It's worth spending a couple of moments to preempt the inevitable discussion of Adrian Peterson as this year's NFL MVP, or even the league's best running back. It's true, after his fine performance against the Packers yesterday, Peterson now leads in one important category: rushing yards. An impressive feat to be sure. But how do his numbers stack up to other runningbacks around the league Clinton Portis?

Well, let's go back to those rushing yards. Peterson has carried the ball 206 times for 1,015 yards (4.927 yards per carry); Portis, 200 for 995 yards (4.975 yards per carry). Most sports websites will round Peterson's down to 4.9 and Portis's up to 5.0, but the difference is only an extra 1.72 inches per carry for Portis, not statistically significant at any reasonable sensitivity level, even when ignoring potential measurement error effects (officials spotting the ball imprecisely). Bottom line, Peterson rushed for 20 more yards on 6 more carries. Ho hum. Point reluctantly goes to Peterson, but only so the end tally appears somewhat impartial.

Touchdowns: 7 to 7. ...Next.

Fumbles: Peterson has 4, including 3 recovered by the opposing defense; Portis has 1, also lost. Point goes to CP.

Versatility: Both players have made minor contributions in the passing game. Portis's 150 yards top Peterson's 98, and actually put him over the top when it comes to total yards (1,145 to 1,113). Oh, and "not everyone knows this, but Portis is the best pass protecting RB blocker in the league." Point goes to CP.

Match-ups - the coup de grâce. I don't know of a single coherent argument that the NFC North is as tough of a division as the NFC East, so the previous comparisons greatly benefit Peterson (although not to the same extent as comparing Babe Ruth to others like Hank Aaron). So let's set aside every game these two backs have played - except for their shared opponents:

Clinton Portis: 45 rushing attempts for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns, with no fumbles. Peterson: 46 rushing attempts for 143 yards, no touchdowns, and 2 fumbles lost. Point goes to CP.

Final Tally: Portis 3, Peterson 1.

At the end of week 3, the NFC East is 8-0 in non-division games.   Not counting losses to the division, the fallen opponents are collectively 7-6, including two division leaders.  Here's the list, with non-NFC East results in parentheses (NFC in bold):

Arizona* (2-0)

Green Bay* (2-0)

Pittsburgh (2-0)

New Orleans (1-1)

St. Louis (x2) (0-1)

Cincinnati (0-2)

Cleveland (0-2)

* Division leader

This is the road map to 3 teams in the playoffs...

A quick one.

Deadspin's always entertaining, especially when Unsilent Majority is writing about the Redskins (or the Terps).  His Skins seasons preview today is certainly worth linking to.

Bristol Palin could give birth to Barak [sic] Obama's baby at L'Enfant Plaza and all anybody would want to talk about is Colt Brennan's viability as a gunslinging NFL quarterback.

Enjoy.

Yes, I know. "Firstgameofthepreseasonandplayingagainstthesecondandthirdstringdefenses." But, putting that aside, Colt Brennan was masterful.

To put Brennan's numbers (9-10 for 123 and 2 TDs) into perspective, here's the box score of Jason Campbell's first preseason game. Ouch.

Entirely to create controvery where there is none, I say... Colt, lock and load!

Folks, I'm wrapping up a M.A. in Economics, which involves putting the finishing touches on a master's thesis.  It also means that I haven't had any free time to post on the site, or do much of anything else in my free time.  It'll all be worth it in the long run, but I digress.

The point of the post: I don't have time to host / be the commissioner for the 2nd season of the HHFFL.  Any volunteers? 

Anyone know what the deal is with Erin Henderson not getting drafted?  The Redskins need to sign the kid, unless he's somehow kept his eligiblity and will return to Maryland next year.

Mel Kiper, Jr. had him as a lock for the fourth round, but he just kept dropping and dropping.  If you don't know about his specific case, what are the rules for college eligiblity?  I know they are forfeitted if you hire an agent, but is this also the case for entering the draft?

Redskins trade the #21 overall pick to Atlanta for... ???

Welcome news to this fan, but perhaps I should wait for the details.

WILD SPECULATION: Redskins trade for both of Atlanta's 2nd round picks!

#2: Washington Trades for Atlanta's 1st round pick in 2010 and the rights to Michael Vick.

Part of the Sammy Baugh fan club series and complete with tacky music.

Todd Collins (4-0)
QB Rating of 106.4.
67/105 passing (63.7%) for 888 yards (8.5 Y/A) with 5 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
Sacked 7 times for 47 yards, 4 fumbles (2 lost).

Jason Campbell (5-7)
QB Rating of 77.6.
250/417 passing (60.0%) for 2700 yards (6.5 Y/A) with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Sacked 21 times for 110 yards, 13 fumbles (8 lost)
Also added 14.2 rushing yards per game, often in key situations.

Other options: Mark Brunnell (goes to church with Joe Gibbs), Sam Hollenbach (2006 Champs Sports Bowl MVP), Clinton Portis (158.3 QB Rating this season, would make for a very mobile quarterback), or Antwaan Randle El (threw a touchdown pass in Super Bowl XL).  Oh, and Jeff George is probably still looking for a team.