Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Here's What I thought of Week One

Maybe you missed these stories from the NFL's first week, maybe you didn't.

-The Kansas City defense was a truly pitiful unit last year. A unit that had trouble getting off the field and was seemingly littered with first round flameouts had alot to do with the Chief's 4-12 record last year. Outside Linebacker Tamba Hali and Cornerback Brandon Flowers had really the only notably positive seasons.
But Monday night against San Diego, suddenly those first round ne'er-do-wells grew up. Defensive Lineman Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey had received mixed reviews throughout their first couple years in the league. On monday, San Diego struggled to establish their running game as both Jackson and Dorsey rarely were moved out of their gaps and frequently penetrated the Charger's backfield . Linebacker, Derrick Johnson showed immense talent at The University of Texas, but never quite realized that same talent at the pro level. His underachieving career finally came to a head this pre-season when he mostly played on the second defense throughout training camp.
Monday night he may have had the best game of any linebacker on opening weekend. Suddenly this doesn't seem like such a long season in Kansas City.

-Bob Sanders, Orlando Pace, Steve McNair. What do these three players have in common? They're the reigning and former kings of the 'it's only a matter of time before they get injured' category. Backup Strong Safety Melvin Bullitt has made a career out of Bob Sander's reliability (or is it the other way around) and is quick to remind us that Indianapolis doesn't lose much with him on the field. If Sanders keeps going down like this, Bullitt will become a household name.

-Let's play a game of 'Who Said It?'. Which Quarterback had the following quote on Sunday?
"I played terrible. It was as bad as I can play. I've got to be better. I missed alot of throws. The defense played good. We made enough plays to win. I personally made too many dumb mistakes."

A) Matt Moore, Carolina: 14/33, 182 yds., 1 TD's, 3 INT'S, 32.6 QB Rating, Loss
B) Matt Ryan, Atlanta: 27/44, 252 yds., 0 TD's, 1 INT, 67.6 QB Rating, Loss
C) Aaron Rodgers: 19/31, 188 yds., 2 TD'S, 2 INT'S, 73.1 QB Rating, Win

The answer is C) Aaron Rodgers.

-Criticize Eagles Coach Andy Reid all you want for any of the shoddy game management strategy he has displayed in the past, because you can forget it all. On Sunday the shoddiest decision he could have ever made was allowing Middle Linebacker Stewart Bradley back out on the field after watching him fall to his knees due to an apparent concussion, and that's exactly what he did.

-And speaking of the Eagles, Cornerback Ellis Hobbs is going to get picked on alot this year. Belichick and the Patriots let him and fellow Corner Asante Samuel walk for a reason.

-Charger's QB Philip Rivers shouldn't hold himself in too high a regard that he can't bring himself to see an anger management specialist. Rivers' on-field tantrums do nothing for a team that has repeatedly burned out when the games really start to count.











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