Just the 22 Of Us...

As was pointed out in the comments section, the Bottom 10 gets a little screwy in the weeks where certain team analysis categories are not completed, as some teams are penalized because I, in my slowness, have not covered their division yet. This is a true and valid point, but one for which there is not a perfect solution. That is why I start with a different division for each category. Plus, it shakes things up a little bit from week to week. If a team ends up on the wrong end of the draw and falls into the Bottom 10 because they haven't been scored in a category yet, then they better hope they've got a strong enough appeal to keep from getting cut.

Even if I were to eliminate the uniform/logo/color points for every team, the bottom 5 remains unchanged. Besides, let's face it, I've got a pretty good idea where a lot of the teams will fall out in the future rankings as well. I don't think anybody is getting cut who isn't bound to get cut anyway. If these teams had actual ears (and cared about this at all) I'd just tell them they should have done well enough in the other categories, then this wouldn't be an issue.

So with that said, let's review this week's Bottom 10 one more time...

Chicago Bears -28

Tennessee Titans - 27

Jacksonville Jaguars - 25

Indianapolis Colts - 22

Minnesota Vikings - 19

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 19

Baltimore Ravens - 18

Carolina Panthers - 18

Houston Texans - 17

New Orleans Saints - 15

And now, the cuts.  This week really came down to 3 teams, all 3 of which have been regulars in the Bottom 10, but for different reasons.  One is an organization with an uncertain future, one has a bright future but a rocky past, and the other, well, I just have no feelings for.  So which two are out?

Carolina Panthers: Here's the deal Panthers, I just have no feelings for you. Not good ones, not bad ones, just none. I don't like you, I don't dislike you, I'm completely apathetic. We both deserve better than that. Don't act surprised, we both know that your best attribute was that you were convenient. Outside of that, we've really got nothing. Best of luck and maybe I'll see you around.

New Orleans Saints:  Am I really going to eliminate the best team in the NFL who also happens to be the 3rd closest team to me? Yes. The bottom line is this: if I pick the Saints this year of all years, I'll never be able to look the true, longtime Saints fans in the eyes. Their fans have been completely tortured by bad football since the team's formation and are finally starting to feel like they arrived. If I jump on now, I'm basically the NFL equivalent of the guy who has been a Red Sox fan "since 2003". "How long have you been a Saints fan?" "Since 2009." "Oh, since their best year in franchise history? Congratulations." As a matter of fact, I doubt the true Saints fans even want me on their bandwagon right now, it's probably already getting crowded as it is. Sorry Saints, but you're a victim of your own success this time. I'm eliminating you out of respect for the real Saints fans who are finally reaping some benefits for years of true, painful fandom.

So who was the 3rd team?  The Jaguars.  Maybe it was the calendar, or maybe it's just the mystery of where this team is going to be 3 years from now.  I'm just not quite ready to pull the plug quite yet.  They, along with 21 others, live to see another week.