NFL Week 1 Banter

Week 1 of the NFL season usually brings its share of surprises, flashes in the pan, and bold statements that begin to lay the foundation for the rest of the NFL season. The best way to attack what was an eventful Week 1 is to separate the performances into The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Many of the usual suspects will show up in the Good, while the Bad contains some players and teams that were not a huge surprise. The Ugly is littered with those who were not only bad, but were bad in style.

The Good

With the good, we've gotta begin with Panthers QB Cam Newton. Under much scrutiny due to the failures of previous athletic but inaccurate QB's in the NFL (Vince Young, Tim Tebow, etc.), all Newton did was respond by having the best statistical QB debut of any rookie QB in history. As a Cam detractor, I've got to give him props. We should temper our expectations going forward, as this was only one game (and against the Cardinals D to begin with). And it should be pointed out that his team lost. But at the very least, he's proven that he's capable of being an NFL quarterback. Oh by the way, it helps to have a resurgent Steve Smith catching deep balls and putting up 2007-esque numbers. Along with the QB ilk are some of the usual suspects, Thursday night phenoms Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, who were predictably outstanding. Meanwhile, on MNF Tom Brady and Wes Welker proved that they have a lot left in the tank as a dynamic duo. Brady threw for an insane 500+ yards, while Welker continues to post #1 WR numbers out of the slot. Lastly, a forgotten Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 4 scores against the Chiefs, while everyone else had left the Bills offense for dead. He found 6'7 specimen Scott Chandler for 2 scores, and made everyone think twice about the role of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.

Cam may have been the most watched player this weekend. "He's an athlete, not a passer" is what many an analyst said. All he did in response was throw for 422 yards and prove that he'll never end up in the Akili Smith/Ryan Leaf realm. 

Ray Rice and the Ravens offense went wild in Pittsburgh, while the Ravens Defense coaxed a consistent, conservative offense into 7 turnovers. Darren McFadden went all Barry Sanders on the Broncos defense, rushing for a million yards with no touchdowns. Cedric Benson took awhile to get going for Cincy, but closed the game out for the (1-0) Bengals. Enough so to compensate (???) for the loss of starting QB Andy Dalton. Usual slashers Matt Forte and LeSean McCoy put up huge numbers for their teams, while I'm still not sure what to make of San Diego's Mike Tolbert. A fullback's physique. Looks slow in highlights. But finds the end zone at an amazing clip. A rich man's Charles Way, he's a major reason why the Bolts were able to eke out their win versus the Vikes.

In one of the least interesting games, Tennessee's Kenny Britt shined in a loss with no running game and an aging quarterback. Must have read the PepeVibe's July 21st entry (Not So Goodell?) before the game. All in all, his team still lost, but Britt has proven that at the very least he's a delinquent who can be productive. Some usual suspects put up big games at WR. Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson did Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson things, and Reggie Wayne put numbers up despite playing in an anemic Peyton-less offense. Last, but certainly not least, is the 49ers Ted Ginn Jr., who actually put up better numbers for the 49ers D/ST than he did for himself (in fantasy football circles). Two kick returns to paydirt to seal the game is legit. Although Ginn's performance as a WR in the NFL has certainly been disappointing (for a #9 overall pick), his special teams value cannot be understated.

Umm...Can we get one of these tight ends please?

While many teams (ahem..Giants....ahem) are reeling at the position, Patriots tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski managed to each post Top 5 numbers (13 collective receptions). They've got to be thanking God every night they were drafted into Tom Brady's offense. Fred Davis emerged in Washington to counteract an aging Chris Cooley, while Dustin Keller brought down several key receptions in the Jets gritty win against the Vibe's Cowboys.

The Bad

One of the harder things to do is differentiate between The Bad and The Ugly. It's tough to be "bad" in the NFL without being ugly. We'll start with a few "systems" that disappointed this weekend. The Giants running game and the Buccaneers running game left fans scratching their heads. With proven playmakers in the fold, each failed to give its top two running backs over 20 carries. The Broncos running game, meanwhile, posted fewer than 50 yards. QB Kyle Orton rushed for over half of Knowshon Moreno's total. And he rushed for 13 yards. The 49ers Offense had their own offensive woes, only to be outdone by the Seahawks Offense. With each posting just over 200 yards, I feel badly for anyone who watched this whole game. On Thursday night, a hyped Saints Defense let Super Bowl Champ Aaron Rodgers hang a 42-spot on them. This team will be in the playoffs, but they had better hope they straighten things out on that side of the ball.

Tavaris may help the Seahawks ultimately exact revenge on the Niners...by leading them to the finish line of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. That'll show Jim Harbaugh..

Holdout extraordinaire Chris Johnson was a non-factor for the Titans (49 total yards) opening up the floodgates for scrutiny as to how prepared he is for an NFL season. Staying in the AFC South, poor Kerry Collins completed just over 50% of his passes and fumbled twice in the first half. It's interesting that the Colts landed on him as the security blanket for Peyton. I don't know what else to say, except that it feels like you are watching your grandfather out there taking lumps. It may be strange that I'm mentioning Falcons QB Matt Ryan here, as he threw for 300+ yards, but he failed to orchestrate any kind of productive offense. Meanwhile, he was responsible for 2 turnovers.

Does Gramps still have a few wins left in him? Didn't look like it on Sunday. A modern-day Steve DeBerg...

It's tough to list WR's as "Bad," because sometimes poor numbers are a function of the quarterback or of offensive play as a whole. See the blurb on McNabb and the Vikings below. Chad Ochocinco does not apply here. His quarterback threw for 500 yards, and he had 1 catch for 14 yards. While the Pats are happy with the resounding win, Chad can't be happy with his Week 1 showing.

The Ugly

Where do I begin with Tony Romo...I want so badly to support him. He plays so well, and with swagger, most of the time. But he just morphs into a different person in the 4th quarter. I could write another whole blog about this, but I'm going to take the high road. I won't lie, I thought that Dez Bryant was the best player of the field in the first half of that game. But why was he on the field after he bruised his quad and clearly couldn't run? What's more, why was Romo continuing to target him, especially with Revis covering? Ugh, one demerit to Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.

As ugly as it gets....Has there ever been a player with as much talent who has imploded in clutch moments? He's officially on the clock to show something, or get out of town.

The Redskins looked out of their mind this offseason by jettisoning Donovan McNabb. Boy, do they look like geniuses after Week 1. McNabb was a Ryan Leaf-esque 7/15 for 39 yards. His touchdown pass was countered with a costly pick, and he failed to help the Vikings capitalize on a Chargers offense that could not seem to finish its drives.

And where do I begin with the Chiefs Offense? Matt Cassel managed to throw for just 119 yards while trailing big most of the game. You would think he'd at least compile yards (a la Collins, above). Their leading receivers (Breaston, McCluster, and Leonard Pope) had 26, 25, and 24 receiving yards respectively. Which means that Dwayne Bowe needs to get called out for failing to have an impact on this game.

On Monday Night, the Broncos Front Office has put itself in a position where their starting quarterback (who's actually not too bad) will be in an impossible situation this year. By not trading Orton away, the Denver execs will be listening to "Tebow, Tebow, Tebow" chants all season. The fans have every right to feel that way, wanting to see what their 2010 first round pick has. But Kyle Orton doesn't deserve it. I'm sure he wants to start chanting "We want a running back, we want a running back.."

Giants fans have got to be growing tired of Coughlin's sideline antics and failure to produce on the field.

Last, but certainly not least, is Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants. Let me be clear, this is not a dig. Hell, I'm coming down hard on my own team in this same blog. It's just that the Giants made no moves all offseason, while telling the fans and media that they were "good to go" with the players they had on the roster. Don't get me wrong, they've been hurt by injuries, but their performance on Sunday was nothing short of ugly. Coughlin gets the call out for two reasons. #1 failure to demand that Gilbride call more running plays, and #2 his body language on the sidelines. His looks of exasperation, coupled with his red-faced tirades at officials and his own players, make Eli Manning look like he's got a poker face. I feel bad for Eli. Not because he's got certain receivers who are unreliable. Not because he's got no tight end. You can't hang that whole loss on him, but he's simply just not as good as people want him to be. As a former Super Bowl champ, he's moving more towards Trent Dilfer status than Tom Brady status.

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And to close out the blog...I could care less that Jay Cutler threw for 300 yards, 2TD, and only had one turnover in a Bears win. He still isn't getting props from me. He should consider himself lucky he did not end up in the Ugly section for his despicable aura.

Begins with a D...and rhymes with "whoosh"

2011 NFL Predictions

As the 2011 NFL season begins, we celebrate one of the greatest days of the year (NFL opening weekend) on one of the most somber days of the year (September 11th). While enjoying the games this Sunday, we will most certainly be reflecting on the events of 10 years ago and on the lives that were lost. God bless...


And now without further ado..Predictions for the 2011 NFL divisions!

AFC East

1. Patriots
2. Jets
3. Bills
4. Dolphins

AFC North
1. Ravens
2. Steelers
3. Browns
4. Bengals

AFC South
1. Titans
2. Colts
3. Texans
4. Jaguars

AFC West
1. Chargers
2. Raiders
3. Broncos
4. Chiefs

AFC Outlook
A couple of great divisional battles this year in the AFC, with Jets/Pats and Ravens/Steelers. I think the Jets can gear it up to split 1-1 or maybe even sweep the Pats, but the Pats are more likely to smoke the rest of the division. I forsee the Pats winning it at 13-3 and the Jets finishing 12-4. In the North, the Ravens and Steelers do battle again, while the Bengals may threaten to finish 0-16.

What the Titans lack in dental hygiene they make up for with playmakers such as CJ2K and Kenny Britt. I predict you will see the most consistent play from them this year (of all the AFC South teams)

The AFC South looks like it could be up for grabs. The biggest surprise to my blog readers is probably the choice of the Titans in the AFC South. I just think that they sneak up on people. They have a game manager at QB and the best running back in football, along with an above average defense and some special teams playmakers. The Colts absence of Manning could turn offensive players such as Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon into the "ho-hum" players they were projected to be entering the NFL. The Jags are a mess and could compete with the Bengals, Seahawks, and 49ers for the top spot in the 2012 draft.

Cassel and the Chiefs could be in for a rather harsh return to NFL mediocrity.  They don't have their cake schedule of 2010, and they looked lost in the preseason. With Cassel uncertain for Week 1, it's been exposed that Tyler Palko is their backup QB. It's downright irresponsible for a franchise to roll with a Tyler Palko-type as its #2.

In the West, I think the Chiefs will encounter a harsh return to Earth this year. Their preseason was tumultuous (both on and off the field), and I'm skeptical that Cassel can repeat his performance of 2010. I don't love the Chargers, there's just nobody else there to take the division. The Raiders have to break through one of these years, and their running game gives you hope. It's just that Jason Campbell is their QB. I will be curious to see if the Chargers get off to a slow start this year.

AFC CHAMPION: Baltimore Ravens
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NFC East

1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Giants
4. Redskins

NFC North
1. Packers
2. Vikings
3. Lions
4. Bears

NFC South
1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Buccaneers
4. Panthers

NFC West
1. Cardinals
2. Rams
3. Seahawks
4. 49ers

NFC Outlook
Yeah...I picked the Cowboys. I know I'm a fan, but I really do believe in Jason Garrett. I think they could have one of the most explosive offenses in football this year. As for the dirty birds, the Eagles are an injury away (not going to specify where) from being mediocre. Big Blue has been decimated by injuries, and surprisingly I don't think Rex Grossman is the one to lead the Redskins out of the woods.

Detroit hasn't won consistently against the likes of the Packers, Vikings, and Bears since the days of the immortal Wayne Fontes. When Starter jackets and shark tooth hats were king....

Everyone's hot for the Lions...I think they'll be a tough out this year, but they certainly aren't beating the Pack. Maybe my judgement is cloudy because I haven't seen them win consistently in the NFC North since....well, since they formed the NFC North. I like the Vikings to finish behind Green Bay. The NFC South is pretty cut and dry...I think the Saints are still the team to beat (despite Atlanta's strong regular season last year).

"With the 1st pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the (49ers/Seahawks) select...Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford" Will it be Tavaris Jackson or Alex Smith that leads his team to a #1 overall pick?

As for the NFC West....I really like the Rams to be tougher this year, they just have SUCH a difficult schedule. I think Arizona's Kolb-Fitz connection will carry them to a 9-7 record, good enough for divisional supremacy. The Rams will surge late but their early season schedule will prove too much to overcome. The most exciting race in the NFC West could be between the Seahawks and '9ers for the right to draft Andrew Luck. Pete Carroll will relish the opportunity to throw money at the best available player again (like he did at USC).

NFC CHAMPION: Green Bay Packers
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SUPER BOWL XLVI: Packers 31, Ravens 27

Green Bay repeat...you heard it here first...