NFL - Week 1

[TracerBullet42]

I schlepped along with my crappy wideouts in one of the leagues, but in the other I have Culpepper and T.O, and I really rocked. Even Priest couldn't save that guy...

PS

Hey! I am that guy...

It would've been nice if someone else on my team would have performed...

But alas, they did not.

Three different leagues...three losses this week. Ouch. At least I'm on top of my pick 'em league...

For now...

 

[Stone Angel]

Ahh football is back and I actually have something to wake up for after playing all night long on Sat.

Tough loss for my boys in blue. The Colts once again knocking on the door but not getting the job done. Dang. The one thing I notice about the Pats, more importatntly Brady is that he doesn't loose games for them. Yeah we got an interception, sacked him, hurried him. But he continued to have a great passing game. Especially short passing game.

The Edge what can I say. He looked good, making good cuts, looking a little more confident. But fumble c'mon arguabley he got hit good and solid. But we don't pay him that sort of money to do that. Sad to say but I think he will be heading down to Miami next season.

The Patriots looked a little flat actually. Not sure what is wrong with Law, he was on the sidelines most of the game looked to be having a problem with his right leg maybe a hammie. The Run stopping is definitely missing BTW so uncharacteristic of the Pats giving up over 200 yards on the ground. Not trying to talk any smack but if they continue to play like this they will a much harder time this year. There defense had better step up if they want the record.

And our defense what can I say. We are just not aggressive enough. Here's a hint, wanna beat us. Short passing game. Pass twice for a bout six yards a piece. Then a couple of runs right up the middle. Screen pass to the flat. We give to much pad in the secondary. And we are so young. And a little under budget.

Other than that game Packers were really razor after the 1st quarter. Panthers had the infamous Superbowl hangover.

Steelers playing some good football.
Raiders looked really rough, though they did show some signs of cohesion and should have a descent season.

And Gibbs. I think Washington will have a bid for the play offs this year.

The Seraph of Earth and Stone

 

[Faerl'Elghinn]

Who cares??

 

[Maerdwyn]

The Patriots looked a little flat actually. Not sure what is wrong with Law, he was on the sidelines most of the game looked to be having a problem with his right leg maybe a hammie. The Run stopping is definitely missing BTW so uncharacteristic of the Pats giving up over 200 yards on the ground. Not trying to talk any smack but if they continue to play like this they will a much harder time this year. There defense had better step up if they want the record.

Law has got a bit of a hammy problem - look for him to rest against AZ and during the bye in week 3.

I expect the run D to improve after the bye as well, based mostly on using Wilfork more than Traylor, who was just not impressive last week.

When the schedule came out I was mad about the week 3 bye - now it's looking pretty good to me.

On a side note, I definitely wouldn't want to be the Colts next few opponents. Edge will not fumble next game, I think, and Manning will want to avenge himself mightily.

 

[Jaws]

The Packers are just gonna sneak into the playoffs. They got to do better at finishing weak teams off. And that won't happen with Sherman being coach.

The Panthers lost 7 starters off season. They won't be making the playoffs unless they win the close ones like they did last year.


Peace and smiles

j.

 

[Crothian]

Its the year of the Steelers. THe AFC North is upside down with the Broiwns beating the Ravens. This will open it up for the Steelers and they get back to the playoffs. Of course they have tyo beat the Reaven this week first...

I think the Packers can make the playoffs. THe NFC is not looking that impresive once you get past Phily and the Vikings. Sure, the Seahawks are looking good but out in the West there is no real compition for them. I think the Panthers will suffer from the super bowl let down that has been so common these last few years.

 

[Cryndo]

"Best football" and "losing" is an oxymoron IMO. The Colts just aren't as good as the Pats. Period. End of story. Was it a close game? Absolutely. But as Belichik said, in some games, the whole game is decided on 3-4 plays. YOu can play 59 minutes but the game is decided in the last one. And that's where the Pats excel. They are the best coached and metally tough team in the NFL, hands down. Brady is also the most clutch and cool under pressure QB in the league as well. Manning might put up better numbers but he can't win the Big Game. His stat is usually inflated as well because there are always 2-3 games in the season that he goes off and throws 5 TD's. Then there are others where he throws 3 Int's and a 150 yds.[/QUOTE]

Saying the Colts aren't as good as the Pats is ludicrous. I will grant you that Dungy has been badly outcoached by Belichick in all three games, but the teams on the field are very evenly matched. The Colts killed themselves in the last two regular season games and the officiating was so horrible in the AFC Championship Game, the rules had to be re-explained to the refs. The Patriots are an excellent team, but so are the Colts. If they played three more times, it is quite possible that the Colts would win the next three.

It is also very cliche to say that a player is "clutch". Studies have proven again and again that there are not "clutch" players. If QB's when games (as you seem to imply), why didn't Brady win his team's game 15th game as his team stood at 8-6. The last two games were huge if NE was to go to the playoffs, but the Pats lost game 15 and their chance to defend their title. I would not argue that Brady choked. I would not argue that Manning chokes. I believe QB's help win games but don't do it by themselves. If winning big games is the sole definition of a good QB, then Terry Bradshaw would be the best QB of all time. I'd much rather have the "loser" Dan Fouts leading my team. Brady is a very good QB, but Manning is outstanding. Give Manning New England's defense and he's going for his 4th SB right now.

 

[GlassJaw]

Give Manning New England's defense and he's going for his 4th SB right now.

No way.

Brady is the best QB in the league right now. Manning might be more physically gifted but Brady is a better QB. He's more consistent, better inthe pocket, and makes better decisions. Manning's stats are also inflated because he usually goes berserk against a couple of teams every year and throws likes 5 TD's. Then he'll have games where he throws 3 Int's.

It is also very cliche to say that a player is "clutch".

Ask any analyst in football right now what QB they would choose to drive their team down the field in the 4th quarter to win the game and guess who they'll choose. Brady. He's done it twice in the SB. If that's not clutch, I don't know what is.

If winning big games is the sole definition of a good QB

It's not the sole criteria but it's very high on the list. It put Elway over the top. And when discussing Marino, what is usually said in the same conversation? That he never won the Big Game.

 

[drothgery]

Brady is the best QB in the league right now. Manning might be more physically gifted but Brady is a better QB. He's more consistent, better inthe pocket, and makes better decisions. Manning's stats are also inflated because he usually goes berserk against a couple of teams every year and throws likes 5 TD's. Then he'll have games where he throws 3 Int's.

No, Manning is the best QB in the league right now, and the only active quarterback other than Favre who's pretty much a sure-fire Hall of Famer on his own merits (Brady may get in via the Terry Bradshaw principle; win the Super Bowl a few times with good but not great numbers, and you get in the Hall), by any reasonable measure. The Patriots are a better team. What about wins, you say? Well, Manning doesn't play defense, doesn't play special teams, and doesn't play offensive line. Wins are a measure of a team (and only over the long run; luck and strength of schedule are serious factors in the short run), not an individual. McNair is number two. Brady is clustered in with a bunch of others for next spot -- Culpepper, Hasselback, McNabb, Favre when he's healthy and Sherman remembers that the forward pass is a legal play, Green -- but Brady plays on the best team of the bunch.

Ask any analyst in football right now what QB they would choose to drive their team down the field in the 4th quarter to win the game and guess who they'll choose. Brady. He's done it twice in the SB. If that's not clutch, I don't know what is.

There's no such thing as a clutch player. There are clutch plays. Luck's too big of a factor. Many analysts insist on believing in clutch players. But that doesn't make it so.

 

[Stone Angel]

Now I let the first one go, in the spirit of good will. Brady a better pocket passer than Manning. Please. Manning can disect defenses with surgical precision, he can go down field better than anybody since probably Young.

Mannings problem. He is burdened if he doesn't score everytime he is on the field there is a good chance the defense won't win the game.

Where is Brady better than Manning. Brady is a much better scrambler and passes better when being hurried. But where Brady is much better than Manning he doesn't lose games for them. Because he doesn't have to win them for the Pats. I really don't think He was the MVP in either of the SB he won either. I mean the teams strength is there defense, it should have went to Ted Washington or someone that mattered. Brady is just a posterboy.

The Seraph of Earth and Stone