A few years ago, I tried to write a weekly column containing my thoughts on each week’s NFL action. The experiment lasted exactly one week. Proving that I am nothing if not stubborn and persistent, I’m giving it another shot.
So without further ado, some quick-hit observations after the first week of NFL action:
- This just in: Alex Smith may actually be a legitimate NFL quarterback. Sure, his stats (23/40, 288 yards, 1 TD, no picks) are padded by the facts that the Cardinals’ defense isn’t that great and the 49ers were mostly playing from behind, but he made good decisions and displayed a strong arm all afternoon. The 46-yard bomb to Antonio Bryant that got the 49ers in field goal range to cut the deficit to 7 was particularly impressive, as was another 52-yarder to Bryant earlier in the game that would have been a touchdown if not for a holding penalty. Smith looked beyond awful last year, but keep in mind that in addition to the usual rookie quarterback growing pains, Smith had the added pressure of playing for a franchise with a long history of great QB’s and had nobody to throw the ball to. After a year of experience under his belt, he now has Eric Johnson returning from injury, a tight end who might be the next Antonio Gates in Vernon Davis, a more competent #1 receiver in Antonio Bryant, and an emerging battering ram named Frank Gore in the backfield. Smith has a long way to go, but he might be finally showing signs of justifying the 49ers spending a #1 overall pick on him.
- This just in: JP Losman still isn’t a legitimate quarterback. He has progressed, certainly, but you do NOT retreat into your own end zone when it’s late in the game and the score is tied. Losman’s career thus far has been marked by inconsistency and poor decision-making, and although he wasn’t intercepted Sunday, he showed no signs of reversing that trend. The Bills are going to regret passing up on Matt Leinart, who had no business being on the board after the fourth pick, with the #8 overall draft choice. The guy they got instead, Donte Whitner, made a couple good plays including a nice interception and will be a very good player in the NFL, but the Bills haven’t had a decent QB since Jim Kelly retired.
- The Manning Bowl didn’t quite live up to the hype in my view. In 87 years and 12,000+ NFL games, one brother has never started against another at QB, and that’s quite an eye-opening fact. But this game was all about the run; namely, Indy’s inability to run the ball or to stop the Giants from running it. Tiki Barber picked up right where he left off last year with over 6 yards a carry, and the Colts looked helpless against him. Even Brandon Jacobs went off, averaging nearly 7 yards per rush. The Colts need to figure this out ASAP or there will be no 13-0 run this year.
- What an ugly hit Trent Green took against Cincinnati. It appears that Robert Geathers may have indeed been shoved into Green, and the hit probably looked worse than it really was because Green’s head was already so close to the ground, but the impact was still difficult to watch. Here’s hoping the Chiefs are being truthful about the fact that the injury isn’t as severe as it appeared.
- The Cardinals’ new stadium looks to be quite spectacular. How refreshing it must be for them to have 60,000+ instead of 10,000 of their own fans and 20,000 of their opponents’ fans. Just in time to save them from being moved to LA, I’m sure.
- Does anyone in the AFC East look like a contender to do anything besides win their own division? Didn’t think so. Despite the predictions I posted on Sunday, the division winner might end up being 9-7 with everyone else below .500. What a disaster.
- The beginning of the Reggie Bush era in New Orleans was a smashing success. Good thing they also picked up Drew Brees during the offseason, who knows a thing or two about how to get the ball to a star running back. Barring injury, Bush is going to be a main attraction for years to come, judging by Sunday’s performance.
- Willis McGahee, for all his big talk, will never be an elite back in the NFL if he continues to lose focus so easily. After failing to convert a fourth down deep in Patriots’ territory, he claimed he thought it was third down and that he’d have another shot. NFL players are paid far too much money to not know the game situation.
- Is Brett Favre sure that he didn’t make a mistake by not retiring? I guess he figured that being shut out was an achievement worth returning for.
- Terrell Owens, it should be obvious by now that you needed Donovan McNabb far more than he needed you. 314 yards and 3 TD’s in your absence should be proof enough.
- Chester Taylor is this year’s LaMont Jordan in the fantasy world. Write that down.
- The Oakland Raiders are this year’s Houston Texans. What a mess that situation is.
- Coaches who I predict will not be with their current clubs next year: Jeff Fisher, Tennessee; Marty Schottenheimer, San Diego; Brian Billick, Baltimore. Mike Holmgren and Bill Cowher may decide to retire as well, but neither one of them are in situations as poor as the aforementioned three coaches. Fisher’s situation is especially bad, in that he is saddled with a meddling owner and a front office that is regarded as poor by most, not to mention that his contract contains a clause triggered after this season that states the Titans must make him an offer equal to the five highest-paid coaches in the league.
That’s all for this week. Hopefully Week 2 will provide as much juicy editorial fodder.