Week One Thoughts, Rants, and Raves

[doublee]

First off Ha-Ha!! Dallas lost! :thumbup:

I have to say, not impressed with the Cowboys today. I said when they signed T. O. the money would have been better spent on upgrading the o-line and that bore itself out today. Dallas was more or less dominated the last three quarters of the game. Also, for a defense that is supposed to be one of the better ones in the league they generated little to no pass rush against a line that was having problems just blocking the other team's front four in preseason.

An awful lot of supposed contenders looked anything but today. Dallas goes down in Jacksonville. Carolina looked as though they had game planned for Steve Smith being available today and did not even consider the idea that he might not play. They also called plays as though they just assumed that since Foster ran for something like 300 yards against the Falcons last year he was just going to do it again. On top of that they could not block John Abraham to save their lives. If they don't do something about the o-line play it may not matter when Steve Smith comes back. Micheal Vick still cannot throw downfield to save his life.

Denver loses to what is supposed to be a mediocre St. Louis squad.

The Bucs lay a big egg at home against the Ravens.

I am encouraged by the numbers put up by Philly. It looked like they struggled a bit early but got it together in the second quarter. It is also encouraging to see there was more balance in the play calling with 30 runs and 35 passes. So far the Stallworth acquisition is paying off handsomely to the tune of 141 yards and a TD. And, the revamped defensive front came away with 5 sacks.

Favre and the Packers got their heads handed to them by the Bears today. The first time in Favre's career he got shutout, at home no less. Grossman keeps the vultures at bay for at least another week.

How about the Pats winning a squeaker against the Bills by getting a safety?

[Tarkus]

Chicago exacts a little revenge on the Pack...:thumbup: Grossman plays well enough with only 1 bonehead INT. Favre's look on his face early in the 3rd told the story...a look of defeat.....

Funny what having a real QB in Baltimore can do. Bucs looked like they needed Griese in relief of Simms. A sad showing for Buc fans...sorry, Mush...

T.O. can't solve all of the Cowboy woes & if this continues, expect more media madness when his gums start flappin' & finger pointing...

Carolina was just awful but I wouldn't want to be playing them next week. Vick is still just Vick...:rolleyes:

Those Pats are just somethin' else. What a way to win....

Seattle was lucky to stop the Lions. The Lion D played tough but both offenses should be ashamed...

Bush all over the field in NO's win. Kid may not be worth all the hype but he's worth a lot of it...

Jake the Snake's startin' days'll be #erd if he keeps this up. I thought all the reports of his "re-birth" were exaggerated & today shows why I felt that way...

[coachJ]

MVP of the Dallas-Jacksonville game goes to Drew Bledsoe...he was the best player on the Jaguars today. He was trying to force the ball to TO today too much. Like doublee said, our defense really didnt get a pass rush and our secondary played good at some times and just looked lost at others.

[Tarkus]

MVP of the Dallas-Jacksonville game goes to Drew Bledsoe...he was the best player on the Jaguars today. He was trying to force the ball to TO today too much. Like doublee said, our defense really didnt get a pass rush and our secondary played good at some times and just looked lost at others.

Don't discount some subtle influence since Bledsoe knows how TO reacts when he feels he doesn't get the ball enough in losses. Bledsoe was zeroin' in on TO like he was the only WR out there at times...

[doublee]

Dallas' d-backs looked like they were struggling with the height differences the Jags had on them. Leftwich made some really tight throws though that Dallas had covered fairly well.

Carolina started last season like this losing to the Saints on opening day and starting the season 1-2. But, Wharton's, the starting LT, injury did not look too good though. He was a bit shaky out there to begin with.

[boston_aloha]

How about the Pats winning a squeaker against the Bills by getting a safety?
classic Pats.... always gotta make it a tuff game no matter who they play, but always the same result... the big "W". :thumbup:
I loved Maroney's game today 17 carries for 86 yards

[doublee]

Don't discount some subtle influence since Bledsoe knows how TO reacts when he feels he doesn't get the ball enough in losses. Bledsoe was zeroin' in on TO like he was the only WR out there at times...

Yeah, I know Buck and Aikman mentioned well into the game that it seemed as though Terry Glenn was not even on the field. But, I can't say if that was just due to not wanting to hear Owens' mouth when he got to the sideline or if Glenn was even open or not. Bledsoe did make an effort to get it to Whitten a few times though. The thing is though the line was not giving him a ton of time to look for secondary recievers and there were a lot of times he was just unloading the ball just to get rid of it.

[Alex]

Nothing new in Green Bay. Please Brett, retire already. At least the organization builds towards the future with Rodgers at QB. With Favre at QB, the Packers aren't going to be headed anywhere but further down, if there is any further down to go. Getting shutout by the Bears at home? This is pretty much rock bottom IMO.

[NY Jay 05]

What a great game for the Jets today. Chad Pennington, in his first game back from a second shoulder surgery, went 24/33 for 319 yards. He was making great decisions out there today and threw some pretty long passes. Overall he looked awesome. Coles had a huge game, with over 150 receiving yards. The running game didn't get much going yard-wise, but Kevan Barlow had a TD in his first game as a Jet. The defense did good as well, shutting out the Titans until the 3rd quarter. Next week is the Jets at the Patriots.

[boston_aloha]

Actually I believe its Pats at Jets. Another tuff divisional game IMO.

[Tarkus]

Nothing new in Green Bay. Please Brett, retire already. At least the organization builds towards the future with Rodgers at QB. With Favre at QB, the Packers aren't going to be headed anywhere but further down, if there is any further down to go. Getting shutout by the Bears at home? This is pretty much rock bottom IMO.

I know you're disappointed, Alex, but no way is this able to be put at Favre's feet. The whole team is in disarray & to blame.

Putting in a young inexperienced QB at this stage isn't teaching experience but just feedin' the wolves. Favre had little time in the pocket & no one getting open most of the game. Even tho the run game got a few yards, a lot was too little, too late.

McCarthy did the right thing by goin' with Favre or this could have been a lot uglier....

[doublee]

What a great game for the Jets today. Chad Pennington, in his first game back from a second shoulder surgery, went 24/33 for 319 yards. He was making great decisions out there today and threw some pretty long passes. Overall he looked awesome. Coles had a huge game, with over 150 receiving yards. The running game didn't get much going yard-wise, but Kevan Barlow had a TD in his first game as a Jet. The defense did good as well, shutting out the Titans until the 3rd quarter. Next week is the Jets at the Patriots.

Well, it was the Titans. The Eagles handled the Texans today, but it is the Texans which is why I am not thumping my chest too terribly much.

[boston_aloha]

How bout Trent Green? Whew... that looked like a mean hit.

[doublee]

So far the Giants look like the same team they were last year. The secondary still looks a bit suspect and they are still committing stupid penalties on offense. Eli Manning still does not look like he is quite there just yet as he has been bailed out on a couple of occasions by Burress making a couple of amazing grabs.

[Marc]

Surprised by the poor performings of Tampa, Denver, Carolina, and Green Bay (0 points?). They only gave up two TDs, but I guess you gotta hand it to the Bear D ... Ahman Green looked really good. Had the burst and average 4.5 ypc and had over 100 yards ... it's the one bright spot for the Pack. It feels like Favre needs another weapon out there. Where were his tight ends? I don't remember hearing their names ONCE. Bottom line: bad combo to have rookie coaching staff and very young, rookie-reliant team. Too much inexperience, and NO WINNING ATTITUDE anymore. Favre doesn't seem to be leading.

Scary moment for Trent Green, but he looks to be okay.

[Dublin Mike]

Foulcons looked good, especially on defense. Carolina couldn't stop the run, and I was surprised at how many times Norwood carried. If Vick plays like he did yesterday the rest of the season, they will do okay, maybe even win the division. Another tough test next week in Tampa.

BTW, I knew Abraham was good, but he was a monster all day. He was a terror for the defense. Great debut for Atl.

edit: when I said Vick played okay, I meant he didn't give the game away. If they have to come from way back in the 2nd half of a game, they are done for.

[190 Octane]

Favre is hurting the future of the Packers by not stepping down. It's not his fault this team is so bad, like Marc said it's a young coaching staff and the roster's full of youngsters. Hell, there are two rooks starting on the O-line.

But he needs to let Aaron Rodgers get in there to develop alongside those guys. The offensive linemen/receivers/coaching staff are getting to develop through game experience and when Rodgers inevitably steps in, those guys will be that much further ahead of him.

[bama4256]

I have to be impressed with New Orleans winning their first game of the season on the road. Reggie Bush looked very poised for a rookie. Deuce McAllister looked like the Deuce of old.

QB Drew Brees looked good. Not great but good. This was just a great morale booster for this team.

I was also impressed with Cincinnati beating KC In KC. It's really a tough place to win if your not KC. Rudi Johnson was good as advertised.

Even though Green Bay is probably the worst team in the NFL CHicago looked very good.

I really enjoyed the Manning Bowl last night. Tiki Barber was just fantastic. Neither team gave up. It was a struggle to the end. Good football.

[NY Jay 05]

Well, it was the Titans. The Eagles handled the Texans today, but it is the Texans which is why I am not thumping my chest too terribly much.

Hey, when you're a Jets fan you get excited about any win. Plus it was great to see Chad do so well after the two surgeries.

[doublee]

Foulcons looked good, especially on defense. Carolina couldn't stop the run, and I was surprised at how many times Norwood carried.

You shouldn't be someone is going to have to pick up Duckett's carries and God knows the Falcons don't want to rely on Vick's arm to carry the offense.


BTW, I knew Abraham was good, but he was a monster all day. He was a terror for the defense. Great debut for Atl.

Meh, it also didn't help that the Panthers had to run out a second stringer to block him early in the game and that they thought they could handle him straight up and did very little chipping or doubling him with a back or TE. As I said before poor game planning by the Panthers, they made few to no adjustments during the game, and overall they failed to show up for the game. And, they draft DeAngelo Williams to help share the load with Foster and then he barely plays.

[Pimpbot]

Sean Taylor needs to stop all the petty BS plays. Cost us dearly tonight with the helmet to helmet contact and face mask penalties. And why is John Hall still in the league? the days of him booting 40 plus yarders has long ago.

[Billy D]

What a great game for the Jets today.

Now if only they could play the Titans every week...

Seriously, a little perspective. The Packers and Cowboys looked TERRIBLE, but they were playing the Bears and Jags. The Jets were playing a fellow member of the "Worst Teams of 2005" club. The Cowboys would've creamed the Titans too (not sure about the Pack).

Taking into account who they played....

BEST PERFORMANCE OF WEEK 1: Baltimore Ravens, who handed it to a solid Bucs team with a 27-0 shutout. Falcons must be happy too. Ravens are one team I wouldn't want to get anywhere near this season-- the talented defense is highly motivated, and the QB situation went from D- to B+, especially in the leadership department. McNair and friends appear to be on a mission-- let's see what they do on the road.

WORST PERFORMANCE OF WEEK 1: Seattle Seahawks. Seriously, you needed a last minute FG to beat Jon Kitna and that team? Detroit was horrible. Seattle is lucky that the Cards and Niners are on their schedule, but St. Louis looked better than all of them this week.

[MountaineerDave]

I'm going to rant on the blog (see the sig) sometime in the next day or two regarding Week One, but I would like to make a couple of things known:

1. The Pats look like a team who expected the Bills to be as bad as advertised, only to discover, guess what? this is the NFL, and even a Belichick team can be, at best mediocre. They won, and that's cool for them, but a real QB across the way (either Manning, Palmer, Big Ben, maybe even Matt Hasselbeck, Pennington) beats them. And by a couple field goals at least. They were bad, I thought. And, Steve, while Maroney offers a good deal of speed, do take note of the fact that 50 of those 86 yards came on 2 carries. That's cool, but the average for those other fifteen carries... a pedestrian 2.4 ypc. Doesn't mean anything if he breaks those big ones all the time, but... well...
2. Drew Bledsoe is performing according to schedule. Remember three years ago when he looked like a man reborn in Buffalo? And then about week eight, he fell apart and never recovered, including his second year in Buffalo? And, recall how he was great for the first 8 games a year ago, falling off precipitously for the final 8 games. He's just picking up where he left off last year. I say Romo starts beginning in Week Four.
3. Eli still has a couple years to go. But, I have to say I was surprised the the Manning Bowl was as compelling and good to watch as it was. And, more surprising, I completely agreed with Madden's repeated assertion that the Colts did very little to control the Giants, who were victims of their own misgivings more than they were anything the Colts D could do. The failure of the Colts running game should have folks asking many, many questions. Oh, and I expected the Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka to have a brief and uninspiring NFL career, but he made Tarik Glenn (who may actually be very, very done) look like a rookie, speeding by him on nearly every passing down. In fact, Glenn and NE's Matt Light both looked like LT's whose times as being noted as good is over. Really over.
4. Are Brad Nessler and Dick Vermeil doing games regularly somewhere for ESPN? I love that Vermeil's back in the broadcast booth, and that was the best part of the second MNF game tonight that I saw. (Mostly because I didn't get home from work till there were only 8 minutes left in the game.)

[da12ken]

Thank goodness I didn't watch a second of the Raiders game. Then again, I've been seeing that **** for 3 years.

[boston_aloha]

1. The Pats look like a team who expected the Bills to be as bad as advertised, only to discover, guess what? this is the NFL, and even a Belichick team can be, at best mediocre. They won, and that's cool for them, but a real QB across the way (either Manning, Palmer, Big Ben, maybe even Matt Hasselbeck, Pennington) beats them. And by a couple field goals at least. They were bad, I thought. And, Steve, while Maroney offers a good deal of speed, do take note of the fact that 50 of those 86 yards came on 2 carries. That's cool, but the average for those other fifteen carries... a pedestrian 2.4 ypc. Doesn't mean anything if he breaks those big ones all the time, but... well...
Dave, I agree with you. The win was sloppy - no question. They need work - and they know they need work. I'm not worried about it at this point; a win keeps you happy for 7 days :D

[doublee]

4. Are Brad Nessler and Dick Vermeil doing games regularly somewhere for ESPN? I love that Vermeil's back in the broadcast booth, and that was the best part of the second MNF game tonight that I saw. (Mostly because I didn't get home from work till there were only 8 minutes left in the game.)

Amen to that brother. Fifteen minutes into the broadcast I was thinking man did ESPN drop the ball on their MNF booth. This is the crew that needs to be doing the games every week and not the three stooges who did the first game. But, then again it is all about entertainment as opposed to being knowledgeable about what is going on right?

I don't think they are doing games regularly for ESPN. I am pretty sure Nessler is going to be doing mostly college games this year and I think Vermeil may be doing games for the NFL Network the second half of the year.

Billy D, are you sure you don't want to change your worst performance of the week to the Raiders? What a joke that was. I'll say it now the Raiders will never again be competitive until Al Davis is out of the picture in terms of making football decisions.

I am not sure why the Chargers even bother with a QB. Just put another blocker in for LT and just do direct snaps to him. ;)

So far the NFC East looks like the NFC Least. The 'Skins looked like the same old 'Skins last night. I think ESPN may be confusing being the most competitive division with being the best division.

[NY Jay 05]

Now if only they could play the Titans every week...

Seriously, a little perspective. The Packers and Cowboys looked TERRIBLE, but they were playing the Bears and Jags. The Jets were playing a fellow member of the "Worst Teams of 2005" club. The Cowboys would've creamed the Titans too (not sure about the Pack).

Taking into account who they played....

BEST PERFORMANCE OF WEEK 1: Baltimore Ravens, who handed it to a solid Bucs team with a 27-0 shutout. Falcons must be happy too. Ravens are one team I wouldn't want to get anywhere near this season-- the talented defense is highly motivated, and the QB situation went from D- to B+, especially in the leadership department. McNair and friends appear to be on a mission-- let's see what they do on the road.

WORST PERFORMANCE OF WEEK 1: Seattle Seahawks. Seriously, you needed a last minute FG to beat Jon Kitna and that team? Detroit was horrible. Seattle is lucky that the Cards and Niners are on their schedule, but St. Louis looked better than all of them this week.

Again, anytime the Jets even get a win is great for most Jets fans. At this point I don't care who they beat, a win is a win.

[Anthony]

classic Pats.... always gotta make it a tuff game no matter who they play, but always the same result... the big "W". :thumbup:


Not if you had New England minus 8 points! :(

[boston_aloha]

Not if you had New England minus 8 points! :(
That's what I'm saying... classic NE - they win but never cover. Never, ever take NE giving points... ever

[bama4256]

Jerius Norwood is going to be a good back. The more carries he has the more experience he has. Good for him and the team.

[Heathen]

Well... we didn't lose but our offence looked very rusty. A certain Mr Branch should help in that department.

[suedon1970]

Not if you had New England minus 8 points! :(

I hear ya Anthony - lost $$ on that game and picked Dallas +2....:redhot:

[Ellis]

Super Bowl prediction after week 1:

Giants vs. Ravens.

The Giants definitely looked good enough to win the NFC. The NFC is going to be god awful this year.

The Ravens are going to be so good this year. A QB has been the missing piece on that team for a few years now. They finally got it and they are going to be unstoppable.

Also, Jacksonville's defense has looked pretty sick and Leftwitch is one of the best leaders in the NFL. I like their odds too.

[buckeyefan78]

I'll make my Super Bowl predictions after week 2. :lol:

[Billy D]

Billy D, are you sure you don't want to change your worst performance of the week to the Raiders? What a joke that was. I'll say it now the Raiders will never again be competitive until Al Davis is out of the picture in terms of making football decisions.

I am not sure why the Chargers even bother with a QB. Just put another blocker in for LT and just do direct snaps to him. ;)
Doublee, you should be coaching the Chargers. lol.

You're right, Raiders were the worst... I'm changing it. Initially I was thinking this was not a winnable matchup anyway (which is true), but that was just a miserable performance that has to suck the life out of all Raiders fans. It's worse than the Packers or Seahawks losses.

[boston_aloha]

Super Bowl prediction after week 1:

Giants vs. Ravens.

The Giants definitely looked good enough to win the NFC. The NFC is going to be god awful this year.
Eli is no where near ready IMO. He looks like a scared kid out there everytime I see his face. Someone mentioned that Plexico Buress made two great grabs to bail him out. Giants have a good team, but I won't say they can win the NFC. Granted, the NFC is aweful (again) - but right now I gotta go with:
1. a HEALTHY Panthers
2. Seahawks
3. Cowboys

Funny, I know 2 of those teams lost, and Seattle's win wasn't too pretty with no TD's.

[Anthony]

Here we go again with "the NFC is awful" business.

What has changed since last year, when the AFC won the interconference season series by a staggering 34 to 30? Well what I see as having changed includes the Colts losing their running game, the Patriots losing their whole receiving corps, and the Steelers and Bengals entering this season with injury issues at quarterback - and on the other side, teams like the Cowboys, Falcons and Eagles having done an awesome job of filling needs during the just-concluded off-season (although in the latter's case that wasn't readily evident until just before the regular season started).

[boston_aloha]

Well ok... lets look at the NFC's "so called" best:
The Cowboys lose to the AFC Jax
The Seahawks couldn't even score a TD and squeak by Detriot
(injured) Panthers lose to Atlanta
Bucs get shut-out by an AFC Team.... etc. etc. etc.

[doublee]

Boston, you have to look objectively at the AFC as well, some of their so-called best did not exactly overwhelm this past week either.

-Denver, who was in the AFC Championship game last year, lays an egg in STL against what is supposed to be a pretty mediocre Rams team.
-New England squeaks by a bad Buffalo team.

It is not like the percieved 'AFC Elite' went out and rolled everyone last week either.

[Ellis]

The NFC really does suck. I understand and agree that most of the AFC powers have been weakened, but the NFC has no one. The only respectable team is the Panthers, who have shown that when Steve Smith can't or in unable to preform, they can't they either. Falcons are good, but no where near the Steelers, Colts, Bangles, Ravens.

The Seahawks looked terrible. I know that they just got Deon Branch, but remember that these two things: Shawn Alexander was on the cover of Madden this year and that over the past few years the losing team of the Super Bowl hasn't even made the playoffs the following year.

The Cowboys were supposed to be good, but I have to write them off until they get a quarterback that can get the job done.

[boston_aloha]

Ellis - I agree 100%
Boston, you have to look objectively at the AFC as well, some of their so-called best did not exactly overwhelm this past week either.
-Denver, who was in the AFC Championship game last year, lays an egg in STL against what is supposed to be a pretty mediocre Rams team.
-New England squeaks by a bad Buffalo team.
It is not like the percieved 'AFC Elite' went out and rolled everyone last week either.
I agree to some extent. I never put much stock in Denver so I'm honestly not surprised. Plummer is a horrible QB IMO - always has been. Yeah, Pats played bad, I'll admit that. But Jax and Indi took care of business. I know San Diego got the Dub too but I think our local HS team would of too against that Oakland squad.
NFC's talent just doesn't match up IMO.