Extra Points: Week 8

READ AND REACT
Clinton Portis reads Extra Points. No question. Last week we reported that Redskins wide receivers had yet to catch a touchdown pass, while the Patriots’ group already had 19. Two days after our earth-shattering feat of second-grade addition appeared, the Washington running back had this to say: “I think we’ve got more talent than anybody, including the Patriots. You look at the receiving corps they put together, I think our receiving corps is just as talented.” Portis is, of course, spectacularly incorrect about all of that. After Sunday’s humiliation, New England’s group extended its lead to 21 to 0. We’re not sure if Portis’ declaration was a smackdown of us, his coaches, the wideouts’ underachievement or of his second-grade math teacher, but anytime we can get in a player’s head...

I DON’T GOT YOU, BABE
While we’re on that subject: Wilt Chamberlain, in his early years, is often cited as the most dominant player in sport relative to his competition. In 1962, he scored 4,029 points (50.4 PPG, if you’re averaging at home), with the runner-up checking in at a meager 2,495 — a margin of 61 percent. Which brings us back to Brady. As the purveyor of 13 more TD chucks than any other quarterback in the league right now, his margin over No. 2 (the improbable Derek Anderson) is 76 percent — a slam dunk over Wilt. But...In 1920, Babe Ruth hit 54 home runs when his closest pursuer had 19. Let’s say the second-highest total of TD tosses in the NFL turns out to be what it was last year: 28. To be truly Ruthian, Brady would have to throw 80 of them. A mere six and change per game the rest of the way will do it. Yeah we know this is, as our Commander in Chief might say, “fuzzy math.” But you get the drift.

BUMP AND RUN
Extra Points’ recurring installment of slapdash observation and imprudent opinion:

Credit to SI’s Peter King for this astounding stat: The Dolphins drafted or traded for 59 players between 1998 and 2003. None...we repeat, none...are on their current roster.

If you’re in an inherently dangerous profession and need a $30 million insurance policy to protect you from a possible career-ending injury, you can get one for $150,000 cash on the nose. That’s what Tony Romo did to hedge his bets until he took a pen to that new deal.

As if Mike Vrabel’s two sacks and a TD reception in the same quarter weren’t production enough, he tortured the Redskins later with a sack (on which a fumble was recovered for a TD) and a recovery of an on-side kick.

Of the four picks thrown by Brian Griese against the Lions, three came in the end zone. He’s averaging 2.5 interceptions per game, compared to 1.5 for Rex Grossman.

The Saints haven’t allowed a sack in a month.

Not only were the Bucs beaten by a quarterback (Quinn Gray) who had never started an NFL game, but all three Jacksonville TDs were scored by players (Aaron Glenn, Matt Jones and LaBrandon Toefield) who hadn’t yet had one in 2007.

Ohio native Ben Roethlisberger is now 5-0 in Cincinnati and 4-0 in Cleveland.

QUOTABLE
Excerpts from the London Times account of the Giants-Dolphins game at Wembley Stadium:

“It was a shame that the American visitors did not indulge in soccer-style chants, such as the cry of `You’re s**t!’”

“[The Dolphins] gave up penalties on three successive attacking plays...Nevertheless, the team persevered, reducing arrears through Feely’s field goal.”

Excerpts from some letters to the editor of the London Times:

“The sport itself has no real aim, it’s just a bunch of overgrown men taking a break every time someone drops the ball.”

“Rugby is American football for men.”

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