NFL Week 1 Roundup

I was so looking forward to this past weekend with the UM/UF game ( I will get to that later) and opening week of the NFL. First, random thoughts:





I interned a few weeks ago at 790 the ticket on a sunday and we did a mock fantasy draft. I went 10th. The usual suspects were taken early (LT, Randy Moss, Marion Barber, etc.) I took the first QB which was Tom Brady. If that was really my first pick, I would be soooooooooo pissed right now. I know he had the foot injury, but DAMN are the Pats screwed or what!?!!??! I still think they can win the AFC East. We will get a real look at backup QB Matt Cassell when they play the Jets sunday (will have a preview of that in the next blog). It wasnt a dirty on Bradys o that thought should not be looked at. It's an unfortunate injury, similar to what happened to Carson Palmer 2 years ago in a playoff loss to the Steelers. The Jets look to be the favrite in the East, while the Bills, who looked impressive in a beatdown win over the Seahawks, could not contend.





Speaking of top QBs, Peyton Manning looked like a shell of himself as the Bears shocked the Colts. Manning, while in the pockets, is always shuffling and looking for an open receiver. He didn't do much shuffling, a sign that his injuired leg is sitll bothering him. It didn't help that offensive weapons Joseph Addai and Dallas Clark left with injuries. The Colts still have a good offense, but Manning needs to be completely for the Colts to win games





Speaking of injuired QBs, wht the hell is wrong with Vince Young?!!? He gets booed after throwing an INT, pulls himself out, goes back in, and gets injuired 4 plays later? And to makes matters worse, his family could not find for 4 hours on monday. I think that has blown out of proportion. There are times hwere you are going through some problems and you just want to get away. Leave the cell at home and just be by yourself or with some friends. I remember reading a story on how Vince wanted to retire after his rookie season. Now I just read that he is "emotionally unstable." WTF? This the NFL!!!!!!! Aint no punks allowed!!1 IF you have a good game, youw ill be preiased for it, but if you have a bad game, you will get killed for it. And I though that LT was the biggest pussy in sports.





Anyways, lets find out whos on the rise and whos on the fall from week 1:





On the rise: QBs





Tony Romo: He got killed for going ot Mexico with Jessica the week before losing to the Giants. He played in a golf tournament and got killed for not "taking football seriously." Seems like he knows what he doing. Romo torched the upstart Browns for 320 yards and one TD. The real test comes for Romo when the Cowboys host the Eagles on MNF.





Drew Brees: The Saints were considered a huge disappointment last season, but after Hurricane Gustav was coming their way, the Saints put a smile on their fans' faces, especially Brees, with 343 yards and 3 TDs. With Reggie bush being used the right way (mix rusn with passes) and Jeremey Shockey as yet another threat for the Saints offense, the Saints held off the visiting Bucs.





Donavan McNabb: I said in my last blog that the Eagles should not be given the NFC East title, but after that thrashed the Rams, I may be taking back what I said. Well, maybe not. This is a Rams team that has always had a crappy defense. However McNabb loked completely healthy and looked like the McNabb who lead the Eagles to 4 straight NFc title games with mostly crappy WRs. He gets a bad rep in Philly, but he takes the hate and, as of now, has turned int into success. Monday's game at Dallas will be a true test.








on the fall:





Tom Brady: Yea this may be a cheap shot, but what more can I say? He didn't play much on sunday, but some people think you can plug in any QB in the Pats offense and you can still score points. Um no. Well its not proven yet. Brady is done for the year and the Pats's postseason chances may have gone down with it.





Matt Hasselback: boy did he stink. Ths Seahawks offense never got in going as the Bills smacked the NCF West champs up. Hasselback threw for only 190 yards. To make matters worse, Seahawks WR Nate Burleson is done for the season with a knee injury.



David Garrrad: He wasnt terrible vs the Titants with 215 pass yars, but a lost fumble and 2 INTs sure didnt help, especially when he only threw 3 last season. The running game seems to always be there, but the passing game must get better, especially when WR Jerry porter gets healthy.



RBs on the rise:



Michael Turner: There was no room for him to be a used RB since LT running in SD, but now in Atlanta, its his job to lose and by the looks of it, he may never lose his job. He ran for 222 yards and 2TDs. the Northern Illinios standout ran up and down a already bad DET defense. HE helped out rookie QB Matt Ryan who first pass was a TD. I dont expect Ryan to throw alot, especially if the running game is established. As long as he can manage the game and espablish play action, the Falsons offense can put points on the board.



Willie Parker: fast Wilie PArker picked up where he left off last season with a stellar running performance against an improving HOU defense. His 3 rushing TDs in the game already passed his total from last season (2). The Steelers look to pound the ball and throw deep.



Marr Forte: Who? Bears's RB who ran over a Colts D that allowed the fewest points last season. The Bears' gameplan looks like this: establish the run, play good D (which they did) and throw

when necessary.

RBs on the fall

Ricky Williams/Ronnie Brown: They should be one of the best RB combos, but with an O-Line that hasn't clicked yet, they stumbled to 47 yards on 16 carries combined. This surely wont cut it. With QB Chad Pennington still trying to find a WR, the running game must get better


WRs on the rise:

Eddie Royal: 9 catches for 146 yards. Nothing else to say. The Broncos torched the Raiders 8th ranked pass defense with ease. They should have more success against the Chagers, especially with no Shawne Merriman.

Plaxico Burress: After receiving a new contract Plax showed why he deserved it, with a 133 yeard receving game against rival Washington.


Im gonna cut this short since I am tired and need to stop writing so much