*Special note: Analysis of the new AP Top 25 Poll will be posted this afternoon and a full analysis of the results from WWE Breaking Point will be posted on Tuesday.
Yesterday was one of the best days of the year as far as I’m concerned. The opening Sunday of the NFL season is like Christmas morning. There is so much excitement and anticipation as we get to unwrap another year of the best sport on Earth. Being in Baltimore, I am a huge Ravens fan and the excitement for a great season is high around here. I am not a fanatic by any means though, but I do have to admit that my expectations for the team have slowly risen during the preseason. The Ravens seemingly got an easy opener against the lowly Kansas City Chiefs. So let’s analyze how it all went down.
Even before the game, the Ravens got some good news when Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel was finally declared inactive and would not start. That meant QB Brodie Croyle, who doesn’t really strike fear in defenses, would be under center for the game. In the first quarter, it looked like this game would be a total blowout. The Ravens’ defense was dominant and Kansas City was only able to manage 1 first down the entire half. They got nothing against the Ravens in the passing game and they were only able to manage a few decent runs. On offense, the Ravens came out swinging with the passing game. Baltimore was criticized last year for being too predictable and running the ball too much on early downs. But yesterday, they put an emphasis on throwing the ball early and often and did it a great deal on first down, unlike their approach last season.
QB Joe Flacco looked great. He made some really nice throws down the field and also showed good accuracy. He made good decisions and was brilliant on the Ravens’ only touchdown drive of the half. On a third and goal near the end zone, Flacco was able to scramble in the pocket and extend the play until he found RB Willis McGahee for a short 3–yard touchdown pass. This gave the Ravens a 10-0 lead and it looked like they would cruise. However, the offense started to bog down as Kansas City showed some good athleticism on defense. Kansas City also mixed in some luck by blocking a punt and recovering it in the end zone for a touchdown, cutting their deficit to 10-7 at halftime. So even though Baltimore controlled the first half and gave Kansas City nothing on offense, the scoreboard did not reflect the effort and it left the game in doubt. I admit to being a little worried because a few more bad bounces and the Ravens could have been in trouble.
In the second half, the Ravens needed to come out strong and try to put Kansas City away. You don’t want to let an underdog hang around because they start to gain confidence and they start to believe. Unfortunately, this did not happen as Flacco threw an interception that was returned inside the Ravens’ 10-yard line. The Chiefs punched it into the end zone and amazingly, they led 14-10 without moving the ball worth a damn on offense. Flacco continued to sling the ball around though and Baltimore answered with a Flacco 9-yard TD pass to TE Todd Heap to retake the lead.
Kansas City was able to finally move the ball on offense and caught a break when Croyle hit a jump-ball, 50 yard completion which set up a field goal to tie the game. The Ravens answered by slowly but surely taking control with their running game. Both RB Ray Rice and McGahee started to find some holes and the Ravens retook a 24-17 lead on a 1-yard TD run by RB Le’ron McClain. It was short lived though as the Chiefs were able to produce another good drive that ended with a Croyle TD pass to tie the game at 24-24 with about 5 minutes left in the game.
But Flacco and the Ravens would not be denied. Once again, they marched down the field and Flacco completed a beautiful 31-yard TD pass to WR Mark Clayton that put the Ravens up once and for all and they went on to win 38-24.
Flacco was brilliant in this game and he put up his first 300 yard passing game of his career. He finished 26-for-43 for 307 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT. The Ravens amassed 501 yards of total offense, which is a franchise record. The offensive line did a great job providing Flacco with protection and he was extremely crisp and looked very mature. He looked better than he did at any point last season and his decision making was vastly better. Todd Heap also looked very good and if he can stay healthy, it will be an immense help to the entire offense. I also think that WR Kelley Washington can step in as a good #3 and make some big catches during the course of the year.
With that said, I still think the Ravens threw the ball too much yesterday, but they did send a message to the rest of the league that they are not just a running team. Baltimore will have to strike a balance though and get back to ball control and trying to dominant the line of scrimmage with their running game. Kansas City got very lucky to hang in the game as long as they did. The Ravens deserved a blowout victory for how well they played. But that is what a few bad breaks will do and good teams find a way to win even when they are not playing their best. I was pleased to see the Ravens overcome the errors and play well down the stretch. I saw a bunch of other stinker scores out there, so it is clear that not every team was hitting on all cylinders. My hopes remain high after this performance. It wasn’t a perfect opening game, but I saw a ton of good things out there on the field and it was a more than solid effort all the way around.
NFL Wrap Up:
Eagles 38, Panthers 10 – The biggest story of the day happened in Carolina. Even though I expected the Eagles to win this game, I did not expect this big of a blowout. The Eagles were dominant in this game and established themselves as a clear favorite in the NFC. But that is not the big story. Eagles QB Donovan McNabb was slammed by several tacklers on a 3-yard TD run in the 3rd quarter and the hit resulted in McNabb walking off the field with cracked ribs. At this point, there is no exact word on the severity of the injury or if McNabb will miss any playing time. Coach Andy Reid said “there’s a chance” he will play next week. This is not good news for the Eagles and especially for McNabb, who seems to find an injury hitting him every year. This could be an extremely painful injury to play through and even if McNabb does, it could severely limit his effectiveness and he would be putting himself at risk of further injury. If McNabb can’t go next week, the Eagles will have to go with QB Kevin Kolb and there will be no Michael Vick to back him up. Vick is suspended for 1 more game and will not be available until week 3. I’m sure there will be more news on this to come, but if McNabb misses extended time, it could make this dominant performance a distant memory. A healthy McNabb can take the Eagles far, but now we have a huge question mark.
On the flip side, the Panthers looked absolutely horrible. Panthers QB Jake Delhomme accounted for 5 turnovers, throwing 4 interceptions and losing 1 fumble. The Eagles’ defense totally dominated them and they looked nothing like the team that was undefeated at home during the regular season last year. As I speculated in my NFL season preview, I felt that the Panthers would fall off this year. After this performance, I am convinced that is a good call and it will be a supreme struggle for Carolina to regain confidence and get things going. They need to get back to running the ball and find a way to play some better defense. The aerial attack seems to be in bad shape and who knows what Delhomme will bring to the table in subsequent weeks.
Vikings 34, Browns 20 – Vikings RB Adrian Peterson put in a dominating performance to help make QB Brett Favre’s regular season debut with the team a rousing success. Peterson carried the ball 25 times and racked up 180 yards and 3 TDs on the day as he slashed the Browns’ defense to shreds. Favre did exactly what I expect he will do all season. He managed the game well and leaned on Peterson and the Vikings’ defense to do the heavy lifting. Favre was only 14-for-21 for 110 yards and 1 TD, but he did not turn the ball over and he did what was needed to win. The Vikings will be a serious threat in the NFC if they can duplicate this formula all year long. The Browns on the other hand were exactly what you would expect…bad. QB Brady Quinn really did not do anything in the passing game and the only spark they got was Josh Cribbs’ 67-yard punt return TD. Cleveland was also bad on defense and got destroyed by Adrian Peterson. Considering that the Browns will have to deal with the Steelers and Ravens 2 times each this season, it will be a long and mediocre year for the Browns.
Broncos 12, Bengals 7 – The Browns/Bengals game was downright ugly. It only gets a mention this high due to the bizarre ending that occurred. Both teams did squat on offense the entire game and with under a minute to play in the game, the score was 6-0 Broncos. However, the Bengals finally put together a drive on offense that was capped by RB Cedric Benson scoring on a 1-yard TD run to give Cincy a 7-6 lead. The game seemed to be over until a Kyle Orton pass was tipped by the Bengals’ defense and it fell right into the hands of Broncos WR Brandon Stokley. He then proceeded to run down the sideline 87 yards to score and give the Broncos a 12-7 victory. This is definitely one of the craziest finishes I have ever seen. But without question, this game proves that neither the Bengals nor the Broncos are a good team. I heard some so-called “experts” say that the Bengals will finish second in the AFC North and make the playoffs instead of the Ravens. The thought just makes me laugh. QB Carson Palmer was supposed to bring back some punch to the Bengals’ offense and that amounted to a whole bunch of nothing, at least in this game. I see an up and down year for both of these teams and neither will be a contender.
Jets 24, Texans 7 – The hype will probably hit a new level as Jets QB Mark Sanchez looked very good in his debut and he was able to guide New York to an easy 24-7 win over the Texans. Sanchez went 18-for-31 for 272 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Coach Rex Ryan also brought a little flavor of the Ravens’ defense and the Jets totally shut down Houston on offense. The Texans only got past midfield once in the first 3 quarters and they only gained 183 yards for the entire game. I may have to reconsider how good of a season the Jets can have now. If Sanchez can play this well and limit his mistakes and Rex Ryan can bring in some magic on defense like he had in Baltimore, then the Jets could follow the exact same formula that Baltimore did last year. Ryan knows first hand how to get a rookie QB and a good defense into the playoffs, and he could possibly get it done this year. As for the playoffs, it seems like the Texans will be a tease once again. If QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson get shut down like this on numerous occasions, the Texans will disappoint again and they will only be a .500 team at best.
Saints 45, Lions 27 – Saints QB Drew Brees had a record setting day as the Saints extended the Lions’ losing streak to 18 straight games. Brees threw for 358 yards and 6 TDs in the huge 45-27 win. The 6 TD passes was a Saints’ record and it was the first time a QB threw 6 TDs on opening day since 1959. Detroit rookie QB Matthew Stafford had a very tough day as he completed less than 50% of his passes and threw 3 INTs with only 1 TD. The Lions’ defense is still as bad as advertised and it will be another long year in Detroit. I still believe QB Daunte Culpepper should be starting for the Lions and I have no idea when they will get a win. The Saints’ performance was impressive today, but it was against the lowly Lions, so it might not mean that much. Brees will be a beast all season long, but it remains to be seen what happens when New Orleans faces stiffer competition. I still think New Orleans will miss the playoffs, but maybe this could be a magical season for Brees and he will just carry the whole team on his back and win enough shootouts to get the job done.
Cowboys 34, Buccaneers 21 – Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo had a career-best 353 yards passing and threw 3 TDs to guide Dallas to a 34-21 victory over the Bucs. It appears that Dallas may actually be fine without Terrell Owens and they may have enough weapons to score points and win games. Romo showed good chemistry with his receivers and the offense was just on a roll. The Buccaneers are going nowhere this season, so we will have to wait and see what happens when the Cowboys get into the meat of their NFC East schedule. Dallas was able to get a good pass rush going in this game and more performances like this will be needed for success. I think Dallas has a shot to battle for a Wild Card spot and this was a good start on the year. As expected, the Buccaneers will struggle this year and the defense is no longer dominant enough to win games for them. In fact, the defense may be starting to turn into a downright bad unit. They will struggle to win games all year.
Colts 14, Jaguars 12 – The Colts and Jaguars had a surprisingly defensive battle and Indianapolis needed two stops in the 4th quarter to escape with a 14-12 win. Colts QB Peyton Manning was able come up with a 300-yard passing game, but the lack of a running game hurt the Colts as RB Joseph Addai only had 42 yards rushing. The star of the game for the Colts was their defense. They did just enough to hold Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew in check and the pass defense limited QB David Garrard to only 122 yards. The Colts lost WR Anthony Gonzalez to a knee injury and it was reported he strained ligaments in his right knee and could miss a few weeks. If the defense plays this well for Indianapolis, it will be a huge bonus and allow them to make another solid run at the playoffs. I have to think Manning will round into superior form like he always does and he will steal some victories for the Colts. I would have expected a more dominant performance at home in the opener, so I will remain a little weary as to how good they will be this season. The Jags will most likely struggle to put up points unless Jones-Drew runs wild. I just don’t see them staying consistent enough to be a real threat all year.
Falcons 19, Dolphins 7 – Like the Colts, the Falcons did not have that dominant of a home opener, but they did enough to get a win over the Dolphins. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan had a very solid day, as he went 22-for-36 for 229 yards and 2 TDs. TE Tony Gonzalez had a great debut, catching 5 passes for 73 yards and 1 TD. It is clear that Gonzalez will help the Falcons’ offense immensely. RB Michael Turner was held in check by the Dolphins, but I expect the Falcons to get cranked up as the season goes along. The defense was pretty sharp today and if they play this well all season, the Falcons could turn into a serious contender in the NFC. As I said in my season preview, the Dolphins will not do enough on offense this year and it showed today. The Dolphins were almost shut out and they got little production in the run game and QB Chad Pennington only managed 176 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Miami’s defense will be good enough to hold them in many games, but I believe the offense will let them down and I still think they miss the playoffs this year.
Giants 23, Redskins 17 – The Giants’ defense turned in a stout effort that was highlighted by a 37-yard fumble return TD by a healthy Osi Umenyiora, who played in his first game since the 2007 season after missing all of last year due to injury. The Giants were in control the entire game and they clearly showed that they are a step above the Redskins. New York did not have a great game on offense and there was no indication of who will become the go-to, game breaking receiver. Still, QB Eli Manning did enough to get the job done, while Redskins’ QB Jason Campbell did not. It is well documented that the Redskins tried to replace Campbell and it remains to be seen if he can drive the Redskins to victories. Washington has a soft schedule, but I just don’t see how they will become a playoff team, even with the money owner Daniel Snyder continues to spend. The Giants will wage a fierce battle with the Eagles for the division title, and those games between the two should be great.
49ers 20, Cardinals 16 – The big upset of the late afternoon games came in Arizona as the Cardinals got off to a bad start in defense of their NFC Championship. As I mentioned in my season preview, the loser of the Super Bowl has had trouble making the playoffs the next year and this performance from Arizona does not inspire confidence. This was a fairly sloppy game all around that was dominated by the defenses. The Cardinals had problems on offense in the preseason and they continued into this game. QB Kurt Warner and the rest of his offensive unit are just not meshing well and they look nothing like the NFC Champions. The defense was very good however, limiting 49ers RB Frank Gore on the ground and harassing QB Shaun Hill. The 49ers did absolutely nothing in the 2nd half, but on the one drive that mattered, Hill was great in directing an 80-yard march that he culminated with a game-winning 3-yard TD pass to Gore. I still think that Arizona can right the ship here, but they need to figure out what is wrong with their offense or they are going to miss the playoffs like so many other Super Bowl losers. Make no mistake, the 49ers will play hard in each and every game and they will probably pull off a few more upsets before the year is over.
Seahawks 28, Rams 0 – There is not much to be said about this one. QB Matt Hasselbeck got off to a shaky start by throwing 2 INTs in his first 3 throws, but then settled down to throw 3 TDs and lead the Seahawks to an easy win. The Rams looked like the same old Rams from last season. They got little on offense and poor play on defense. It will be another long year in St. Louis. It remains to be seen how good Seattle can be until they face tougher competition, but with the way Arizona looked today, I am starting to think that the NFC West title race could be closer than I thought.
Packers 21, Bears 15 – The Sunday night game was a typical slugfest that you would expect from the Packers and Bears. Both defenses showed up and gave the opposing quarterback a hard time, but it was Packers QB Aaron Rodgers who stepped up, while Bears QB Jay Culter faltered. Cutler had an extremely tough game and ended up throwing 4 interceptions. The Bears also made a costly mistake late in the game when they were up 12-10. They tried a fake punt in their own half of the field that failed and allowed Green Bay to hit a field goal and grab the lead. Cutler did manage to drive the Bears down for a field goal to take the lead back, but Rodgers fired a 50-yard TD to WR Greg Jennings with 1:11 left in the game to seal the victory. Green Bay lost a ton of close games last year, so it is a real confidence booster that they pulled this one out. It will be a hell of a battle in the NFC North, and if the Packers and Bears bring this type of defense to the Vikings, it will be something to see. Bears LB Brian Urlacher did not play in the 2nd half due to a dislocated wrist, so it remains to be seen how that could affect Chicago.
The Game’s Quick Hits
Quick results from WWE Breaking Point:
Jericho/Show defeat MVP/Henry to retain Tag Titles
Kingston defeats Miz to retain U.S. Title
Legacy defeats DX
Kane defeats The Great Khali
Christian defeats Regal to retain ECW Title
Cena defeats Orton to win WWE Title
Punk defeats Undertaker to retain W.H.C. (screwjob ending)
-Other NFL tidbits from the day: It was reported that signs are pointing toward 49ers’ unsigned 1st round draft pick Michael Crabtree electing to sit out the entire season and re-enter the NFL draft. Seriously, I can not believe this guy. As evidenced by San Francisco’s win over the Cardinals today, the 49ers under Mike Singletary are heading in the right direction and getting better. Crabtree could come in there and help the cause and be a part of the legacy of pulling San Francisco back up to an elite level. But no, this guy only wants to think about himself. He doesn’t think he is getting enough money and obviously has no concept of a sliding rookie wage scale. He also doesn’t think that the 49ers have a quarterback who can help him make Pro Bowls and making him a star. I say this is bullcrap and very selfish. I thought football was a team game and a wide receiver is supposed to try and make his quarterback better. I seriously have no patience for athletes like this. I hope that if Crabtree re-enters the draft, he is drafted by a team with quarterback issues and he falls flat on his face during his rookie season.
Speaking of “diva” wide receivers, it was also reported that former Denver coach Mike Shanahan was planning to cut WR Brandon Marshall before he was fired. Shanahan felt that Marshall was really not that good and was too much of a headache. Without question, Mike Shanahan knows talent and knows how to coach, so this is a pretty telling statement. Marshall did not have a particularly good game today and the jury is still out on whether he will come close to matching his production from the past 2 seasons. I don’t know if Coach Josh McDaniels’ system is going to allow Marshall to thrive, so maybe they should continue to try and get rid of him. I still think he will try to play for money this season, so they might as well try to milk him.
- Seattle Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki collected his 200th hit of the season last night. This was the 9th consecutive season that Ichiro has had 200 or more hits and that breaks the 108-year old record held by Willie Keeler, who had 8 straight seasons of 200 or more hits from 1894-1901. I don’t have much else to say here and I marvel at an accomplishment like this. Ichiro is one of the best pure hitters of our time and he is a surefire Hall of Famer.
- BMW Championship: Tiger Woods took the drama out of final round Sunday after his blistering course record 9-under par 62 that he shot on Saturday. He opened up a 7 shot lead and was expected to cruise home to victory. Tiger did just that as he shot a 3-under par 68 to finish at 19-under par, a full eight shots better than Jim Furyk and Marc Leishman. Tiger’s 6th win of the PGA Tour season was the 71st of his career, putting him just 2 behind Jack Nicklaus for 2nd most all-time. The win also gave Woods the #1 ranking in the FedEx Cup point standings heading into the last playoff event, the Tour Championship. He is followed by Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, and Heath “If ya got ‘em” Slocum. If any of these five win the Tour Championship, they will win the FedEx Cup. Obviously, Tiger will go in as the favorite in 2 weeks and if I had to bet, I sure would not bet against him. Considering that Woods came up empty in the majors this year, I am sure he will treat the Tour Championship like a major and he will go out to win it.
- U.S. Open Update: After a long bout of rain delays, the sun finally came out and the men’s semifinals were able to take place. In the first semifinal, #3 seed Rafael Nadal looked totally out of it and was a step slow. He was blown off the court by #6 seed Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Nadal admitted that his strained abdominals played a factor, but del Potro blistered him with serves and forehands and was clearly better on this day. In the final, del Potro will have to face…who else, but #1 seed Roger Federer. The #4 seed Novak Djokovic tried his best to hang with Federer, but like he has done so many times before, Roger just turned up his game another notch and he dispatched of Djokovic in straight sets. Federer will now go for his 6th straight U.S. Open title and 16th Grand Slam title overall in today’s final.
The women finished up play in the nightcap of Sunday’s action and Kim Clijsters was able to complete her amazing comeback to the game after being away for 2 years due to having a baby. She took care of #9 seed Caroline Wozniacki to capture her 2nd U.S. Open Championship and become the first unseeded player to win the title. She is the first mother to win a Grand Slam title since 1980, so this is a pretty big accomplishment.
And in a related note, Serena Williams was fined $10,000 for her profanity-laced tirade directed at a linesperson who called a foot fault on her at a critical time in the match and eventually led to her defeat. The incident is still under investigation however, and more penalties could be levied against Williams. The $10,000 is less than 3% of her prize winnings at the Open, so I hope they hit her with more. There really is no excuse for what she did and an athlete should never abuse, whether verbally or physically, an official the way Serena did. It is possible she could be fined the entire amount of her winnings ($350,000) and I say she more than deserves it. If you want to make a statement that what she did will not be tolerated, then that is how you do it.
Showing posts with label joe flacco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joe flacco. Show all posts
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Ready to Rave N Roll?
Well we’ve reached the third week of the preseason and that means things are getting serious for every NFL team. Typically, the 3rd preseason game is treated as a “dress rehearsal” for the regular season and each team takes it seriously as if the game counted. The starters usually play the first half and a series or two into the second half and the coaches are trying to make the final determinations as to who will be making the final 53 man roster. With that said, the Ravens had their 3rd preseason game last night against the Carolina Panthers, so what is the verdict after seeing their performance?
I have to say that I really liked what I saw in the Ravens 17-13 victory over the Panthers last night. On the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens continued to look in midseason form. During the first half, they only gave up 3 points and very few big plays down the field. The defensive prevented QB Jake Delhomme and the rest of the Panthers offense from getting into any type of rhythm. The Panthers first unit could not get anything going until the Ravens entire defense had the second unit in at the end of the third quarter. I do worry some if the injury bug starts to bite, but that is true of every team and the Ravens do have good depth to stand up to a few injuries. I was impressed with the play of new Ravens QB Dominique Foxworth. Foxworth was brought in to make the secondary a bit younger and faster, and he was able to make some good plays last night and seems to be picking up the defensive schemes. This bodes well heading into the regular season.
On the offensive side of things, I continued to be very impressed and encouraged in what I saw. Joe Flacco was extremely good in the first half as he completed 17 of 22 passes and threw his first touchdown of the preseason. What impresses me most is the development of his decision making. He is making smart plays and picking up when he needs to check down to his other receivers and also dump the ball off. Flacco also made some good down the field throws and I am hopeful that the downfield passing game will continue to improve. If it does, the Ravens will get more and more dangerous with the aerial attack. As an extra note, I noticed on Twitter that ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and CBS’s Pete Prisco both see the improvements in Flacco and are predicting good things ahead for him. I can dig that.
I was also impressed with the play of RB Ray Rice. Last season, everyone could see the speed and quickness of Rice and knew at the very least, he would be a good third down back and also a back that could give your starter a good rest every now and then. But now, Rice is starting to prove himself as capable of being a starter and carrying the offensive load when it comes to the run game. He continues to make strides when it comes to patience and he is getting better at picking his running lanes and openings and not trying to do too much. I also saw him make some good plays in the passing game, taking a few short passes from Flacco and turning them into good gains. This is a very good sign for Baltimore and again, CBS’s Prisco made mention on Twitter that he believes Rice will be a steal in fantasy football drafts this year. If Rice can handle the load and Willis McGahee stays healthy and can come in and continue pounding the ball, the Ravens offense may finally start to turn the corner.
It also seems as if Todd Heap is rounding back to form after dealing with injuries last season. He made a few nice catches and caught the TD pass from Flacco. Heap still has the ability to be extremely effective if he can stay on the field. A healthy year will give Flacco another weapon and allow him to work the middle of the field. WR Derrick Mason is also showing no signs of slowing down. He made a few nice grabs on deeper passes and the guy just knows how to get the job done.
So after seeing this performance tonight and watching all three preseason games, I have to say that the Ravens are looking more and more like legitimate contenders this season. I will still not get overly optimistic, but I will say that it will be a hell of a battle in the AFC North this year. The games against Pittsburgh should be off the hook and I will be glued to the TV for them. The Ravens don’t have a cupcake schedule by any means, but I think they can seriously challenge for the division title and if the offense keeps developing and the defense plays to its usual standard, the Ravens will have a shot this season.
And a final tidbit for Ravens fans out there…the last time the team started 3-0 in the preseason was in the 2000 campaign, the year in which Baltimore won the Super Bowl. Just some food for thought…
The Game’s Quick Hits
- I would be remiss if I did not mention the funeral for Ted Kennedy which took place on Saturday. I watched the proceedings and thought that it was a great service. The eulogies delivered by his sons Ted Jr. and Patrick were very poignant and offered a glimpse at the type of man Ted Kennedy was and what he stood for and tried to instill in others. As always, President Obama eloquently delivered a tribute to a friend and mentor and spoke about trying to honor Kennedy’s memory by always moving forward and trying to do what we can to persevere and make the world a better place. It was cool to see the funeral procession and final ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery as it was the first time I really witnessed and sat down to watch a burial like that for a prominent national political figure. The scene on the steps of the Capitol was pretty remarkable and the spontaneous singing of “God Bless America” was touching. Truly Ted Kennedy left his mark on America and whether you agreed with his politics or not, he was a man to be respected for what he endured and tried to accomplish.
- In an attempt to bolster their roster and hold off the Texas Rangers in the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels acquired P Scott Kazmir from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for 2 minor leaguers. I definitely have to give credit to the Angels for getting this done and trying to do what they can to make their team stronger for the playoffs. Kazmir has been pretty effective when he has not been slowed by injuries and the guy also has playoff experience, having started Games 1 and 5 of the World Series last year. I think the Angels need all the help they can get when it comes to pitching because it seems like the Yankees, who won a 1 hit, 10-0 shutout over the White Sox yesterday for their league leading 81st win, are still pressing full speed ahead and they look like the team to beat come playoff time.
- Tiger Woods tried to make a move on Saturday at The Barclays, but his 4-under par round of 67 only was able to bring him to within 5 strokes of co-leaders Steve Marino and Paul Goydos. Again, Tiger was able to leapfrog higher up the leaderboard into a tie for seventh place, but he still has a daunting task in trying to win on Sunday. I watched a good bit of the 3rd round and Tiger finally got some putts to drop and he kept grinding away. Only because of what Tiger Woods is capable of will I be tuned into the final round tomorrow. I do not expect Tiger to win, but he has made comebacks before, so you just never know. Final round Sundays are always a good watch when he is on the front page of the leaderboard.
- Sources indicate Golden State Warriors forward Stephen Jackson is seeking to be traded to a contender. The 31 year old made statements saying that he only has about 4 or 5 years left and he wants to be traded to a team that consistently makes the playoffs and is in position to win a championship. I can’t recall hearing about this guy being a trouble maker or anything, so I can respect his position and where he is coming from. Golden State is one of those franchises in sports that just seem like they always will be mediocre and have nothing going for them. Constantly losing takes its toll, so I have no problem with a veteran player wanting to try and win a title. Jackson averaged a career high 20.7 points per game last season and is a career 15.4 ppg scorer over 9 NBA seasons. Obviously Jackson could help a contending team, but his production would also come with a decent price tag that I am not sure a contender is willing to pay.
- Back to more Michael Vick news…as if it was any surprise, head coach Andy Reid stated that Vick will play in the Eagles final preseason game against the New York Jets. Reid said that he felt Vick looked good and he could see a more extended period playing QB in the final preseason game. I really feel that the Eagles need to let him play at least a series or two and let him stay in at QB to see what he can do since this might be the last time they will see Vick for a few weeks. Roger Goodell will make a decision by week 6 on whether Vick will be fully reinstated, so the Eagles might as well get a good look in the last preseason game. My guess is that Vick will sit 2 to 4 more games before being reinstated and then the fun can begin.
- Another QB battle was settled on Saturday when Tampa Bay announced that QB Byron Leftwich would be the team’s starter come week 1. Coach Raheem Morris said that Leftwich had the edge on QB Luke McCown heading into camp and held it with steady play in the preseason. In my estimation, it really didn’t matter who the Bucs picked to be their started because I don’t think they will be a big contender this year and probably will struggle to have a shot at the playoffs. I don’t think Leftwich or McCown are that consistent or dynamic, so the Bucs will really have to rely on running the ball and defense this year if they hope to compete.
- Other football notes: Patriots coach Bill Belichick insisted that Tom Brady was pulled from Friday night’s preseason game because the plan was to evaluate the other QBs. Speculation is already running wild as to whether or not Brady has any sort of serious injury. We will be playing the waiting game on this because you know Belichick will not say a word…Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel left in the first quarter of the Chiefs preseason game against the Seahawks with an apparent leg injury. Reports indicated that the injury was not believed to be that serious, but one has to wonder why Cassel did not try to return then. That is definitely something Kansas City doesn’t need. They need all the help they can get, especially with a week 1 game against the Ravens…Starting USC WR Ronald Johnson broke his collarbone in a mock game on Saturday and will be out for 6-8 weeks. Coach Pete Carroll described the loss of Johnson as “just a crusher”. I would say it is. You don’t want to lose your #1 WR when you are starting a true freshman at QB. I am on record saying that USC will not be in the hunt for the National Championship and I still believe that because this injury does not help them at all…Alabama head coach Nick Saban signed a contract extension which will keep at the school until 2017. Good to see that he actually might want to stay put this time. He can dream of trying to become the next Bear Bryant, but don’t count on it.
I have to say that I really liked what I saw in the Ravens 17-13 victory over the Panthers last night. On the defensive side of the ball, the Ravens continued to look in midseason form. During the first half, they only gave up 3 points and very few big plays down the field. The defensive prevented QB Jake Delhomme and the rest of the Panthers offense from getting into any type of rhythm. The Panthers first unit could not get anything going until the Ravens entire defense had the second unit in at the end of the third quarter. I do worry some if the injury bug starts to bite, but that is true of every team and the Ravens do have good depth to stand up to a few injuries. I was impressed with the play of new Ravens QB Dominique Foxworth. Foxworth was brought in to make the secondary a bit younger and faster, and he was able to make some good plays last night and seems to be picking up the defensive schemes. This bodes well heading into the regular season.
On the offensive side of things, I continued to be very impressed and encouraged in what I saw. Joe Flacco was extremely good in the first half as he completed 17 of 22 passes and threw his first touchdown of the preseason. What impresses me most is the development of his decision making. He is making smart plays and picking up when he needs to check down to his other receivers and also dump the ball off. Flacco also made some good down the field throws and I am hopeful that the downfield passing game will continue to improve. If it does, the Ravens will get more and more dangerous with the aerial attack. As an extra note, I noticed on Twitter that ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and CBS’s Pete Prisco both see the improvements in Flacco and are predicting good things ahead for him. I can dig that.
I was also impressed with the play of RB Ray Rice. Last season, everyone could see the speed and quickness of Rice and knew at the very least, he would be a good third down back and also a back that could give your starter a good rest every now and then. But now, Rice is starting to prove himself as capable of being a starter and carrying the offensive load when it comes to the run game. He continues to make strides when it comes to patience and he is getting better at picking his running lanes and openings and not trying to do too much. I also saw him make some good plays in the passing game, taking a few short passes from Flacco and turning them into good gains. This is a very good sign for Baltimore and again, CBS’s Prisco made mention on Twitter that he believes Rice will be a steal in fantasy football drafts this year. If Rice can handle the load and Willis McGahee stays healthy and can come in and continue pounding the ball, the Ravens offense may finally start to turn the corner.
It also seems as if Todd Heap is rounding back to form after dealing with injuries last season. He made a few nice catches and caught the TD pass from Flacco. Heap still has the ability to be extremely effective if he can stay on the field. A healthy year will give Flacco another weapon and allow him to work the middle of the field. WR Derrick Mason is also showing no signs of slowing down. He made a few nice grabs on deeper passes and the guy just knows how to get the job done.
So after seeing this performance tonight and watching all three preseason games, I have to say that the Ravens are looking more and more like legitimate contenders this season. I will still not get overly optimistic, but I will say that it will be a hell of a battle in the AFC North this year. The games against Pittsburgh should be off the hook and I will be glued to the TV for them. The Ravens don’t have a cupcake schedule by any means, but I think they can seriously challenge for the division title and if the offense keeps developing and the defense plays to its usual standard, the Ravens will have a shot this season.
And a final tidbit for Ravens fans out there…the last time the team started 3-0 in the preseason was in the 2000 campaign, the year in which Baltimore won the Super Bowl. Just some food for thought…
The Game’s Quick Hits
- I would be remiss if I did not mention the funeral for Ted Kennedy which took place on Saturday. I watched the proceedings and thought that it was a great service. The eulogies delivered by his sons Ted Jr. and Patrick were very poignant and offered a glimpse at the type of man Ted Kennedy was and what he stood for and tried to instill in others. As always, President Obama eloquently delivered a tribute to a friend and mentor and spoke about trying to honor Kennedy’s memory by always moving forward and trying to do what we can to persevere and make the world a better place. It was cool to see the funeral procession and final ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery as it was the first time I really witnessed and sat down to watch a burial like that for a prominent national political figure. The scene on the steps of the Capitol was pretty remarkable and the spontaneous singing of “God Bless America” was touching. Truly Ted Kennedy left his mark on America and whether you agreed with his politics or not, he was a man to be respected for what he endured and tried to accomplish.
- In an attempt to bolster their roster and hold off the Texas Rangers in the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels acquired P Scott Kazmir from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for 2 minor leaguers. I definitely have to give credit to the Angels for getting this done and trying to do what they can to make their team stronger for the playoffs. Kazmir has been pretty effective when he has not been slowed by injuries and the guy also has playoff experience, having started Games 1 and 5 of the World Series last year. I think the Angels need all the help they can get when it comes to pitching because it seems like the Yankees, who won a 1 hit, 10-0 shutout over the White Sox yesterday for their league leading 81st win, are still pressing full speed ahead and they look like the team to beat come playoff time.
- Tiger Woods tried to make a move on Saturday at The Barclays, but his 4-under par round of 67 only was able to bring him to within 5 strokes of co-leaders Steve Marino and Paul Goydos. Again, Tiger was able to leapfrog higher up the leaderboard into a tie for seventh place, but he still has a daunting task in trying to win on Sunday. I watched a good bit of the 3rd round and Tiger finally got some putts to drop and he kept grinding away. Only because of what Tiger Woods is capable of will I be tuned into the final round tomorrow. I do not expect Tiger to win, but he has made comebacks before, so you just never know. Final round Sundays are always a good watch when he is on the front page of the leaderboard.
- Sources indicate Golden State Warriors forward Stephen Jackson is seeking to be traded to a contender. The 31 year old made statements saying that he only has about 4 or 5 years left and he wants to be traded to a team that consistently makes the playoffs and is in position to win a championship. I can’t recall hearing about this guy being a trouble maker or anything, so I can respect his position and where he is coming from. Golden State is one of those franchises in sports that just seem like they always will be mediocre and have nothing going for them. Constantly losing takes its toll, so I have no problem with a veteran player wanting to try and win a title. Jackson averaged a career high 20.7 points per game last season and is a career 15.4 ppg scorer over 9 NBA seasons. Obviously Jackson could help a contending team, but his production would also come with a decent price tag that I am not sure a contender is willing to pay.
- Back to more Michael Vick news…as if it was any surprise, head coach Andy Reid stated that Vick will play in the Eagles final preseason game against the New York Jets. Reid said that he felt Vick looked good and he could see a more extended period playing QB in the final preseason game. I really feel that the Eagles need to let him play at least a series or two and let him stay in at QB to see what he can do since this might be the last time they will see Vick for a few weeks. Roger Goodell will make a decision by week 6 on whether Vick will be fully reinstated, so the Eagles might as well get a good look in the last preseason game. My guess is that Vick will sit 2 to 4 more games before being reinstated and then the fun can begin.
- Another QB battle was settled on Saturday when Tampa Bay announced that QB Byron Leftwich would be the team’s starter come week 1. Coach Raheem Morris said that Leftwich had the edge on QB Luke McCown heading into camp and held it with steady play in the preseason. In my estimation, it really didn’t matter who the Bucs picked to be their started because I don’t think they will be a big contender this year and probably will struggle to have a shot at the playoffs. I don’t think Leftwich or McCown are that consistent or dynamic, so the Bucs will really have to rely on running the ball and defense this year if they hope to compete.
- Other football notes: Patriots coach Bill Belichick insisted that Tom Brady was pulled from Friday night’s preseason game because the plan was to evaluate the other QBs. Speculation is already running wild as to whether or not Brady has any sort of serious injury. We will be playing the waiting game on this because you know Belichick will not say a word…Kansas City Chiefs QB Matt Cassel left in the first quarter of the Chiefs preseason game against the Seahawks with an apparent leg injury. Reports indicated that the injury was not believed to be that serious, but one has to wonder why Cassel did not try to return then. That is definitely something Kansas City doesn’t need. They need all the help they can get, especially with a week 1 game against the Ravens…Starting USC WR Ronald Johnson broke his collarbone in a mock game on Saturday and will be out for 6-8 weeks. Coach Pete Carroll described the loss of Johnson as “just a crusher”. I would say it is. You don’t want to lose your #1 WR when you are starting a true freshman at QB. I am on record saying that USC will not be in the hunt for the National Championship and I still believe that because this injury does not help them at all…Alabama head coach Nick Saban signed a contract extension which will keep at the school until 2017. Good to see that he actually might want to stay put this time. He can dream of trying to become the next Bear Bryant, but don’t count on it.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Start or Sit: The Rookie QB Dilemma
The excitement of a new NFL season is starting to build and I have an interesting topic today that I wanted to talk a little bit about. It centers around one of the classic football debates out there: rookie QBs…should they start right away or should they ride the pine for a while? This sprang to mind for me after learning that the Jets named Mark Sanchez their starting QB (more on that later). There are some who will say that there is no better way to learn the position, or any other way for that matter, than to be thrown right into the fire and start right away. Others will tell you that it is best for a QB to sit back and learn what it takes to be successful in the NFL. The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle and in my opinion, each situation is unique and there is no truly correct answer.
First and foremost, the talent needs to be there before you throw a rookie QB into the starting lineup week 1. The QB in question needs to be able to make all the throws, understand the offense, and effectively be able to execute the offense. Now of course there will be struggles and setbacks, but effectively managing the offense means that you generally make good decisions and do not look lost out there. Not every QB who is drafted in the first round, even in the top 10, deserves to be slotted into the starter’s role. Just ask Bengals fans about Akili Smith for example.
I think the most important determining factor is maturity. A rookie QB needs to be able to step onto an NFL field and take charge of the team. They need to take control and earn the respect of the players around them. This can be a daunting task for a 22 year old kid, but those who can do it will have taken the first step toward success. A successful rookie QB will also have a short term memory and be able to handle adversity and bounce back from mistakes. Mistakes are a 100% guarantee for a rookie QB…how they handle those errors and adjust their play will determine first year success.
Last season, Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco and Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan seemed to break the mold for rookie QBs. Both stepped right into action week 1 and they lasted all season, guiding their teams to success and the playoffs. But make no mistake, these two are the exception, not the rule. Joe Flacco was ready for the job due to his physical tools and also his calm demeanor. As I talked about above, he was able to combine a rocket arm with good decision making to achieve success. Flacco managed the game well and while he did not produce eye popping stats, he did not kill the Ravens with costly turnovers. The same can be said for Matt Ryan. The consensus was that Ryan was one of the most polished QBs to come out of college in a long while and he was ready to start right away. Those predictions rang true as Ryan showed a great deal of talent and did the same thing that Flacco did. He managed the game well, made some plays, and recovered from the few mistakes that he did make. That is how a rookie QB can be successful.
Before Flacco and Ryan, the last rookie QB to make that big of an impact was Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning. But as we all know, Manning is a once in a lifetime type of QB and a sure fire Hall of Famer. He had a great rookie season, but again, he was ready and almost no other rookie would have his pedigree and skills coming out of college. For every Peyton Manning, there are numerous Ryan Leaf’s who will be a bust. For those who end up not cutting it in the NFL, it would not make a different whether they started right away or were held back. Truly, these things need to be decided on a case by case basis.
If you draft a rookie QB very high in the draft and pay him tons of money, then I would suspect you consider him a franchise player and want to get him into the starting lineup right away. This is the situation with the Jets and Mark Sanchez. The Jets traded up to get Sanchez at #5 this year and are paying the guy $50 million dollars. That is a huge investment and you don’t want him just sitting on the bench. However, all reports indicate that Sanchez has the physical skills PLUS the maturity to handle the role. Now as I mentioned a few days ago, the Ravens defense made Sanchez look like a rookie in the first quarter of their preseason game. However, Sanchez was able to bounce back and he threw a touchdown pass to end the final series that he played. This shows a good short term memory and the ability to shake off mistakes. When you throw in the fact that QB Kellen Clemens will not set the world on fire and that the Jets have a decent amount of talent spread throughout the whole team, it is easy to see why the Jets went with Sanchez as their starter. Based on what I have talked about, I agree with the move and think it was the right choice.
On the other hand, it is a different story in Detroit. The Lions took QB Matthew Stafford with the first pick in the draft, so you would think he would be anointed the started right away. Not so fast. I have been hearing reports that Stafford does look good in practice and has earned the respect of the team, but he really struggled in the last preseason game when he got the start. Let’s face it; the Lions still have a long way to go to even be respectable. They are not loaded with talent and the team is desperate to just win a game. Veteran QB Daunte Culpepper has come into this season motivated and in the best shape of his career. He is still not that old, has some good skills, and has tasted success before in the NFL. I believe that the Lions should start Culpepper week 1 and let Stafford wait a little while. Culpepper gives the Lions the best chance to win a game or two and then when that monkey is off their backs, they can put in Stafford.
So while it might seem like a cop out in this debate to say that there is no right answer, I believe it really rings true. Teams need to be smart with young players because there is always the chance of ruining a good thing. I think QB David Carr is a prime example. The expansion Houston Texans took him at #1 and threw him to the wolves. The result: he was pounded into the ground behind a porous offensive line and he struggled badly. Now I am not saying that David Carr would have become an elite level QB. In retrospect however, the Texans may have been better served to try and develop him more slowly and put in a veteran QB. Carr has shown flashes of skill and ability, but the beating he took may have ruined his confidence and chance to develop into something more.
Every NFL team is looking for that franchise QB who can lead the team to glory. When you think you have one, you will always be faced with the start or sit dilemma. Without question, the teams who make the right choices and do the right things will be on a quicker path to success and the ones who don’t will just have to keep searching.
The Game’s Quick Hits
- Sources are saying that Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre is now threatening to ruin team chemistry and that a “schism” is forming in the locker room. People with knowledge of the Vikings locker room are saying Favre has “little support” and there are groups who believe either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels gives the team a better chance to win. Is this really a surprise to anyone? Of course people will be resentful because Favre just breezed in the door and did not suffer through training camp with the rest of the players. There is only one solution to this and that is Favre winning games for Minnesota. As I have speculated though, there might be too much pressure on the team and I think the Vikings will not make it all the way to the Super Bowl. I think they need to give Favre some more slack, but he better produce or it will get ugly in Minnesota, especially for Brad Childress.
- Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino lashed out at the media yesterday and said the ordeal he has been going through has been “pure hell” for his family. His angry comments came out after police released a video interview of the woman who claimed Pitino raped her and who also is accused of trying to extort him. You know…this kind of thing makes me angry. What the hell does Pitino expect? He had sex with a woman in a restaurant while his assistant coach looked out and then he gave her $3000 for “health insurance” when he most likely knew she would be getting an abortion…and this is a religious and married man here folks. Sorry Rick, but you are the one who did this to your family and now you have to suffer the consequences based on your celebrity and juiciness of the story. You have no one to blame but yourself and I can’t have much sympathy for you.
- Reports are out saying that Ricky Rubio’s intent to play in Spain next season is not a done deal yet. It seems like deep pocketed European clubs are going after him and the Minnesota Timberwolves would need to buyout his contract and they can only contribute $500,000, which seems like it would not nearly be enough. You know, I could care less about this drama they are trying to make. I think the Timberwolves are destined to be closer to the cellar than a championship after they could not get the job done with Kevin Garnett and traded him away. I am not sure why they drafted the guy and took on this mess, but at least they were smart enough to draft Jonny Flynn as well, so maybe they expected it.
- I thought that I could possibly get away from no Michael Vick news, but nope, not going to happen LOL. Today’s news is something I agree with though. Local civil rights groups, including the NAACP, are planning a demonstration and march around Lincoln Financial Field prior to tomorrow night’s preseason game. "We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life," J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, said Wednesday. "We think that's patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick's basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living." Kudos to this man for saying that. I have stated in this blog before that Vick deserves a shot to resume his life and make amends and he should only be criticized and protested on if he drops the ball on what he has said he will do.
- A federal appeals court has ruled that investigators were wrong to seize a list of 104 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during the 2003 season. The court stated that they only had the right to seize information on the 10 people listed in their search warrant. Well, it is nice to see a ruling like that which makes sense, but the damage is already done. That list got into the wrong hands and people will continue to leak names every so often so they can get their hands on some money. The entire list needs to come out because every time a name is leaked, it distracts from the play on the field.
First and foremost, the talent needs to be there before you throw a rookie QB into the starting lineup week 1. The QB in question needs to be able to make all the throws, understand the offense, and effectively be able to execute the offense. Now of course there will be struggles and setbacks, but effectively managing the offense means that you generally make good decisions and do not look lost out there. Not every QB who is drafted in the first round, even in the top 10, deserves to be slotted into the starter’s role. Just ask Bengals fans about Akili Smith for example.
I think the most important determining factor is maturity. A rookie QB needs to be able to step onto an NFL field and take charge of the team. They need to take control and earn the respect of the players around them. This can be a daunting task for a 22 year old kid, but those who can do it will have taken the first step toward success. A successful rookie QB will also have a short term memory and be able to handle adversity and bounce back from mistakes. Mistakes are a 100% guarantee for a rookie QB…how they handle those errors and adjust their play will determine first year success.
Last season, Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco and Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan seemed to break the mold for rookie QBs. Both stepped right into action week 1 and they lasted all season, guiding their teams to success and the playoffs. But make no mistake, these two are the exception, not the rule. Joe Flacco was ready for the job due to his physical tools and also his calm demeanor. As I talked about above, he was able to combine a rocket arm with good decision making to achieve success. Flacco managed the game well and while he did not produce eye popping stats, he did not kill the Ravens with costly turnovers. The same can be said for Matt Ryan. The consensus was that Ryan was one of the most polished QBs to come out of college in a long while and he was ready to start right away. Those predictions rang true as Ryan showed a great deal of talent and did the same thing that Flacco did. He managed the game well, made some plays, and recovered from the few mistakes that he did make. That is how a rookie QB can be successful.
Before Flacco and Ryan, the last rookie QB to make that big of an impact was Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning. But as we all know, Manning is a once in a lifetime type of QB and a sure fire Hall of Famer. He had a great rookie season, but again, he was ready and almost no other rookie would have his pedigree and skills coming out of college. For every Peyton Manning, there are numerous Ryan Leaf’s who will be a bust. For those who end up not cutting it in the NFL, it would not make a different whether they started right away or were held back. Truly, these things need to be decided on a case by case basis.
If you draft a rookie QB very high in the draft and pay him tons of money, then I would suspect you consider him a franchise player and want to get him into the starting lineup right away. This is the situation with the Jets and Mark Sanchez. The Jets traded up to get Sanchez at #5 this year and are paying the guy $50 million dollars. That is a huge investment and you don’t want him just sitting on the bench. However, all reports indicate that Sanchez has the physical skills PLUS the maturity to handle the role. Now as I mentioned a few days ago, the Ravens defense made Sanchez look like a rookie in the first quarter of their preseason game. However, Sanchez was able to bounce back and he threw a touchdown pass to end the final series that he played. This shows a good short term memory and the ability to shake off mistakes. When you throw in the fact that QB Kellen Clemens will not set the world on fire and that the Jets have a decent amount of talent spread throughout the whole team, it is easy to see why the Jets went with Sanchez as their starter. Based on what I have talked about, I agree with the move and think it was the right choice.
On the other hand, it is a different story in Detroit. The Lions took QB Matthew Stafford with the first pick in the draft, so you would think he would be anointed the started right away. Not so fast. I have been hearing reports that Stafford does look good in practice and has earned the respect of the team, but he really struggled in the last preseason game when he got the start. Let’s face it; the Lions still have a long way to go to even be respectable. They are not loaded with talent and the team is desperate to just win a game. Veteran QB Daunte Culpepper has come into this season motivated and in the best shape of his career. He is still not that old, has some good skills, and has tasted success before in the NFL. I believe that the Lions should start Culpepper week 1 and let Stafford wait a little while. Culpepper gives the Lions the best chance to win a game or two and then when that monkey is off their backs, they can put in Stafford.
So while it might seem like a cop out in this debate to say that there is no right answer, I believe it really rings true. Teams need to be smart with young players because there is always the chance of ruining a good thing. I think QB David Carr is a prime example. The expansion Houston Texans took him at #1 and threw him to the wolves. The result: he was pounded into the ground behind a porous offensive line and he struggled badly. Now I am not saying that David Carr would have become an elite level QB. In retrospect however, the Texans may have been better served to try and develop him more slowly and put in a veteran QB. Carr has shown flashes of skill and ability, but the beating he took may have ruined his confidence and chance to develop into something more.
Every NFL team is looking for that franchise QB who can lead the team to glory. When you think you have one, you will always be faced with the start or sit dilemma. Without question, the teams who make the right choices and do the right things will be on a quicker path to success and the ones who don’t will just have to keep searching.
The Game’s Quick Hits
- Sources are saying that Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre is now threatening to ruin team chemistry and that a “schism” is forming in the locker room. People with knowledge of the Vikings locker room are saying Favre has “little support” and there are groups who believe either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels gives the team a better chance to win. Is this really a surprise to anyone? Of course people will be resentful because Favre just breezed in the door and did not suffer through training camp with the rest of the players. There is only one solution to this and that is Favre winning games for Minnesota. As I have speculated though, there might be too much pressure on the team and I think the Vikings will not make it all the way to the Super Bowl. I think they need to give Favre some more slack, but he better produce or it will get ugly in Minnesota, especially for Brad Childress.
- Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino lashed out at the media yesterday and said the ordeal he has been going through has been “pure hell” for his family. His angry comments came out after police released a video interview of the woman who claimed Pitino raped her and who also is accused of trying to extort him. You know…this kind of thing makes me angry. What the hell does Pitino expect? He had sex with a woman in a restaurant while his assistant coach looked out and then he gave her $3000 for “health insurance” when he most likely knew she would be getting an abortion…and this is a religious and married man here folks. Sorry Rick, but you are the one who did this to your family and now you have to suffer the consequences based on your celebrity and juiciness of the story. You have no one to blame but yourself and I can’t have much sympathy for you.
- Reports are out saying that Ricky Rubio’s intent to play in Spain next season is not a done deal yet. It seems like deep pocketed European clubs are going after him and the Minnesota Timberwolves would need to buyout his contract and they can only contribute $500,000, which seems like it would not nearly be enough. You know, I could care less about this drama they are trying to make. I think the Timberwolves are destined to be closer to the cellar than a championship after they could not get the job done with Kevin Garnett and traded him away. I am not sure why they drafted the guy and took on this mess, but at least they were smart enough to draft Jonny Flynn as well, so maybe they expected it.
- I thought that I could possibly get away from no Michael Vick news, but nope, not going to happen LOL. Today’s news is something I agree with though. Local civil rights groups, including the NAACP, are planning a demonstration and march around Lincoln Financial Field prior to tomorrow night’s preseason game. "We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life," J. Whyatt Mondesire, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, said Wednesday. "We think that's patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick's basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living." Kudos to this man for saying that. I have stated in this blog before that Vick deserves a shot to resume his life and make amends and he should only be criticized and protested on if he drops the ball on what he has said he will do.
- A federal appeals court has ruled that investigators were wrong to seize a list of 104 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during the 2003 season. The court stated that they only had the right to seize information on the 10 people listed in their search warrant. Well, it is nice to see a ruling like that which makes sense, but the damage is already done. That list got into the wrong hands and people will continue to leak names every so often so they can get their hands on some money. The entire list needs to come out because every time a name is leaked, it distracts from the play on the field.
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