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thoughts and observations |
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WEEK ONE REVIEW
There were plenty of surprises on week one of the 2001 NFL season, but probably none more surprising than the Panther win over the Vikings. I wondered after the death of Corey Stringer if they would be hurting on the line. They've lost a lot of players the past two seasons, and it looks like there may be a problem there. Daunte Culpepper was only sacked once, but was intercepted three times. But more than that, the running game, although hardly used, was not up to snuff. And the Vikings were never out of the game through three-plus quarters. Maybe I'm wrong, but the line used to be a strength, and now it's not. The Panthers have a rebuilt defense, but it cannot be that good.
And let's not forget the Vikings defense. Chris Weinke looked like a seasoned veteran, after many pundits were saying the defense had improved. It hasn't, and now they will fight from a hole. I anxious to see how they will look against the Ravens this week.
While the Rams almost blew the game against Philly, it was an impressive outing when you consider that this is probably the worst the Rams offense will play all season, and the defense will continue to get better.
How about those Bucs and Titans? I told several people during July that I thought the Titans would take a step back. Everyone kept saying they were at their best yet with that addition of Kevin Carter. They're secondary is hurting, and Carter will not be the difference maker everyone thought.
What really concerns me is the Titans offense. It's just really not that good. McNair will make some things happen, but he doesn't command a game like the better quarterbacks. Plus, he's taken a lot of punishment from running over his career, and it's catching up to him, as evidenced with his shoulder injury. He has taken too many hits.
Then there's Eddie George. I respect Eddie George, and am not saying he's a good back. It's the great back label I wonder about. He's pure power, that's for sure, but he gets a lot of credit for someone who never averages over four yards per carry. He gets a lot of yards because he gets the ball over and over. Which means he takes a lot of punishment, too. So here you have another guy who could decline the same way Earl Campbell did after so many carries.
All in all, I'm not sold on the Titans as the league's best team...or even the AFC's.
Now consider the Bucs. Where did Brad Johnson reach his fame? In Minnesota, very good. Who were the players surrounding him? A great offensive line, Robert Smith, Cris Carter and then Randy Moss for a short time. Oh, and Jake Reed was in his prime before Moss came. After that, Johnson went to Washington, and had the benefit of Michael Westbrook, Stephen Davis and Albert Connell. While not as strong a cast as he had with the Vikings, that's really not too bad. But he washed out. Do you see where I'm going with this? He's above average, but that's not saying a lot. The Bucs still have no offense, and I'm not sold that the defense can continue to carry them through. Let's consider that the Cowboys should easily be the league's worst offense through the season.
Let's take a look around at some more...
Tight Ends
Tight ends seemed to be the players of the day Sunday. I can't remember a Sunday where they were so active. Sure, Tony Gonzalez had a pretty quiet day...for him (5 catches, 81 yards), but several made a mark in games. Consider this, Ernie Conwell, Cam Cleeland, Tony McGee, Damon Jones, Bubba Franks, Marcus Pollard, Jermaine Wiggins and Erron Kinney all scored. And several others, like Wesley Walls, Anthony Becht and Byron Chamberlain all had pretty good days. Is the NBA missing some power forwards?
The Bengals
This may not be a bad team. Jon Kitna will make some things happen, and the skill players are there. The defense needs to be better, but will be when Justin Smith is ready to play. It doesn't help that they play the Ravens and Titans twice, starting this Sunday, but don't be surprised if the Bengals score some points in the games outside those two.
Defense over Offense
It usually is the case on opening day that defenses are more ready than the offenses, but if you look again and consider all the tight ends that scored, consider that eight teams did not score a touchdown on Sunday. Eight! Uh, that's a lot. And the Rams and Vikings, two teams known for their offenses couldn't muster more than twenty points. Don't expect this to be the norm, though.
Jerry Jones
Sorry, Jerry, but you're just a bonehead. The Cowboys could have beaten the Bucs with Tony Banks. Consider what the team has...A defense that played very well, one of the all-time great running backs, good receivers and a pretty good offensive line. Then, there's Quincy Carter. It's not even fair to Carter. I guess Jerry just wants the high pick.
John and Pat
As much as I hate to admit it, John Madden and Pat Summerall are losing it. Not only did they struggle with names all through the Rams-Eagles game, but they missed what was going on. The two bantered and ranted about the Rams taking a time out at one point in the second quarter, and stuck with it all through the break in action. The problem was the Rams got hit with a delay-of-game penalty, and there was no time out. It got to a point where they were hard to listen to anymore.
THE UP-AND-COMERS
RB LaDainian Thomlinson, SD
You have to hand it to him. He had less than two weeks with the team, and virtually no game action. Not only did he rush for over one hundred yards and two scores, he carried the ball 36 times. I think it's safe to say the team is comfortable with where he is in the offense.
WR Todd Pinkston, PHI
I never believed James Thrash was the number one receiver, like everyone else kept saying, and Pinkston showed who was with seven catches and 99 yards. He may be blade thin, but he's good.
RB Jamel White, CLE
James Jackson got the majority of carries, White just made the most of his, rushing for over five yards a pop, and catching three balls more than Jackson, which was three. There's a speed element when White is in the game, and the Browns need that.
RB Nick Goings, CAR
After Tshmanga Biakabutuka stunk it up, Goings came in and rushed 25 times for 86 yards. Not stellar, but effective. It was one of the main reasons the Panthers stole the game.
WR Marty Booker, CHI
Sure, it was a stinker for the Bears offense, and he only had 49 yards, but it was against the Ravens defense, and it involved nine catches. He was the only one who really got open, and that ain't bad against that D.
RB Travis Henry, BUF
He rushed 22 times for only 58 yards, but wasn't exactly helped by the passing game. And don't forget the Saints are pretty good up front. There should be better days ahead.
WR Ron Gardner, WAS
Really not much in a not much offensive game for the Redskins, but he led all receivers here, and wasn't too bad considering the rest fo the offense.
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW:
When Carolina camp opens next July, Tshimanga Biakabutuka will not be there.
Brett Favre is still Brett Favre, and that's pretty damn good.
Charlie Batch is still Charlie Batch. But the Lions wish he were Brett Favre.
At his current pace, Quincy Carter will not break 1000 yards passing.
Daniel Snyder is the worst owner in the league. Yeah...still.
Playing Michael Vick an occasional series is a stupid idea for the Falcons.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
There will be a world of difference in the referees performances next week.
The Chargers will wish they could buy Doug Flutie a newer, stronger arm.
The NFC East will be winless after the Monday Night game.
The Steelers will soon feel like they wasted two first round picks on their receiver ventures.
By mid-season, the first word out of Drew Bledsoe's mouth on Monday mornings will be "ouch."
Warren Sapp will not be a happy camper after his team plays the Eagles Sunday.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
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