NFL Nonsense

Over the past week, the NFL has had a few ridiculous happenings, all three of which need a solid rant.

Why don't we start in Minnesota?

I proclaim my home state the land of 10,000 old quarterbacks who can't make it through the season. Not as catchy, but equally true. Leslie Frazier made it known on Tuesday that Christian Ponder would be starting in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers, as Donavan McNabb has led the Vikings to a 1-5 record. This was inevitable after week three, maybe even Week 2. Without a legitimate shot at the playoffs, the Vikings want to see if Ponder can be their guy for the future.

I don't know what is wrong in Minnesota. Before the complete embarrassment at Chicago, the Vikings looked good at one point or another in pretty much every game. Adrian Peterson is himself. Jared Allen is having his best year yet. Percy Harvin looks sharp when he isn't complaining about his head, stomach, or little toe hurting. Their running game is ranked third in the NFL and their run defense is ranked fourth. They are crap (31st) in passing and mediocre (24th) against the pass, but what else would you expect from the Vikings? What is the problem?

Well, they are completely undisciplined. Penalties are hindering them beyond any coach's worst nightmare. Against San Diego, the Vikes had 9 penalties for 78 yards, giving away 5 first downs on penalties to the already-potent Chargers. Against Detroit, 10 penalties for 79 yards. Other teams have more penalties for more yards, but none shoots themselves in the foot more aptly than the Vikings. They have given up 11 first downs on penalties, nearly two every single game. Each penalty seems to take away a first down, give away a first down, or completely kill a drive. They simply cannot overcome their mistakes.

Another problem, that will be solved by Ponder in my opinion is third down conversions. The Vikes are at 36% right now on third down conversions. This is McNabb's true failing. After Peterson rushes for 4 yards twice, McNabb can't complete a two yard throw to keep the chains moving. Ponder should be able to pick up those short yardage third downs with his legs … and throw a 2-yard pass, as well.

It is my theory, that had there been no lockout, the Vikings would not have pursued McNabb. That is completely unprovable, I know. But Ponder not having the chance to play with the team through the summer really hurt his chances of being ready to lead the team. The Vikings were looking for a bandage fix and McNabb fit the bill … well, the bandage lasted 10 games fewer than expected. No big deal. I still wish I could see more of Joe Webb, the best third-string quarterback in the NFL. That kid has some potential if anybody ever decides to give him a look.

But what many people probably overlook in this Christian Ponder situation is that the Vikings are trying to get a stadium deal through the Minnesota legislature and their complete crap play can't have helped their cause. A special session was just called for earlier in the week and will take place from November 21-23 and that may decide the fate of the Vikings in Minnesota. It may also delay a decision until spring and beyond, but this is the time for the Vikings to show there is hope for their future in Minnesota. McNabb is not the future.

People may get behind Ponder, even if he loses. They just want to see potential for victory in 2012 and beyond. I'm not saying the entire fate of the NFL in Minnesota rests on Ponder, but he could have a real impact and that's no overstatement. And yes, I think the decision to start Ponder in Week 7 was at least 50% motivated by a reaction to the Minnesota politics.

Minnesota remains one of the most talented teams in the league. They also remain 1-5 when they could easily be 5-1.

Let's move on to Oakland and Cincinnati.

When Jason Campbell went down with a broken collarbone, pretty much everybody could guess as to the Raiders' potential moves: contact David Garrard, contact Carson Palmer and the Bengals, if those don't pan out, contact Denver and Kyle Orton, if those don't pan out, call Brett Favre. If he's not available, see if Jeff George is still alive.

I'll admit, the Palmer deal was a surprise to me on many levels. Firstly, that the Bengals allowed a trade was a surprise given their attitude about the entire situation. Secondly, that the Raiders were willing to give up (potentially) two first round picks for Palmer is just baffling. First round picks are a premium and letting two go for one guy means that guy is pretty special and he can bring your team to a new level.

The Bengals got the better end of the deal. Jason Campbell is nothing more than a serviceable quarterback. With him, the Raiders may have gone 9-7 or 10-6, possibly 11-5 and been on the cusp of the playoffs in the midst of a strong AFC.

With Palmer, that might change by a game, if Palmer is on his game. Perhaps they'll find themselves at 10-6 or 11-5, still playing in the first week of the playoffs against a very strong opponent.

But how different would it have been with Kyle Boller? 8-8, 9-7, or 10-6? Still in the playoffs? If the Raiders had more pieces of the puzzle to make a run at the Super Bowl, I could see this panning out, but they simply won't get there this year, not with all of the power in the AFC.
But what this trade has done for the Bengals is huge. The Raiders will probably have a pick somewhere between 20 and 25. The Bengals will probably have a similar pick in the 2012 draft. One or both of those picks could easily be leveraged to get a higher pick not named Andrew Luck. Andy Dalton to A.J. Green looks pretty good. Imagine how good Andy Dalton to Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon would look. Or think about the Bengals with USC's Matt Kalil at left tackle.

This trade could easily make the 2012 AFC North the best division in football and it's already pretty good.

Finally, to San Francisco and Detroit, where coaches cuss and yell and pretend they're going to fight each other.

Give me a break. Players are tending to defend the actions of Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwarz and I must say I disagree. Football is an emotional sport, an emotional game. Yeah, I get it, but if you can't shake the hand of the coach across the field and say 10 civil words after a win or a loss, you shouldn't be a coach in the NFL. We can do better.

I know, Schwarz and Harbaugh are both doing a hell of a job on clubs that have been poor for many recent years. Both are in the running for coach of the year at this point, but what I saw this past Sunday was not coach of the year material.

To Harbaugh I say: beating Detroit is not winning the Super Bowl. Try to contain yourself. If you beat Baltimore in Week 12, are you going to wet your pants?

I know Harbaugh is a winning coach, a success story with an under-talented team, but this guy has no class. He runs up the score too often and his attitude takes meaning away from his team's victory, shining the spotlight onto himself. I'm sure the 49ers are glad to have him, but disciplinary action should have been taken. Not fining these coaches fails to send the message that such uncontrolled behavior is unacceptable. Players are getting fined left and right for hard hits, regardless of intent. Coaches should be held accountable, as well. It should have started with Harbaugh and Schwarz. No fine set a bad precedent.

To Schwartz I say: overreact much? Seriously, go back and watch the tape of yourself after your win over the Vikings or Cowboys. You're no better than Harbaugh.

Schwartz and Harbaugh's ridiculously stubborn attitudes about apologizing make me want to vomit. Schwarz called the situation "regrettable," while Harbaugh said apologies were just excuses. For God's sake, when you make a mistake, you apologize. It is common human decency. You both made mistakes; you can both apologize. Nobody will think you giant wimps for saying you are sorry for what you did. Not doing so means that you don't recognize that you were acting like a complete baby.

I wouldn't follow anyone who refuses to apologize for mistakes. Both these guys might be the driving forces behind two winning football teams, but not taking responsibility for one's actions and appropriately apologizing will not mean continued winning that is built to last.