By The Numbers

By Mike Swartz

0 – The number that will be to the left of the 16 in the Detroit Lions record at the end of this season. This result was practically evident after week 10 when the remaining teams on the Lions schedule were, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Minnesota, Indianapolis, and the two games remaining to be played, New Orleans and at Green bay. After starting 0-9, their season looked to only get worse as the combined record of the Lions remaining schedule was 40-15 (at the time they faced the teams). The only glimmer of hope in the Lions season was shattered as their pro bowl hopeful wide receiver Calvin Johnson was denied a spot on the team despite having what should be around a 1300 yard season.

7 to 2 – The ratio of New York Jets players to New England Patriots players on the 2009 AFC Pro Bowl team, and yes, in that order. The Jets have sent players such as the great gun slinger Brett Favre, the AFC rushing leader Thomas Jones, and nose tackle Kris Jenkins. The Jets have 4 starters on the Pro Bowl team, technically 5 if the first defensive play for AFC is in the Nickel package (Darrelle Revis). While usually the Patriots dominate the AFC dream teams, “America’s Team” is only sending two players, one of which are starting…which would be the kicker.

14 – The commonly used term of 2008, “If I was the commissioner of the NFL….” Although the system the NFL has in place has worked perfectly thus far and has no issue at all compared to the BCS, if I was the NFL commissioner, I would just HAVE to give out 14 playoff spots, two more than usual. The way that the NFL has played out thus far, there are a couple teams that will both make it into the playoffs that don’t deserve it, and teams that won’t that should be given the chance. Due to the surprising season by the Titans, the Colts will most likely get their usual playoff spot, taking one of the wild card spots, and possibly giving the other to the Ravens, while two deserving teams sit in the AFC East. The Jets and Dolphins turn around seasons and the level they’ve played on should give them a chance to play in the big show, and are both more deserving than the Broncos, who will make it, along with the fact that the Jets have handed the Titans one of their few losses. In the NFC the Vikings take one of the 6 spots, while it should be going to either a team from the NFC South, or East. With the hot Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Falcons all bidding for the two wild card spots, it could get ugly in the final battle as one of the teams, which sadly may be the Falcons, gets left out.

27 – The number of rebounds Los Angeles Clippers center Marcus Camby had December 17th against the Chicago Bulls. Pulling in 10 offensive, and 17 defensive rebounds, Marcus Camby came within the game record for total rebounds in a game of 35 by Charles Oakley set in 1988.

134 (4,950) – The weekly Drew Brees update, and it’s not looking promising. After receiving weekly coverage by me with a permanent spot on my blog, and a couple of mediocre (for Drew Brees) games, Brees is now on track to fall short of Dan Marino’s single season record for passing yards at 5,084 by 134 yards. Although he already comes in at 29th on the list with 4,332, he would need 742 yards in his last two games, which would be around 376 in each game. The 4,950 yard season he’s currently projected at would put him at 2nd on the list with about 100 yards between the 1st and 3rd place guy, Marino, and that Iraqi reporter that was recently suspended for throwing a shoe at George Bush (guy’s got a cannon). But don’t worry, Roger Goodell made sure he pays for his actions and he’ll be back after he serves his hefty one week suspension.

749 – The number of players on opening day that will be being paid less than New York Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia. The biggest buzz in sports in the past week, Sabathia signed a contract with the Yankees for 7 years, and $161 million dollars. Sparking controversy about the sports world “immunity” to the current economy situation, the Yankees spending habits, and signing 300 pound pitchers to 7 year deals, C.C. Sabathia looks to become the new Johan Santana, and carry a team into the playoffs; too bad Santana failed to do so. Even if that wasn’t enough money for you, the Yankees signed 31 year old AJ Burnett for another $82.5 million. Even if that still isn’t making you excited to go to a Yankees game for what will end up being a $1,000 nose-bleed seat, they offered 36 year old Manny Ramirez $66 million. With the term “where stars go to die” coming to life (no pun intended), the addition of Manny Ramirez would give the Yankees 7 out of 9 starters in their line up over the age of 30. Although, Manny will most likely not agree to this contract until it is upgraded to $67 million so that he and CC can go to the car dealership together and buy their Lamborghini’s, instead of those crappy Ferrari’s, because they don’t have that usual luxury with all the other things they spend their hundreds of millions of dollars on such as houses and donation-…no, um…houses….and…