Divisional Playoff Weekend Picks

I am thoroughly depressed. I realize that it has been over a week since Wildcard Weekend, but I'm still bitter about the Chiefs loss to the Colts.  The Chiefs' bad omens began in the first half when they loss running back Jamaal Charles to a concussion.  Most people, including myself, now saw 1/3 of the Chief offense sitting on the bench, but Alex Smith didn't see it that way and gave every Chiefs fan a false sense of hope by jumping out to a 38-10 lead. Chiefs' fans were ecstatic!  We were 30 minutes away from seeing our beloved Chiefs end a 20 year playoff drought, but alas, it was not to be.  The 28 point lead disappeared along with injuries to five more players.  Andrew Luck and the Colts stabbed Chiefs fans in the heart with a one point 44-45 victory.  Sickening...just...sickening.

The other games provided just as much excitement, not San Diego and Cincinnati, but the Saints, Chargers, and 49ers are now moving on to the Divisional rounds to take on the teams who were relaxing during their bye weeks.  My picks were a mediocre 2-2 thanks to Kansas City and Green Bay where the wheels fell off of the band wagons...

Saturday, January 11
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
In a rematch of their Week 13 meeting, the Saints travel to Seattle to try to avenge the 34-7 drumming at the hands of the Saints.  I want to pick the Saints, but I think Russell Wilson and the 12th man will be too much-Seahawks

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

This is the only game in which the teams did not play this year.  Me thinks young Mr. Luck's fortunes may not fall his way today at Gillette-Patriots

Sunday, January 12
San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers

Young guns Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton will battle for the second time this season.  The week 10 game saw the Panthers topping the 49er at Candlestick. I'm looking for a repeat of that game (hopefully with a better score)-Panthers

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

Philip Rivers and the Bolos, I mean, the Bolts are traveling back to Denver for a third meeting with the Broncos. The Chargers and Broncos split the season series with the Chargers winning the last match up at Mile High. The Chargers are on a roll, but I'm going to have to go with Pey-Pey-Broncos.

This is one of those weekends where I almost hope I go 0-4. I really don't care for a single team I picked, but alas, they are the stronger teams going in.  Enjoy your Divisional Playoff Weekend!

Until next time, good luck to your teams and "May the odds be ever in your favor!"-Suzanne Collins.

Wild Card Weekend Picks

It's Wild Card Weekend, everybody!!!! The playoffs are upon us!!! We had to wave good-bye to 20 NFL teams last weekend who packed their bags for an early off season.  We also saw the ax fall upon the jobs of 5 coaches-Rob Chudzinski (Cleveland), Mike Shanahan (Washington), Leslie Frazier (Minnesota), Jim Schwartz (Detroit), and Greg Schiano (Tampa Bay). On a positive note, Lovie Smith was hired to replace Schiano in Tampa Bay.

My back-up Chiefs almost beat the 1st string San Diego Chargers.  Had it not been for the refs messing up, Ryan Succop may have gotten a second chance to make that field goal which would have eliminated San Diego and launched Pittsburgh into the playoffs.

The NFL said goodbye to two tremendous competitors this past weekend as well-London Fletcher and Tony Gonzalez. Sadly, both were on teams who ended their nightmarish seasons with a loss. Both of these guys deserved a better end to their great careers. I have a feeling one or both will still grace our television screens when football season returns, and Tony Gonzalez, most definitely, will be entering the hall in a few short years. For my money, London Fletcher should, too.

At the beginning of the season, I made my annual "Predictions sure to go wrong." I didn't fair too badly...

	My Pick	Actual Winner
AFC East	New England	New England
AFC North	Cincinnati	Cincinnati
AFC South	Houston	Indianapolis
AFC West	Kansas City	Denver
Wild cards	Denver/Baltimore	Kansas City/San Diego
NFC East	Washington	Philadelphia
NFC North	Green Bay	Green Bay
NFC South	Atlanta	Carolina
NFC West	San Francisco	Seattle
Wild cards	Seattle/New Orleans	San Francisco/New Orleans

I did manage to pick 8 of the 12 playoff teams. Who really saw Atlanta and New Orleans dropping to Carolina?  My Chiefs Pick was more wishful thinking, but for one bright shining moment, it was almost the truth. The AFC West is sending 3 teams to the playoffs. Now, did any of us see that coming?  Seattle and San Francisco were more or less a given.  Houston and Washington, wow...those teams were just a mess.  Now, Denver, New England, Seattle, and Carolina get to sit back, watch, and wait to see who their opponents will be next week.

Last week was one of my best pick weeks of the year with a 11-5 tally.  My end of the year tally was 143-109 not a bad record.  Now for my wild card picks...

Saturday, January 4
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts
It seems as if every time the Chiefs make the playoffs their opponent is the Colts. Four of the Chiefs last six playoff appearances have been against the Indianapolis Colts.  The Chiefs have lost all four. The last time the Chiefs won a playoff game was January 16, 1994. Joe Montana was quarterback, Marcus Allen was running back, Tony Gonzalez was a senior in high school, Bill Clinton was president, and Miley Cyrus was a one year old named Destiny Hope. It has been, a long, long, long time since the Chiefs won a playoff game. Twenty years!!! I'm picking my Chiefs and let the chips fall where they may.  Go Chiefs!!!!

New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham are amazing. They do amazing things when they connect with one another.  However, it seems as though, things do not always fall their way on the road.  Philadelphia did not begin the year looking like a playoff team, but boy did they end it looking like one. This is going to be a tough game especially in the bad weather headed that way, but I'm picking the Saints, because I'm a homer.  Geaux Saints!!!

Sunday, January 5
San Diego Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Let's preface this by saying that I have little faith in either of these teams. San Diego almost lost to the Chiefs second string last week, and Cincinnati has been up in down all season.  Cincinnati won the last time they played in December. I'm flipping a coin.  San Diego.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers
This will be a tough game. San Francisco's defense vs. Aaron Rodger's offense.  No, I have not forgotten about Colin Kaepernick.  I have no horse in this race, but I find it very hard to pick against Aaron Rodgers at home.  Green Bay.

Alright everybody, I will probably be 0-4 next week, but that's the way it goes. Until next week I leave you with one of my favorite Jim Mora quotes, "Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game."

I'm Ready for Some Football: Predictions without Merit!!!

Finally, football is back!!! The Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints put on a spectacular show Thursday night with the Pack winning 42-30. Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees were unbelievable. The Defenses...well...

Usually, around this time, I am getting my fantasy football season into gear. This year, I have decided the not play. No, I haven't completely given up on fantasy. I love playing. I just don't have a lot of free time these days. Now, I'm not a football expert. So, I'm not going to even pretend to be, but here are some of the things I'm looking forward to this NFL season.

In Defense of Shawne Merriman...

Hey, guys! I know, there are a couple of my readers curious as to my feelings about the situation with Shawne Merriman and the San Diego Chargers this week. If you haven’t heard by now, and I really can’t imagine why you haven’t, Merriman was placed on IR with a minor injury stipulation, which means in 6 weeks, if he is healthy, the Chargers have to release him. For all practical purposes, his days as a San Diego Charger are done.

I had heard that there was a potential chance for Merriman to be cut. Even so, I was still surprised to hear that they were taking this route, but then again I was surprised when A.J. Smith fired Marty Schottenheimer after a 14-2 season. *Shrug* So, for the next 6 weeks, the NFL will be Merriman-less. I’m glad the Chiefs have a winning record.

The thing that really surprised me, however, was the number of negative comments made by some San Diego “fans.” First, there were the ones who commented, “get rid of the bum because he hasn’t been any good since he got off the ‘roids.”

1. Merriman tested positive in April of 2006. He was suspended in September of 2006. He deserved the suspension, because even if you are “unaware” of a substance is in the supplement, you are responsible for getting it tested. He was suspended without pay for four weeks. He lost more in those 4 weeks than most of us will make in 4 years. Not to mention, it cost him the Defensive player of the Year. Plus, he has the dubious honor of having an NFL rule named after him.

2. He finished the 2006 season with the following stats: 62 tackles, 17 sacks, 7 PDef, and an interception.

3. He finished the 2007 season with the following stats: 68 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 4 PDef.

That doesn’t look like a fall off to me; therefore, the “roids” argument doesn’t wash, so let that argument go, because it doesn’t hold water.

Then, there were the ones who commented, “he is an off-field distraction, who has delusions of Hollywood more than football.” Really? Name an NFL player who isn’t trying to make it in Hollywood? So, that’s not Shaun Phillips on Kick Off Cook Off. Philip Rivers isn’t in that ESPN commercial. Apparently, Antonio Gates doesn't do commercials or the ESPYs either. Football careers are short lived. These guys have to make a dime anyway they can. If Hollywood is willing to give them the money, I have two words-take it. That whole business with Pro Football Talk was to be done on the nights most players go out and party. I would rather have my players in a studio talking football, than getting drunk in a club (as long as he didn’t discuss out playbook). Don't start me on Peyton Manning...

Arrests. Shaun Phillips was arrested in 2006 for resisting arrest and was cited for slapping a security guard in 2009. Plus, he has an impending civil case in Las Vegas for allegedly slapping a 54 year-old woman. No, distractions there. The guy you protest to miss and need so much, Vincent Jackson was arrested and sentenced not once but twice for driving under the influence. By all means, give him whatever he wants. Plus, Jackson was arrested for driving with a supended license the morning of the playoff game with the Jets (a game in which he received a 15 yard penalty for kicking Rex Ryan's challenge flag). By all means, welcome him. Merriman was arrested, released, charges dismissed for his alleged "assault" on Tila Nguyen. You guys want to defend a woman who claimed she was pregnant by a rapper, not pregnant by a rapper, but a surrogate for her brother, but not a surrogate for her brother, cause she's not pregnant, but engaged to marry a woman who dies shortly after the engagement. Those are just the ones that popped up in my newspapers. Yet, several people called him a woman beater. *eyes rolling*

Merriman's injury came on December 9, 2007 after a cheap shot hit on him in "retaliation" for Vince Young running into him. David Stewart and Kevin Mawae were fined a total of $17,500 for that hit on Merriman. The Chargers doctors diagnosed Merriman with knee ligament "sprains." His missed one game and played the rest of the season virtually on one leg, because those "sprains" were actually tears to his PCL and LCL.

Did you forget the rematch a few weeks later in the playoffs where Merriman 4 tackles, 1 sack and a FF? ON ONE LEG. Playing the next week against Indy with 5 tackles and 1 PDef. ON ONE LEG. Playing the next week and the Pro Bowl. Okay. So maybe he should have taken off the Pro Bowl and had surgery. He still would have only played a hand full of games in 2008, and the injury takes at least a year to fully recover. So, he tried to play in 2008 with one leg. Surgery. He comes back pulled groin and plantar fasciitis. He only had 4 sacks and 28 tackles in 2009. If sacks are the only stat you look at, Nick Barnett and Patrick Willis also only had four. Ray Lewis only had 3. Granted they had far more tackles, but most of you are really only looking at the sack stat, Merriman was not really drafted for his tackling. It was for the sacks. Good luck sacking even the slowest quarterback with those injuries. My point is...HE PLAYED!!!

Then, there is this year. Yes, yes. The ill-advised sit out, but he showed up. Then, there was the Achilles. Then, there was the calf-strain. So, now he's done Charger fans. He's about to be where most of you want him, on his way to being "someone else's problem." So, Shawne here's what you do. Rest the leg. Get therapy on the Achilles and calf. Repeat. Take whatever the next team offers that reasonable. Don't hem and haw too much. Don't talk about it at all. Take the deal. Take the field, and model your comeback after Drew Brees, who they thought was washed up, too.

Good luck, Shawne...

Until next time, "The best revenge is massive success."~Frank Sinatra

DianaDishes Predictions Sure to Go Wrong...

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!!! The long break is over!! It's time for some football!!! It's hard to believe that the NFL season ended 214 days ago with the New Orleans Saints lifting the Lombardi Trophy and celebrated with a party the size of which the Big Easy has never seen, and may never see again. Tonight, the Saints are going to take the field against Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, the team they snuffed out in the AFC Championship game.

So, everyone is giving their two cents about who will win in which conference, and why they will be the team to be the first to hold up the Lombardi Trophy while standing on the Star in Cowboy Stadium. Well, that's not me. I'm not going to spend a lot of time telling you that I perused a lot of magazines to come up with my opinion (I did, but that's not how I came up with them). I could tell you that I've spent every waking moment watching NFL Live, Sportscenter, NFL Total Access, but I'd be lying, because I've spent most of my time watching Investigation Discovery, which gives me a weekly dose of my favorite news correspondent, Troy Roberts (Happy Birthday, Troy!). Yes, I could lie to you, but I'm going to be honest. I'm pulling this pretty much out of my...well, you get the picture.

AFC East

1. New York Jets
2. New England Patriots
3. Miami Dolphins
4. Buffalo Bills

I truly do believe that Rex Ryan's defense is going to eat up the AFC East. Although Tom Brady is playing for a new contract, he has to deal with a petulant Randy Moss, who wants a new contract. God only knows what's happening in Miami with Chad Henne behind center, and even though they managed to pull in Brandon Marshall. Buffalo...well, at least you had the 90's.

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts
2. Tennessee Titans
3. Houston Texans
4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Let's face it, this is Peyton's division to lose. Tennessee and Houston have both improved, but I doubt they will knock off Peyton. Watch they prove me wrong. David Garrard, you've always got that super-fly velvet jacket, and Maurice Jones-Drew, you've got video evidence that you knocked down Shawne Merriman. Thaaat's about it, Jacksonville. See ya, in LA unless the Chargers beat you there, too.

AFC North

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Cleveland Browns

Time is winding down for the scariest man in the NFL Ray Lewis, and I think these guys are going to try to bring home one more ring for Ray-Ray. Cincinnati tasted the good life last year, and it was sweet, but I don't see them repeating. I still don't understand why anybody in Cincy thought it was a good idea to start TO and his little Buddy OchoCinco on the same time. Pittsburgh may surprise us once Big Ben is let out of the naughty boys box (jerk). Sorry, Mike Tomlin, I hope y'all finish behind Cleveland. Cleveland...I got nothing.

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers
2. Kansas City Chiefs
3. Denver Broncos
4. Oakland Raiders

Even with the injuries and hold-outs in San Diego, I still think the Chargers are the team to beat in the West. Kansas City hired new coordinators, and well...and they are my team. I will not put the Donks or Crazy Al's body shop Raiders, who aren't much better, ahead of my Chiefs. I really do think they will surprise some people this year. They may even beat the Chargers on Monday Night Football, but I would be insane if I said I thought they were going to win the division.

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys
2. New York Giants
3. Washington Redskins
4. Philadelphia Eagles

I don't really care...I hope they all rip each other apart. That said. Eli, do me a favor. Reclaim the East. The last thing I need is Cowboys fans winning number 6 before the 49ers, much less winning it in Dallas. Washington is a mess, and Philly has a new quarterback (They are still probably better than me Chiefs.

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Carolina Panthers
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I believe that Atlanta will be much better this year with Matt Ryan entering his 3rd season and his second with Tony Gonzalez. Now, y'all know, I was going to mention TG. Don't hate me Saints fans. I love the Saints just as much as anybody, but I don't see them repeating. Carolina will be better, and Tampa Bay will get to see what Josh Freeman has in him...but maybe next year for both.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. Chicago Bears
4. Detroit Lions

I have a feeling that Aaron Rodgers and the Pack are going to run rough shot over the NFC North. I don't care that Lord Favre did decide to grace us with another year. Chicago...Nice knowing you, Lovie. Detroit...you've got Matt Stafford and Ndom..Ndam...*Google* Ndamukong Suh...

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Arizona Cardinals
3. Seattle Seahawks
4. St. Louis Rams

Mike Singletary finally found a way to win with them, and he will continue to do it now that Kurt Warner has left the Arizona Cardinals in the capable hands of...Derek Anderson. It worked well in Cleveland, right...oh, yeah. Matt Hasselbeck will get hurt, and Sam Bradford plays for St. Louis...

AFC Wildcards-New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans
NFC Wildcards-New Orleans Saints, New York Giants

AFC Champions-Baltimore Ravens...I said it...I mean it...It will probably be wrong...but I'm telling you. I feel like this is going to be the Ravens year.

NFC Champions-Green Bay Packers...After much soul searching, I chose Green Bay. I don't know why. I just did. (Saints are making me re-think this right about now.)

Super Bowl XLV Champions-Baltimore Ravens

Well, there they are DianaDishes Predictions Sure to go Wrong. Feel free to tell me that I'm a moron in the comment section. Just remember, you can't call me anything that I haven't been called all ready, probably by my mom...

Enjoy the season! I need to go check my five fantasy teams. Until next time, "There are truths of which I have an inkling, but of most I have only a penciling."~Robert Brault

Fantasy Draft #2: Introducing Hecate's HellHounds...

It's the weekend, everybody! Today was the second of my fantasy drafts. This draft takes place with the NF L. com fantasy football , and the league is called the League of Champions. Once again, bec ause the draft order is randomized, we didn't find out our draft order until this morning. I had the 2nd pick out of 12! Let me introduce you to Hecate's HellHounds!

Introducing my starting line-up:
1st round-2th pick RB Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings. Despite a battle with the fumble-itis last year (7 fumbles), Peterson finished the season with 1383 yards and 18 touchdowns. 2009 Fantasy stats: 268.70 fantasy points.

2nd round-23rd pick QB Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers. Philip is one of my favorite quarterbacks, mostly because of that Southern Charm and his ability to get under the skin of opposing players. Rivers finished the season 4254 yards and 28 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. He'll be without his favorite WR Vincent Jackson, but he still has Antonio Gates. 2009 Fantasy stats: 307.70 fantasy points.

3rd round-26th pick RB Ryan Grant Green Bay Packers. Grant may not have the yards that Peterson does, but he has great hands. He committed only one fumble last year. He finished the season with 1253 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. 2009 Fantasy stats: 201.15 fantasy points.

4th round-47th pick WR Wes Welker New England Patriots. This is the down side of having a high pick. Something has to to suffer; for me, it is my receiving corps. Welker is Tom Brady's go to guy when Randy Moss is under pressure. He finished the season with 1348 yards and 4 touchdowns. 2009 Fantasy stats: 95.00 fantasy points.

5th round-50th pick The Captain of the HellHounds-TE Tony Gonzalez Atlanta Falcons. I got Tony, I got Tony...ha-ha-ha-haa-ha...ha-ha-ha-haa-ha...Uh-uhm. In his first year as an (sigh) Atlanta Falcon, TG finished the season with 867 yards and 6 touchdown. His next catch will be number 1,000, the first Tight End to reach that number. 2009 Fantasy stats: 79.35 fantasy points.

6th round-71st pick WR Pierre Garcon Indianapolis Colts. Last season, Garcon finshed with 765 yards and 4 touchdowns in 13 games. Plus, Peyton Manning is throwing to him. 2009 Fantasy stats: 63.25 points.

7th round-74th pick DEF Minnesota Vikings. Vikings finished 6th in overall defense last year. They led the league with 48 sacks, and they tacked on 11 interceptions. 2009 Fantasy Stats: 116 fantasy points.

8th round-95th pick WR Malcolm Floyd San Diego Chargers. Malcolm Floyd should benefit from Vincent Jackson's absence because of Jackson's holdout and impending suspension. He finished the 2009 season with 776 yards and 1 touchdown. Just one? C'mon, man. 2009 Fantasy stats: 44.80 points.

These are my bench players:
9th round-97th pick DEF San Diego Chargers (Lights out is back! Plus, I didn't want another team with the Chargers.

10th round-119th pick RB Clinton Portis Washington Redskins
11th round-122nd pick QB Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals
12th round-143rd pick TE Heath Miller Pittsburgh Steelers
13th round-146th pick WR Dexter McCluster Kansas City Chiefs
14th round-167th pick K Ryan Longwell Minnesota Vikings
15th round-169th pick WR Nate Burleson Detroit Lions

Will the HellHounds wreak havoc upon the League of Champions, or will they be a team of pitiful puppies? Only time will tell. What do you think? Leave me a line.

So until next time remember, "Football is easy, if you're crazy as hell."~Bo Jackson

Come Back, Shawne!!!!

Dear Mr. Merriman,

I am a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan, but as the 10-12 readers of my blog (not to mention my twitter account) can attest to, I am a big fan of yours. Granted it wasn't always that way. Your first couple of years in the league, I thought you were a raving lunatic hell-bent on destroying my team's fragile quarterbacks. I burned in anger when you blew up Priest Holmes' career. I, like many Chiefs fans, rejoiced when you were suspended by the league in 2006. It was later, however, that I read about your background, and how you had survived numerous maladies as a youth. I was surprised, mostly because I usually didn't give two thoughts to the players wearing the opposite helmet.

Shawne Merriman #56 of the San Diego Chargers warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 25, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I started watching you play. I liked how you would throw yourself around with reckless abandon evoking fear in the hearts of opposing quarterbacks. It reminded me a lot of my favorite LB the late Chiefs star #58 Derrick Thomas. I enjoyed watching your tie ups with Tony Gonzalez on the line of scrimmage. I was cheering you on when I saw the cheap shot that messed up your knee. I, unlike most Chiefs fans, was devastated when you announced that you would not play the remainder of the 2008 season because of knee surgery. So, I settled for watching you, Jay Glazer, and Eddie George on Pro Football Talk.

I can't wait for the start of every season. I look forward to the Chiefs taking the field and hopefully winning the AFC West. I know, it's a little delusional, but I can still hope. I couldn't wait for the start of the 2009 season, because it meant "Lights Out" was returning to the field. I watched you try to power through the injuries, and unlike some fans, I understood how difficult it was to overcome. I cheered you on, and I don't think anyone screamed louder when you twice sacked JaMarcus Russell (because I absolutely hate the Raiders, and I thought it was funny) and later sacked Eli Manning twice.

Daunte Culpepper #8 of the Oakland Raiders is sacked by Linebacker Shawne Merriman #56 of the San Diego Chargers during the first half on October 14, 2007 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Earlier this year, I bought a Chargers jersey. It was the first time I had ever bought a jersey that was not from one of my favorite teams. That jersey was yours #56. Don't get me wrong, I still sport my Chiefs jersey even though it is a Gonzalez jersey, and he is in his second year with the Falcons, much to my chagrin. So, this season, I was looking forward to your playing at full strength.

Shawne Merriman #56 of the San Diego Chargers against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium on November 8, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Chargers defeated the Giants 21-20. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Look, I know you and A. J. Smith don't get along. I don't really think A. J. Smith is impressed by anybody but himself. I am not an A. J. Smith fan, especially after the way he kicked Marty Schottenheimer to the curb (I know there was probably more to it, but I prefer to have A. J. as the bad guy, because I love Marty). I'm not like those fair weather fans who are currently tossing bad names in your general direction. I save those names for the people who truly deserve it-The Raiders. I know you want to have some reassurance from the Chargers that they want trade you. You want to be wanted. I got it. It's no fun playing for a team that appears to not appreciate you.

This is the reason why I believe you should play. Show them how important you are to the team. Show them why they should give you those reassurances. Show them the "Lights Out" that put the fear of God in those quarterbacks, and if they trade you, show them why that trade will be their loss. I think there are a lot of Pro Bowl years left in you. We can't see that if you are at home (I also get that Training Camp may be a bit of a pain). It sickens me that Larry English is taking your reps (I don't really dislike the kid, but you get my drift). Remember what Joni Mitchell said "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." Show the Chargers that you are the true leader of that defense. Show them that you are still that guy breaking through the line with reckless abandon. I hope you are on the field when the Chargers play my Chiefs on Monday night football. I want to be shielding my eyes as you break through the line and hit Matt Cassel (don't kill him, the team still owes him a lot of money). Show them why they should give you that long term contract, and if they don't take your talents elsewhere. I will still root for you, unless you become a Raider...just don't do that... Looking forward to seeing you on the field!

Sincerely,
Diana

P.S. "The secret of greatness is simple: do better work than any other man in your field – and keep on doing it." Wilfred A. Peterson