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Adam Schein

Adam Schein hosts the "Sirius Blitz" on Sirius NFL Radio from 11-3 ET. He also co-hosts "Loudmouths" on Sports Net New York every weeknight at 6 ET. He is a weekly columnist, files weekly video reports and makes NFL picks "video style" for FOXSports.com.

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Updated Dec 10, 2009 4:47 PM ET
     
 
Let the final quarter of insanity in the NFL begin. We bring it with a game of Boom or Bust, Schein 9 style.

1. The Cowboys and Chargers are frauds

This was my Super Bowl last year, so I know the frustration in banking on these teams. Some call them paper champions. But this is a bust, contrary to popular opinion. Have you noticed how strong a Norv Turner-coached team is in December? They haven't lost during the Christmas season under Norv. That's pretty amazing. Did you see Tony Dungy on television Sunday night saying that the one team the undefeated Colts don't want to face is the San Diego Chargers? Sure, the Chargers sputtered to start the season. Injuries, bad run defense, Shawne Merriman's poor play and a struggling LaDainian Tomlinson were reasons why. But San Diego has hit its stride, winning seven in a row after starting the season 2-3. Philip Rivers is playing incredible football and is fourth on my list for league MVP. Tomlinson has found his stride. Antonio Gates is making plays again. Vincent Jackson is a beast. The defense is making plays and playing with a ton of confidence. You don't want to admit it, but this team can do some damage in the playoffs. And even if the Chargers lose in Dallas, I don't see them folding down the stretch. For the record, I do think they win Sunday and eventually win the AFC West. The Chargers' ultimate upside is winning the Super Bowl this year. And while the task is daunting with their difficult schedule, I still think Tony Romo, Wade Phillips and Co. get it done. I loved how Keith Brooking came to Wade Phillips' defense this week after the coach was getting beaten up by the local news media. That's classic Brooking leadership. Dallas gets two more wins down the stretch, and that's enough to make the tournament.

2. Flozell Adams deserved to be suspended.

BOOM! A $50,000 fine just doesn't seem right when you have a punk who continually acts like a cheap-shot artist. Fifty thousand dollars is a drop in the bucket for a professional athlete. What Adams did at the end of the half against Justin Tuck is unprofessional and part of a consistent pattern of behavior. The only way he will learn is by taking game time away. Adams has embarrassed the league.

3. The Giants will make a run like 2007

This is a bust. The Giants deserve so much credit for the win against the Cowboys on Sunday. But did they show you enough to think they will beat the Eagles this Sunday night? Can the Giants get one more win than the 'Boys, Eagles or Packers down the stretch? I would say no to both. The run defense has been up and down all season. They gave up 180 rush yards to LeSean McCoy and Leonard Weaver in the first game with Philly. DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek are matchup nightmares for the Giants, who have been vulnerable to the big pass play and the strong tight end all year. The effort was remarkable last Sunday. I think the season comes to a thud this week.

4. Mike Holmgren should be the next Seahawks general manager

Mike Holmgren has a Hall of Fame resume. He knows the organization inside and out. But this is a bust. If Holmgren came on as a football czar, like Bill Parcells in Miami, that's a different story. But if you hire Holmgren to be the general manager, you will be looking for a new one in five years when he retires and that's not what you want. The Seahawks are in full-blown rebuilding mode, whether they know it or not. Hire a first-time general manager who has succeeded as a head of college scouting or player personnel. Bring in Ravens executive Eric DeCosta. Give Eagles general manager Tom Heckert full autonomy. Hire Steve Keim, who is the brains behind the Cardinals. Build through the draft. Consider bringing in a new coach. Seattle is a plumb job. The owner has money. It's a great city. The fan support is outstanding. Get some fresh blood and give him five years. Find the next Thomas Dimitroff.

5. Bruce Gradkowski is the next Rich Gannon

My radio co-host was a league MVP and put up Hall of Fame stats late in his career. So this is a bust. But Gannon had a great take this week on the Sirius Blitz, saying Gradkowski reminds him of Jeff Garcia. I see it. And that's a compliment. The kid was a star at Toledo. And in talking to Gradkowski this week on Sirius NFL Radio, it's evident that he has become the leader of the Raiders offense. You can say he's the anti-JaMarcus Russell. He works so hard and wants it so much, like Garcia. He has Garcia's accuracy and mobility. Gradkowski should get a shot to be the guy in Oakland next season.

6. Jacksonville is more battle-tested than Miami

The Jags' head coach, quarterback and running back all have a playoff win in Pittsburgh on their resume. But this is a bust. In talking to Miami receiver Davonne Bess on Sirius NFL Radio, the second-year player said, "I think how we finished last year gives us a lot of confidence and experience and the ability to do it again. And with the way we practice, we are ready for anything." I would agree. Jacksonville is currently a wild-card team at 7-5. But do you really trust the Jags? I have more faith in Chad Henne, Bess, Ricky Williams, the Miami defense and coaching staff when the clubs battle this weekend, and down the stretch of the season.

7. The Jets can beat the Bucs and make the playoffs with Kellen Clemens

This is an absolute boom and an absolute bust. Stay with me. The Jets will beat the Bucs by double digits this weekend in Tampa with Kellen Clemens, Roger Clemens or Roger Rabbit playing quarterback. Raheem Morris challenged two plays unsuccessfully as you were reading this column. The 1-11 Bucs are awful. And the Jets are too strong in other areas. Thomas Jones will get 25-30 carries and with his offensive line, go well over 100 yards. The Jets defense, suddenly sack happy, will suffocate Josh Freeman. And offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Coach Rex Ryan will get Clemens to understand that a punt is a good play in this game. It's going to be conservative, boring and beautiful. But, the Jets won't beat Atlanta with Clemens, who did look awful after Mark Sanchez got hurt against Buffalo. If the Jets are going to make a run, and I think the 6-6 Jets will still have life going into Week 17 with their Week 16 opponent likely being the Colts' back-ups, the need the suddenly efficient Sanchez to get back next Sunday.

8. Leonard Weaver is the first-team All-Pro fullback

I understand that this is not exactly a topic that dominates my radio show, my FOXSports.com inbox, or water cooler talk. But I wanted to give Weaver some love and respect. He has my vote. It's a boom.
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Weaver's had a great season in Philly as a lead blocker, a surprising threat as a runner and receiver in the absence of Brian Westbrook, and team leader. He's made some huge plays in big wins against the Giants and Falcons. In talking to Weaver on Tuesday on Sirius NFL Radio, he gives Andy Reid the credit for taking care of his veterans. And as FOXSports.com senior video producer Christian Andersen said to me this week when I told him how much I liked Weaver's play, "Look at where the Seattle run game is without Weaver." Great point, Christian.

9. The Ravens should strip Cam Cameron of his play-calling duties

I cannot believe this has actually become a topic in Baltimore this week with the Ravens falling to 6-6. Cam Cameron is an excellent play caller. He didn't tell Joe Flacco to throw across his body on second down. In Baltimore, the 3-6 record in the last nine games has to do with execution, not coaching. It's a bust. For a daily Boom or Bust on New York Sports, watch Schein and Chris Carlin weeknights at 6 EST on SNY (DIRECT-TV 639). Listen to Schein and Rich Gannon on the Sirius Blitz from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. EST on Sirius NFL Radio Channel 124. On NFL Sundays, join Schein for the Sirius NFL Tailgate show from 9 a.m.-noon EST. and then immediately after every Jets game on SNY for Jets Postgame Live. Follow Schein on Twitter at twitter.com/AdamSchein.
Tagged: Dolphins, Vincent Jackson, Brent Celek, Giants, Jets, Mark Sanchez, Eagles, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Ravens, DeSean Jackson, Kellen Clemens, Chargers, Philip Rivers, LeSean McCoy, Brian Westbrook, Justin Tuck, Josh Freeman, Chad Henne, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Joe Flacco, Leonard Weaver, Keith Brooking, Thomas Jones, Flozell Adams, Jeff Garcia, Shawne Merriman, JaMarcus Russell, Ricky Williams, Cowboys, Packers, Colts, Tony Romo, Raiders, Bruce Gradkowski

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