Monday, September 29, 2008, 08:29 AM EST
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General]
DAL-WAS
A Redskins team that didn't look ready for game 1 after 5 weeks of preseason took it to Texas' team today. This is why they don't give out trophies after 3 weeks. Here's what we know about the Redskins, they're rapidly improving, much like their QB Jason Campbell. It looks like Jim Zorn's tutelage is really beginning to pay off for Campbell. The knock has been that Campbell doesn't go through his progressions. I really enjoyed watching Troy Aikman (the most football smart commentator I've seen/heard) demonstrate how Campbell found his 3rd option on a TD pass.
Here's what we know about the Cowboys. They're a "play from ahead" team. It's always funny when the media anoints a SB Champ in week 1. It's hilarious when they haven't won a playoff game in 10 years. Dallas is clearly a top team, don't get me wrong. But yesterday's game, with a team few thought could keep up with the Starheads, was never really in doubt.
Here's the best part though; Terrell Owens crying to the press that the team lost because he wasn't getting the ball after 17 passes and two handoffs yesterday. Owens even had the gall after dropping a a potentially game changing TD pass late. So let's get this straight, Jerry Jones pours a ton of money into malcontents and lawbreakers, then tells good ol' boy wade Phillips to keep an eye on 'em. Getchya' popcorn ready!
BUF-STL
I'm not sure Scott Linehan knows how to spell his last name, much less coach an NFL team. When you consider that the best and worst players in the NFL are separated by fractions, no team is as bad as the Rams play. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that the Rams fired Linehan this morning, which (considering Mort's record for scoops recently) probably means Linehan probably got a 5 year extension. I'm being too harsh though, at least Mort got the Brett Favre trade to Tampa right.
On the other hand, it had to be a strange sensation for the usually hapless Jills to know they were just toying with the Rams. If they continue to be unable to score in the 1st half though, times could get tuffalo in Buffalo. Buffalo has two wins that could very well have been losses.
TEN-MIN
Does any team in the NFL hit like the Flaming Thumbtacks? For years, the alleged physical teams go into TEN and get their butts made into hats. Nothing new this week. TEN beat up the 1-3 Vikings and made AP a non-factor. Of the undefeated, only TN looks legit. If the Preseason Champion Cowboys had to go to TN right now . . . . .well, getchya' stretchers ready.
Mike Ditka said about the Titans "until somebody beats them, they're gonna be undefeated". Yup, that's what he said. Move over, John Madden.
Even Gus Frerotte knows the Tuxedos are hitters. He had an equipment guy call his wife after a big hit to tell her he was okay. Maybe he should have called a WR to tell them he was going to throw a TD pass instead. Thank goodness the Vikes had Tarvaris Jackson waiting on the sideline when Frerotte cut his hand (probably on the point on top of his head). Having Jackson as a backup is like having someone tell you they'll jumpstart your car, and then hooking the cables to a pineapple.
TB-GB
This game surprised me, but not really. GB is considerably more talented, and was due for a better game after last week's dip against Dallas. But never underestimate the motivation a tragedy can bring to a team. Whose heart doesn't go out to Matt Bryant? If you weren't cheering for him, you're not human.
I thought it was kinda curious that Aaron Rodgers is giving out his own medical reports, though. He really is trying to fill Favre's shoes, at least in establishing a personal relationship with the media. He's not trying to break Favre's ironman record though. So right now, the Pack is 2-2 and the Jets are 2-2. Ted Thompson and Eric Mangini are in a dead heat.
NYJ-ARI
Once again, alien Curt Warner has been replaced by human Curt Warner. You know, the one whose fumbles and picks got him kicked out of two other cities. Let's face facts about Warner. He's still capable of streaks, and when he's hot, he can light it up. But he's not a 16 game QB, and hasn't been for 5 years now. Matt Leinart better start preparing for action. On the other side, who woulda thunk Broadway Brett would have his best game ever in a Bretts uniform? We all expected the Bretts to win, but come on now. I loved the deep ball on fourth and one though. Something told me they'd challenge the field on that one.
On a more serious note, what the hell was going on with the hit on Anquan Boldin? I'm stunned (and thrilled) that Boldin is able to move today. The way Boldin fell made me think of Jack Tatum's kill shot on Darryl Stingley. It's going to take more than piddly fines to stop the headhunting in the NFL these days. It takes coaching. Coaches need to require and reinforce sound fundamentals. Tackling is a simple job: 1. Hit 2. Wrap 3. Drive. The rule is, hit what you see. With the size, speed and force of players increasing every year, coaches must take a firm stance on this or the ambulance is going to be heading to the morgue instead of the ER very soon.
CAR-ATL
This may have the only game in betting history where no one took the underdog. There are better days ahead for the Falcons, but this was not going to be one. And don't wonder why John Fox is splitting time between his backs. It's a two back league now, and Fox wants Stewart when the weather gets cold. With Mushin Muhammad and
I'm interested to see how Jake Delhomme's arm holds up for a full season, but thus far he looks no worse for wear. It's kind of amazing how far sports medicine has come when you think that both Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana were wrecked by the same injury.
NO-SF
Drew Brees is a premier NFL QB. He's putting up huge numbers throwing to guys who couldn't be identified in a police lineup. JT O'Sully, he's just hoping to become an answer to a trivia question; not just the one about who threw two picks in the end zone Sunday, either. I don't even know who else SF has at QB, but Mike Nolan is kidding himself if he thinks he's got a legitimate starter in JT. NO is starting to play well, the Deuce got his motor running today.
SD-OAK
By the way, Philip Rivers is good. Right now, all the hype is on Jay Cutler, and Cutler deserves a lot of it. But is any QB capable of lighting it up better than Rivers right now? Rivers does in one quarter what is a huge game for most QB's, and he did it again yesterday.
Still, it wouldn't have happened if Raiders hadn't left the door wide open for the Chargers. Ever since Jar-Jar Russell ascended from the swamps of Naboo (LSU) to play QB for the Faders, FG's are the order of the day in Oakland. Russell did have a "KStew special" TD pass yesterday. That's when you hit a guy in the seam for about 12 yards and he breaks lose for the remaining 40. The bad news is that the silver and black invested huge money in marginal position players so it's likely that they can't afford a decent backup while someone teaches Russell how to play QB.
DEN-KC
Who didn't see this coming? Even the best offense has a subpar game. Even the worst D shows up for work, now and then. Denver always struggles in KC. Larry Johnson was way overdue for a big game . . . . . I would have paid a few dollars to hear Herman Edwards open the press conference by saying "We played to win the game".
But it's one week folks, Denver will be back. KC will not. Bill Cowher is watching closely from the CBS studio every Sunday. Of course he's keeping his eye on the Browns too.
CIN-CLE
These two teams played yesterday.
JAX-HOU
The good news for Jax; David Garrard had a sound game yesterday. The bad news; it was versus the Houston Houstonians, or is it the Texas Texans? I have to paraphrase the great John Madden speaking of his legendary man crush Brett Favre; "David Garrard is David Garrard". Garrard did what he does best yesterday, protected the ball, made a few key running plays and beat a below average team. Wayne Weaver invested a king's ransom in a guy whose best effort gets a phenomenal rushing attack and dominant defense one week into the postseason.
Then again, HOU invested a wad of cash in a guy whose legacy was being the best QB on ATL's roster. Looking back, Mike Vick didn't set a high bar over which to jump. After Schaub's brilliant performance against NE a few years back, I have to admit that I was sold on him. It's clear now that his team mates are not sold on him. HOU is a much better team with Sage Rosenfels under center. That's right, the Houstonians best QB is an herb.
PHI-CHI
The Bears could have been 3-0. But no one even gave that a second thought after the Eagles blitzed 17 guys on every play in a win against the Steelers. McNabb was back and the Eagles were #2 to the preseason NFL Champion Cowboys. A funny thing happened last night. An Eagles offense that managed only 13 points against the Steelers (despite the Steelers D being on the field most of the game), managed only 20 against The Bears. The offensively challenged Munchkins of the Midway made the necessary adjustments to expose Jimmy Johnson's send 'em till they stop 'em High School game plan. Give Johnson his due. He saw a Steelers OL that hadn't played together very long, and wasn't competent at pass blocking and exploited it. But golly Jim, it's the NFL. Gimmicks and gambles do not a season make. As for McNabb, he's hurt again. Westbrook, hurt again. Buckhalter, hurt again.
PIT-BAL
Mike Greenberg (ESPN's Mike & Mike) says the Steelers will wrap the AFCN in November. From his lips to Pittsburgh's ears. What I've seen is that Mike Tomlin is showing an odd combination of inexperience and wisdom. His inexperience shows in games where the Steelers get punched in the mouth (see Philly 15-6) and can't recover. His wisdom shows when he drafts skill players when position players are also needed. Tomlin is a big-picture, long-haul guy, without doubt. That said, I question his assistant choices. The whole 52 Okie, ZB scheme played out years ago, yet Tomlin allows Dick LeBeau to continue the schemes that beat bad teams, against good teams. On offense, Bruce Arians is showing the same skill that got him fired at perennial college football powerhouse, Temple. At least Arians needs to get better quick, or the big picture will have Big Ben in a Big Body-cast.
The Ravens are an enigma. Actually, they're an enigma, wrapped in a conundrum, sheathed in a mystery. They're a shell of the defense they were in the early part of the decade, but they still manage to play like there's blood in the water. They still haven't fielded a legitimate #1 WR this decade. They have a rookie QB who didn't even know he'd be starting until a few days before the regular season. Yet they look hard to beat. Tonight's game is impossible to call.
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