favorites to win the NFC South division. ut that won't last the entire season. Over the last six season they have had Terrell Big FiDIIb: The Seahawks have the in- Brod: I really like the Panthers. Last Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson andgredients too, in Shaun Alexander. Darrel ime leading ear, after a 3-0 start, they failed to make Portis all run for over 1000 yards. Now thatJackson, an improved defense and the awe- me playoffs. Although Oelhomme is a no- Portis is hurt, they'll just slick Mike Ander-some play of Matt Hasselbeck who already erne at quarterback, I wouldn't be surprised son in and keep on churning out yards. Thehas seven TD's to his credit and only one onassist? f they made the playoffs this year. He could Broncos play the Chiefs this week: you willioterception, even with a bye week. ~ the Tom Brady of two years ago: a rela- be able to tell a lot from that game alone. The problem with these teams however ively unheard of QB that rises to the occa- Zalls: Speaking of the Chiefs, they haveis that they have yet to be challenged by a ion. looked good and they've picked up some niceMiami, a Tampa Bay, or a Tennessee. After Also, Davis is hard to stop at running victories over the Steelers and the Ravens.they play one of the real contenders. we'll ack. Their ability to run the ball takes some But Trent Green is no superstar quarterback.find out if they have what it takes. ~hohas won ressure off of the defense and they seem to He has more interceptions than he does ~nd out wins. :301) 831-5885 .J~ he most 410) 795-7614 - :3011829·1937 FAX major titles in :-Mail: siainS@attglobal.net 'IOFISSIONAL INSURANCE professional AGtNl ,111 Sherman Insurance Agency L.l!:I L AUTO, FIRE, HOMEOWNERS, LIFE, A. & H. golf? JAY GAITHER 104 EAST RIDGEVILLE BLVD. KATHY SAMPSElLE MT. AIRY, MD 21771