Why is Travis Henry still playing football? Is smoking pot ok in the NFL now? Is the NFL getting its drug policy cues from MLB?

Shanahan vouched for Henry yesterday, saying,  "If I thought the test was positive, Travis would not be on our football team" after the team administered it's own hair test and polygraph. Thanks coach, like no one thinks you wouldn't do whatever it takes to keep your star running back on the field. Henry failed a random drug test in early October. Setting up a non-random, team sanctioned test 6 weeks later does not inspire a lot of confidence.

Travis Henry was suspended in earlier in the year, but went to court for an injunction to keep him playing. The league already has an appeals process, so I'm not sure why this judge sent down an injunction, but the NFL can't be to happy with its players going outside the union for redress. The whole point of a union (well, at least 50% of the point) is to solve problems internally. If Henry's appeal is overturned, look for him to be done with the NFL.

The NFL does a pretty good job keeping players out of trouble, and trouble players out of the league. Once this comes back from the courts they need to send a clear message that drugs, and external court appeals will not be tolerated. The NFL scores should be the headlines, not the conduct of its players.

In anticipation of a Seattle victory tonight, I present the Seattle Sea Gals. All images pop to a slightly larger version.

In the NFC game of the week, the Washington Redskins (5-4) go to Dallas (8-1) to play the Cowboys on Sunday, November 18th at 3:15.

This is a divisional game, both teams coming from NFC East. Any game between division rivals is interesting to watch, what makes this game more important for the Redskins is their Division record, which stands at 1-2. The Redskins lost to the Giants and recently the Eagles, and they can't really afford another division loss if they want to keep any playoff hopes alive.

This is also the first meeting between Dallas and the Redskins this year, so it will be interesting to see how they match up against each other. This has the makings of a good game, a good offense (Dallas) against a good defense (Washington). While Washington's defense has slipped a bit lately, they are still above average in yards allowed per game (11th) and rushing yards allowed per game (10th). They were ranked higher earlier in the year, but they gave up a lot of points to New England (55) and last week to the Eagles (33).

Dallas on the other hand, is on a tear. They are arguably the best team in the NFC, having lost only to the best team in the NFL, the New England Patriots. The Cowboys offense is 2nd in the NFL in points and overall yards, third in passing yards and 10th in rushing. Dallas' average victory over the past 3 games? 14 points. They are winning, and they are winning big.

While the Cowboys are the better team overall, but they could be ripe for an upset. They have the 3rd ranked passing offense in the league, but that could be slowed down a bit against the 10th ranked passing offense. They are also coming off a big win against the Giants and my stumble a bit, especially looking ahead to the Jets and then the big showdown against the Packers. If the Redskins find a way to at least slow down TO, they might have a chance.

Prediction: Dallas wins, 24-14.

The San Fransisco 49ers play the Seattle Seahawks November 12th on Monday Night Football.

This is probably not the match up the NFL was hoping it would be. The 49ers (2-6) are playing very poorly and the Seahawks (4-4) are playing decent, but most people thought they would be better, especially with Shaun Alexander.

The good thing for the Seahawks is that in the NFL, you are almost always only 2 games away from turning your season around and they are playing in the anemic NFC West. That and they are playing the 49ers.

The 49ers are last or almost last in almost every significant offensive category. They are 31st in points, 32nd in total yards, 32nd in pass yards and 26th in rushing yards. Their defense is better, but not a whole lot, 24th in points allowed, 20th in total yards, 14th in pass yards and 24th in rush yards allowed.

Look for the Seahawks rushing game to get back on track this week as they extend thier division lead.

Prediction: Seahawks over the 49ers 24-10

When is the NFL going to let the defense play again and keep games out of the hands of refs?

I just watched Green Bay vs Kansas City and Indianapolis vs New England and the refs were mugging the defenses.

The calls against Green Bay on Woodson that setup the Chiefs 2nd touchdown and the call on Bush in the back of the end zone on the two point conversion were non-existent.

Then the zebras give Indy 2 chances for a touchdown in the first half, the second of them being the most offensive.

Let them play the game already, quite having the refs decide the games.