Snap Judgements

           11 days until the Superbowl, feels like an eternity. I know the title of this post might sound like a column on ESPN.com because, well, it is (Thank you, Don Banks), but I don't have much to write about so I am going to do it anyway.

          Looks like Hines Ward is going to play, he better if the Steelers want any chance in winning. Limas Sweed looks like a rookie, and Nate Washington is nothing better than a solid slot receiver. Without Ward not in the lineup, Arizona can afford to plan man-to-man defense on WR Santonio Holmes, in which CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will draw largest straw to guard him for 60 minutes. However, with Ward in the lineup, Arizona will most likely play a 2 deep zone, in which Ward will be shaded by pro-bowl safety Adrian Wilson, freeing the middle of the field open for Holmes, who's 4.4 speed will be tough to contain in open space.

         Larry Fitzgerald is having a record-breaking postseason, but the emergence of RB Edgerrin James is the main reason why the Cardinals have been put up 25+ points a game in the playoffs against three good defenses. James is averaging close to 4 yards a carry in the playoffs, better than he has been in almost three years. The combination of the new and improved James, and Marion Barber-like clone Tim Hightower will most definitely give the Steelers alot to think about in the next 10 days, and maybe, just maybe, they will overlook a threat like WR Steve Breaston (1000 yard receiver). Don't count on it though.

Great hire by the New York Jets today in naming former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan their head coach. He's been a tremendous defensive mind for the Ravens for the past decade or so, and putting him in charge of team who has a plethora of defensive talent such as S Kerry Rhodes and OLD Vernon Gholston is a decision that will Jets will be very happy about for years to come. The next question is...Will Favre be back? If not, watch for Kellen Clemens to be named the starter, and the Jets 1st round draft pick this season will be spent trading up for either Georgia QB Matthew Stattford or USC QB Mark Sanchez.

           Lastly, I would like to say that just one week ago, I predicted that both Rex Ryan and Jim Schwartz would be named head coaches by weeks end.  One week later, Schwartz went to the Lions and Ryan went to the Jets, so basically I am a genius. Kidding, but if I were to bet again, I would say that Herm Edwards is done in Kansas City by the end of the week, and Oakland will make their decision on who will coach the Raiders in the future. Tough to guess here, I'll take a shot with Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride getting the nod, with other possibilities being ex-head coaches Jim Fassel and Brian Billick and with interim coach Tom Cable also getting alot of consideration.