Miami Dolphins 2009

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Around the NFL

The Oakland Raiders, fresh off their worst home shutout loss ever, say they are sticking with quarterback Jamarcus Russell. The former number one overall pick has steadily regressed to now become the worst starting quarterback in the NFL. Russell has completed 46 percent of his passes in 2009 and turned the ball over 13 times so far this season. Oakland coach Tom Cable has no choice but to stick with Russell as the only quarterback behind him is Bruce Gradkowski, who is not much better than Russell.

The Washington Redskins debuted their new play caller, Sherm Lewis, on Monday Night Football to expected results. The Eagles blew out the Redskins in all aspects of the game. The Redskins performance brought to mind the famous line by former Buccaneers coach John McKay who coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to 26 straight losses in the 1970's. McKay was asked about his team's execution, he replied, "I'm all for it."

Receiver Josh Cribbs became upset with Cleveland Browns fans over the weekend after the fans began chanting in support of the Green Bay Packers, who were blowing the Browns off the field. Cribbs said, "That should never happen." Cribbs and the Browns are one of the worst teams in all of professional football, so with dedicated fans continuing to show up for the Browns, it's not a surprise they are looking for something positive to cheer for, because the Browns aren't delivering.

If you watched many of the analysis shows for the NFL over the weekend, you may have noticed a growing theme of the battle between the haves and the have nots. This season, the difference is as stark as it has been in decades. There are power teams at the top: New England, Indianapolis, New York Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then there are the teams that are frankly just awful: St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns.

The common elements among the teams that are good are superior quarterback play and steady ownership and coaches. On the flip side, the teams that are terrible have swung for the fences on draft day, or through free agency (see Washington Redskins), and have missed horribly.

Just how good has the New Orleans Saints' offense been so far this season?
After destroying the Dolphins in the second half last Sunday, the Saints are averaging almost 40 points a game through the first 6 games. Projecting out that pace through the season, the Saints will shatter the single season scoring record set by the Patriots just two years ago. The Saints are set to put up 634 points over the season. Plus, the Saints are playing in the NFC South with two of the worst teams out there, the Bucs and Panthers. If the Saints can put up over 40 against the Giants, Dolphins, and Eagles, it may get very, very ugly for future Saints opponents.

The Cowboys knew they struck gold when they drafted outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware out of Troy University a few years ago. Now, Ware has a lucrative contract - the Cowboys gave him a six-year, $78 million deal on Monday that contains $40 million in guaranteed money. Ware likely struck the deal now after realizing that despite the fact there will likely not be a salary cap in 2010, he wouldn't have qualified for unrestricted free agency and couldn't have cashed in a bigger deal than the one he struck with the Cowboys.

The Tennessee Titans' season has been awful to say the least. Now, Titans owner Bud Adams is making it known backup quarterback Vince Young should be inserted into the starting lineup. Young has been an average at best quarterback in the NFL, but he might be a spark the team needs to try and win their first game. And as most NFL coaches learn very quickly, what the owner wants…the owner gets. So look for Young to show up in the lineup before being down by 59 points, as he did against the Patriots. If Young fails to deliver, his Titans career is likely over and his NFL future may be in doubt as well.

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