To the surprise of no one, the St. Louis Rams officially fired Scott Linehan today, after four straight drubbings to start the season. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was promoted to interim head coach, mostly because someone had to be. Haslett was head coach in New Orleans from 2000 through 2005, but his defense is giving up 36.8 points per game this year. The most viable alternative would have been offensive coordinator and former Chargers head coach Al Saunders, whose offense is scoring just 10.8 per game. Man, the Rams are bad.
To pat ourselves on the back again, we saw this coming last year. You just don't come back from 3-13 in the NFL, as Linehan had lost the respect of his players, not to mention the fans.
You can feel bad for Linehan today, even though he did a generally poor job in his two-plus years with the Rams. It's not fun to lose a job, and most of us can only imagine what it's like to be fired in such a public way. But Linehan will get himself a nice severance package, and if recent cases like Bobby Petrino, Mike Sherman, and Dave Wanntedt are any indication, he'll have some BCS-level university throwing a wad of money at him in the very near future. Before becoming offensive coordinator with the Vikings in 2002, Linehan coached at Louisville (1999-2001), Washington (1994-98), UNLV (1991), and Idaho (1989-90, 1992-93).
Stay tuned later this afternoon - Lane Kiffin might be queuing up up right behind Linehan on the firing line.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Pre-game notes, late games
I'll make this quick, before somebody else scores again in the Jets-Cardinals game.
Not much to report as far as inactives for the 4 p.m. (et) games. As expected, LaDainian Tomlinson (toe) and Antonio Gates (hip) are active for the Chargers against lame-duck Lane Kiffin's Raiders. Oakland will have Darren McFadden (toe) in the starting lineup as well as shutdown corner Nnadmi Asomugha, despite his fractured elbow.
No major injury surprises in the Buffalo-St. Louis game, AKA Scott Linehan's not-so-grand finale. As was reported earlier in the week, the Redskins' Jason Taylor will sit out today's game with Dallas after recently undergoing emergency calf surgery.
As for tonight's Eagles/Bears clash in Chicago, all signs point to Donovan McNabb (bruised chest) starting for Philly, but RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) figures to be a last minute decision as to whether he'll go.
Of course, somebody did score as I was writing this. Favre's 4th TD pass of the day, this one to Jerricho Cotchery, puts the Jets up 41-21 early in the fourth quarter.
Not much to report as far as inactives for the 4 p.m. (et) games. As expected, LaDainian Tomlinson (toe) and Antonio Gates (hip) are active for the Chargers against lame-duck Lane Kiffin's Raiders. Oakland will have Darren McFadden (toe) in the starting lineup as well as shutdown corner Nnadmi Asomugha, despite his fractured elbow.
No major injury surprises in the Buffalo-St. Louis game, AKA Scott Linehan's not-so-grand finale. As was reported earlier in the week, the Redskins' Jason Taylor will sit out today's game with Dallas after recently undergoing emergency calf surgery.
As for tonight's Eagles/Bears clash in Chicago, all signs point to Donovan McNabb (bruised chest) starting for Philly, but RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) figures to be a last minute decision as to whether he'll go.
Of course, somebody did score as I was writing this. Favre's 4th TD pass of the day, this one to Jerricho Cotchery, puts the Jets up 41-21 early in the fourth quarter.
Pre-game notes: Week 4
I'm here at a soggy Meadowlands awaiting the kickoff of today's Jets-Cardinals tilt. As if any of us had any doubts, Brett Favre (ankle) will be making his 257th consecutive start for the Jets. Actually, I should say Titans, as in the New York variety. The Jets will be wearing throwback uni's from their original AFL days of the early '60's, when the franchise was then known as the Titans.
Favre will be facing a banged-up Arizona defense that will be minus standout strong safety Adrian Wilson, out with a hamstring injury. Nose tackle Gabe Watson (knee) and DE/OLB Bert Berry (groin) also inactive for the Cards.
Some updated injury information for the other early games:
* As I mentioned previously, QB Carson Palmer (elbow) will be the Bengals' 3rd QB for their matchup with division-rival Cleveland, with the pride of Harvard -- Ryan Fitzpatrick -- to start for Cincy. Browns to be without WR Donte' Stallworth (quadriceps) for a fourth consecutive game. Guard Eric Steinbach, who missed last week with a separated shoulder, is surprisingly active for Cleveland, although it's unclear as to whether he'll start.
*In New Orleans, the Saints' hurting receiving corps will consist of Lance Moore and Devery Henderson as the primary wideouts for their home game with San Francisco. Marques Colston remains out with an injured thumb, while normal No. 3 guy David Patten likely will see limited action with an ailing groin. New Orleans is also minus Jeremy Shockey after the colorful tight end underwent groin surgery earlier in the week. 49ers will have WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring, questionable) in the lineup today.
*In Tampa, Brian Griese will be taking aim at a Green Bay secondary without two key starters in Pro Bowl corner Al Harris (ruptured spleen) and hard-hitting safety Atari Bigby (hamstring). The Bucs will be missing top receiver Joey Galloway (groin) for a second straight week, with Antonio Bryant and Mark Clayton designated as today's starting wideouts.
Favre will be facing a banged-up Arizona defense that will be minus standout strong safety Adrian Wilson, out with a hamstring injury. Nose tackle Gabe Watson (knee) and DE/OLB Bert Berry (groin) also inactive for the Cards.
Some updated injury information for the other early games:
* As I mentioned previously, QB Carson Palmer (elbow) will be the Bengals' 3rd QB for their matchup with division-rival Cleveland, with the pride of Harvard -- Ryan Fitzpatrick -- to start for Cincy. Browns to be without WR Donte' Stallworth (quadriceps) for a fourth consecutive game. Guard Eric Steinbach, who missed last week with a separated shoulder, is surprisingly active for Cleveland, although it's unclear as to whether he'll start.
*In New Orleans, the Saints' hurting receiving corps will consist of Lance Moore and Devery Henderson as the primary wideouts for their home game with San Francisco. Marques Colston remains out with an injured thumb, while normal No. 3 guy David Patten likely will see limited action with an ailing groin. New Orleans is also minus Jeremy Shockey after the colorful tight end underwent groin surgery earlier in the week. 49ers will have WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring, questionable) in the lineup today.
*In Tampa, Brian Griese will be taking aim at a Green Bay secondary without two key starters in Pro Bowl corner Al Harris (ruptured spleen) and hard-hitting safety Atari Bigby (hamstring). The Bucs will be missing top receiver Joey Galloway (groin) for a second straight week, with Antonio Bryant and Mark Clayton designated as today's starting wideouts.
Palmer out for Bengals
Here's the first big bit of news on the morning of Week 4 -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will be the team's #3 quarterback for today's game against division-rival Cleveland. Palmer has been dealing with soreness in his throwing elbow over the past few days, and apparently the injury is serious enough to keep him out. Looks like the 0-3 Browns catch a much-needed first break of the season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the start today for the also-winless Bengals, with Jordan Palmer (yes, that's Carson's little bro) to serve as the backup.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the start today for the also-winless Bengals, with Jordan Palmer (yes, that's Carson's little bro) to serve as the backup.
Friday, September 26, 2008
I love me some underdogs
We're not big proponents of gambling on NFL games, first because it's illegal in most places and second because the talent level from team-to-team is so close that it's difficult to wager in an educated way. Anyone who saw the Bucs erase that 24-14 Bears lead last week knows how temporary leads, even big ones, can be in this league.
That said, I do participate in The Sports Network's "Pigskin Prognosticators" competition, so I pay some attention to the weekly Vegas line on each game. For amusement purposes only, of course.
And some of the lines I saw this week were pretty absurd, prompting me to circle the underdog in 10 of the 13 games on my sheet. Here's some stuff that caught my attention:
Houston +7.5 at Jacksonville - I know the Jaguars beat the Colts last week and rushed for a lot of yards, but this is still an injury-riddled roster and I refuse to believe they'll be able to win a lot of games decisively. The Texans haven't looked great in 2008, but they've played two road games against physical defenses (Pittsburgh and Tennessee) and are going to come out of their shell at some point. This one will be close, and I won't be shocked to see the Texans (7-5 against the Jaguars all-time) win it.
San Francisco +5.5 at New Orleans - The Saints must be coasting off reputation here, both theirs and that of the 49ers. Two of the key cogs in the New Orleans offensive machine - Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey - are both out, and an already-suspect defense has major injury problems in the secondary. If J.T. O'Sullivan (a one-time Saint) has the time to throw that he should, the 49ers are going to score some points and keep this one interesting. This is a field goal game in my opinion.
St. Louis +8.5 vs. Buffalo - Yes, the Rams have been terrible with a capital T, and have been blown out in three straight games. But no team in NFL history has been blown out in 100 percent of their games, and at some point St. Louis is going to catch a lucky break that allows them to stay in a contest or two. The Bills are a great story and all, but they should have lost to a poor Raiders team at home last week and are hardly a shoo-in to win by two scores on the road.
Washington +11 at Dallas - Huh? The Redskins are on a two-game winning streak after beating the Saints and Cardinals, two teams that still harbor realistic playoff aspirations. The defense they'll bring to Dallas is nearly identical to last year's generally solid unit, and I simply don't see them allowing the Cowboys, their hated division rival, to run up and down the field. I also think Jason Campbell is good enough to keep Washington within striking distance, at the very least.
Pittsburgh +8 vs. Baltimore - This line has everything to do with Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who a lot of folks are expecting to be flustered in his first road game, which is also a primetime contest to be played out before a national television audience. And I don't discount that obstacle, but the Ravens are 2-0 because they have been able to run the ball and play good defense, two factors that have mitigated any minor struggles Flacco has experienced. Pittsburgh is banged up defensively and will also be without Willie Parker, so I think Baltimore will be able to hold the nation's interest here.
For the record, the three favorites I like out of 13 are the Jets (-1 vs. Arizona), the Chargers (-7.5 at Oakland), and the Eagles (-3.5 at Chicago).
That said, I do participate in The Sports Network's "Pigskin Prognosticators" competition, so I pay some attention to the weekly Vegas line on each game. For amusement purposes only, of course.
And some of the lines I saw this week were pretty absurd, prompting me to circle the underdog in 10 of the 13 games on my sheet. Here's some stuff that caught my attention:
Houston +7.5 at Jacksonville - I know the Jaguars beat the Colts last week and rushed for a lot of yards, but this is still an injury-riddled roster and I refuse to believe they'll be able to win a lot of games decisively. The Texans haven't looked great in 2008, but they've played two road games against physical defenses (Pittsburgh and Tennessee) and are going to come out of their shell at some point. This one will be close, and I won't be shocked to see the Texans (7-5 against the Jaguars all-time) win it.
San Francisco +5.5 at New Orleans - The Saints must be coasting off reputation here, both theirs and that of the 49ers. Two of the key cogs in the New Orleans offensive machine - Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey - are both out, and an already-suspect defense has major injury problems in the secondary. If J.T. O'Sullivan (a one-time Saint) has the time to throw that he should, the 49ers are going to score some points and keep this one interesting. This is a field goal game in my opinion.
St. Louis +8.5 vs. Buffalo - Yes, the Rams have been terrible with a capital T, and have been blown out in three straight games. But no team in NFL history has been blown out in 100 percent of their games, and at some point St. Louis is going to catch a lucky break that allows them to stay in a contest or two. The Bills are a great story and all, but they should have lost to a poor Raiders team at home last week and are hardly a shoo-in to win by two scores on the road.
Washington +11 at Dallas - Huh? The Redskins are on a two-game winning streak after beating the Saints and Cardinals, two teams that still harbor realistic playoff aspirations. The defense they'll bring to Dallas is nearly identical to last year's generally solid unit, and I simply don't see them allowing the Cowboys, their hated division rival, to run up and down the field. I also think Jason Campbell is good enough to keep Washington within striking distance, at the very least.
Pittsburgh +8 vs. Baltimore - This line has everything to do with Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who a lot of folks are expecting to be flustered in his first road game, which is also a primetime contest to be played out before a national television audience. And I don't discount that obstacle, but the Ravens are 2-0 because they have been able to run the ball and play good defense, two factors that have mitigated any minor struggles Flacco has experienced. Pittsburgh is banged up defensively and will also be without Willie Parker, so I think Baltimore will be able to hold the nation's interest here.
For the record, the three favorites I like out of 13 are the Jets (-1 vs. Arizona), the Chargers (-7.5 at Oakland), and the Eagles (-3.5 at Chicago).
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The still-standing Pats
For those anticipating a sudden changing of the guard in the AFC's East Division in the wake of Tom Brady's season-ending knee injury, the defending division and conference champions New England Patriots gave a response to that notion. And for all we know, it didn't involve any sort of chicanery or shady covert operations.
This afternoon's 19-10 victory over the New York Jets in the first meeting between the rivals here at the Meadowlands since last year's infamous "Spygate" episode proved, at least for now, that the Patriots are still the standard-bearer in the division -- and possibly the entire AFC as well -- Brady or no Brady.
New England won partly because stand-in Matt Cassel (16-of-23, 165 yards, 0 INT) made one fewer mistake in his first NFL start than Brett Favre (18-of-26, 181 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) made in his 255th, and because a defense that was supposed to be past its prime played like a championship unit for most of the game. The Jets went three-and-out on four of their nine possessions during the afternoon and were held to 256 total yards by the Patriots' determined D.
With the next two games on the ledger coming against Miami and San Francisco, teams that combined for a total of six victories a year ago, a 4-0 start for Bill Belichick's bunch could be in the works.
New England is currently one of four AFC clubs that currently stand at 2-0, a group that could grow by one if Pittsburgh wins at Cleveland later tonight. Two of those teams, Buffalo and Denver, got there today by knocking off to the conference's preseason darlings. The Bills made their case for legitimacy by going into the tough environs of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and coming away with an impressive 20-16 win over the Jaguars. The Broncos put AFC West favorite San Diego in an 0-2 hole with a thrilling 39-38 decision at Invesco Field, in which Mike Shanahan's gutsy decision to go for a two-point conversion with 24 seconds left paid off when quarterback Jay Cutler delivered a strike to rookie receiver Eddie Royal for the game-winning points.
Cutler, by the way, has racked up 650 passing yards and six touchdowns through the air following today's 350-yard, four-score masterpiece.
Quotable from Patriots-Jets
-"It's not ever about the doubters, it's always about the belief in yourself, and I've always had that belief in myself that I could go out there and do it," -- Cassel
-"(The Patriots) are well coached and well-disciplined, and every victory is going to have to be earned. We had a lot of positive things today, but there were too many missed opporuntities and too many things that we could have controlled, whether it be penalties or putting overselves in a bad position, that we didn't do a good enough job of." -- Jets head coach Eric Mangini
This afternoon's 19-10 victory over the New York Jets in the first meeting between the rivals here at the Meadowlands since last year's infamous "Spygate" episode proved, at least for now, that the Patriots are still the standard-bearer in the division -- and possibly the entire AFC as well -- Brady or no Brady.
New England won partly because stand-in Matt Cassel (16-of-23, 165 yards, 0 INT) made one fewer mistake in his first NFL start than Brett Favre (18-of-26, 181 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) made in his 255th, and because a defense that was supposed to be past its prime played like a championship unit for most of the game. The Jets went three-and-out on four of their nine possessions during the afternoon and were held to 256 total yards by the Patriots' determined D.
With the next two games on the ledger coming against Miami and San Francisco, teams that combined for a total of six victories a year ago, a 4-0 start for Bill Belichick's bunch could be in the works.
New England is currently one of four AFC clubs that currently stand at 2-0, a group that could grow by one if Pittsburgh wins at Cleveland later tonight. Two of those teams, Buffalo and Denver, got there today by knocking off to the conference's preseason darlings. The Bills made their case for legitimacy by going into the tough environs of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and coming away with an impressive 20-16 win over the Jaguars. The Broncos put AFC West favorite San Diego in an 0-2 hole with a thrilling 39-38 decision at Invesco Field, in which Mike Shanahan's gutsy decision to go for a two-point conversion with 24 seconds left paid off when quarterback Jay Cutler delivered a strike to rookie receiver Eddie Royal for the game-winning points.
Cutler, by the way, has racked up 650 passing yards and six touchdowns through the air following today's 350-yard, four-score masterpiece.
Quotable from Patriots-Jets
-"It's not ever about the doubters, it's always about the belief in yourself, and I've always had that belief in myself that I could go out there and do it," -- Cassel
-"(The Patriots) are well coached and well-disciplined, and every victory is going to have to be earned. We had a lot of positive things today, but there were too many missed opporuntities and too many things that we could have controlled, whether it be penalties or putting overselves in a bad position, that we didn't do a good enough job of." -- Jets head coach Eric Mangini
halftime thoughts from the Meadowlands
I'm sitting here from the press box of the Patriots-Jets showdown, and while the first half (a 6-3 New England lead) may not have provided the thrills many of us were seeking, it had to be an assuring 30 minutes if you're a Pats fan.
The Patriots may have scaled the offense down for Matt Cassel in the previously-unknown quarterback's first NFL start (and as I'm sure you've all heard from anywhere to 50-100 times this week, his first start at any level since 1999), but it's pretty apparent the team has a fair share of confidence in Tom Brady's successor. That was evident on New England's opening drive, when the offense lined up in shotgun formation on a key 3rd-and-2 from the Jets' 34-yard line and let Cassel throw the ball (he completed the pass to running back Sammy Morris for a first down). Cassel completed a very respectable 9-of-13 throws for 96 yards in the first half while looking very comfortable in the pocket.
The same probably can't be said for Matt Ryan. Atlanta's $72 million investment threw nine straight incompletions with two interceptions to begin his first NFL road start today. At last check, the rookie was 3-of-15 for a mere 36 yards and the Falcons were trailing Tampa Bay, 17-3, late in the first half.
By the way, the player picked right below Ryan in April's draft, running back Darren McFadden, put up an impressive 164 yards and a touchdowns in Oakland's 23-8 victory at Kansas City earlier in the day. McFadden's performance may have been to the chagrin of mercurial owner Al Davis, who now has to keep head coach Lane Kiffin on the payroll for at least one more week.
One last thought before watch the second half: Isn't Rod Marinelli's speciality supposed to be defense? One week after his Detroit Lions put on possibly the worst tackling display the NFL has seen this century in a loss at Atlanta, the team submitted 447 total yards (324 passing) to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers this afternoon. Lions quarterback Jon Kitna gets a share of blame as well for his club's 48-25 loss; he threw three INT's, two of which were returned for touchdowns in the game's final 3 1/2 minutes.
One injury note from the game here -- Patriots running back Laurence Maroney left in the second quarter with a shoulder problem and wasn't on the field when the New England offense came out after the intermission.
The Patriots may have scaled the offense down for Matt Cassel in the previously-unknown quarterback's first NFL start (and as I'm sure you've all heard from anywhere to 50-100 times this week, his first start at any level since 1999), but it's pretty apparent the team has a fair share of confidence in Tom Brady's successor. That was evident on New England's opening drive, when the offense lined up in shotgun formation on a key 3rd-and-2 from the Jets' 34-yard line and let Cassel throw the ball (he completed the pass to running back Sammy Morris for a first down). Cassel completed a very respectable 9-of-13 throws for 96 yards in the first half while looking very comfortable in the pocket.
The same probably can't be said for Matt Ryan. Atlanta's $72 million investment threw nine straight incompletions with two interceptions to begin his first NFL road start today. At last check, the rookie was 3-of-15 for a mere 36 yards and the Falcons were trailing Tampa Bay, 17-3, late in the first half.
By the way, the player picked right below Ryan in April's draft, running back Darren McFadden, put up an impressive 164 yards and a touchdowns in Oakland's 23-8 victory at Kansas City earlier in the day. McFadden's performance may have been to the chagrin of mercurial owner Al Davis, who now has to keep head coach Lane Kiffin on the payroll for at least one more week.
One last thought before watch the second half: Isn't Rod Marinelli's speciality supposed to be defense? One week after his Detroit Lions put on possibly the worst tackling display the NFL has seen this century in a loss at Atlanta, the team submitted 447 total yards (324 passing) to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers this afternoon. Lions quarterback Jon Kitna gets a share of blame as well for his club's 48-25 loss; he threw three INT's, two of which were returned for touchdowns in the game's final 3 1/2 minutes.
One injury note from the game here -- Patriots running back Laurence Maroney left in the second quarter with a shoulder problem and wasn't on the field when the New England offense came out after the intermission.
Pre-game tidbits, 1 p.m. (ET) games
Here are a few notes, including updated injury information for each of today's first set of Week 2 games.
Giants at Rams: Rams have WR Drew Bennett (foot), DE Leonard Little (hamstring) and LG Jacob Bell (hamstring) inactive. James Hall will start at RDE, with Chris Long shifting from the right side to Little's LDE spot. Adam Goldberg to start for Bell. Rookie WR Donnie Avery (knee) will play for St. Louis, but newly-signed veteran Eddie Kennison is inactive. For Giants, DE Mathias Kiwanuka (ankle) is active and will start.
Bills at Jaguars: Jags WR Jerry Porter (quest., hamstring) will miss a second straight game. Starting MLB Mike Peterson also inactive for Jacksonville, which is surprising since he wasn't on the injury report. Daryl Smith likely to start in the middle for the Jaguars, who will also be without center Brad Meester (biceps) and WR Troy Williamson (thigh). No major injuries to report for the Bills.
Titans at Bengals: Everyone probably knows by now that Kerry Collins will start for the Titans at QB in place of Vince Young (knee), but Tennessee will have All-Pro DT Albert Haynesworth (concussion) in the lineup. Bengals won't have SS Dexter Jackson (broken thumb), WR Andre Caldwell (toe) and DT Pat Sims (toe).
Bears at Panthers: Panthers will start Geoff Hangartner for Travelle Wharton (knee) at left guard. LB Na'il Diggs (shoulder), CB Chris Gamble (upper arm) and TE Dante Rosario (foot) are all active for Carolina. Bears relatively healthy except for rookie first-round pick Chris Williams (back surgery) at offensive tackle.
Packers at Lions: RB Ryan Grant (hamstring) and CB Charles Woodson (toe) are active and will start for Packers, but Green Bay won't have center Scott Wells (back) or WR Ruvell Martin (finger). Lions will have standout LB Ernie Sims (ankle) in the starting lineup.
Colts at Vikings: Colts to be without All-Pro center Jeff Saturday (knee) and TE Dallas Clark (knee), with rookie Jamey Richard likely to start for Saturday for a second straight week. CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring, quest.) is active for Indianapolis. For Vikings, Artis Hicks (elbow) is active and will start a second straight game in place of the suspended Bryant McKinnie at left offensive tackle.
Raiders at Chiefs: CB DeAngelo Hall (elbow), SS Gibril Wilson (elbow) and DE Derrick Burgess (shoulder) will all start on defense for the Raiders in what reportedly may be Lane Kiffin's last game. Second-year pro Mario Henderson to start for Oakland at left offensive tackle in place of Kwame Harris (knee). As expected, Damon Huard will be under center for the Chiefs with Brodie Croyle inactive with a separated shoulder.
Saints at Redskins: Injury-plagued Saints to be without three starters in the secondary -- CB Mike McKenzie (knee surgery), SS Roman Harper (hamstring) and CB Randall Gay (hamstring) -- as well as regular SLB Scott Fujita (knee). Veteran Aaron Glenn and rookie Tracy Porter will start on the corners for New Orleans, with rookie Jo-Lonn Dunbar making his first career start in place of Fujita. Saints also missing top WR Marques Colston (thumb). For the Redskins, H.B. Blades will start for Marcus Washington (hamstring) at strongside linebacker and rookie Chris Horton takes the place of Reed Doughty (stomach flu) at strong safety.
You can few all the inactives for these games here.
Giants at Rams: Rams have WR Drew Bennett (foot), DE Leonard Little (hamstring) and LG Jacob Bell (hamstring) inactive. James Hall will start at RDE, with Chris Long shifting from the right side to Little's LDE spot. Adam Goldberg to start for Bell. Rookie WR Donnie Avery (knee) will play for St. Louis, but newly-signed veteran Eddie Kennison is inactive. For Giants, DE Mathias Kiwanuka (ankle) is active and will start.
Bills at Jaguars: Jags WR Jerry Porter (quest., hamstring) will miss a second straight game. Starting MLB Mike Peterson also inactive for Jacksonville, which is surprising since he wasn't on the injury report. Daryl Smith likely to start in the middle for the Jaguars, who will also be without center Brad Meester (biceps) and WR Troy Williamson (thigh). No major injuries to report for the Bills.
Titans at Bengals: Everyone probably knows by now that Kerry Collins will start for the Titans at QB in place of Vince Young (knee), but Tennessee will have All-Pro DT Albert Haynesworth (concussion) in the lineup. Bengals won't have SS Dexter Jackson (broken thumb), WR Andre Caldwell (toe) and DT Pat Sims (toe).
Bears at Panthers: Panthers will start Geoff Hangartner for Travelle Wharton (knee) at left guard. LB Na'il Diggs (shoulder), CB Chris Gamble (upper arm) and TE Dante Rosario (foot) are all active for Carolina. Bears relatively healthy except for rookie first-round pick Chris Williams (back surgery) at offensive tackle.
Packers at Lions: RB Ryan Grant (hamstring) and CB Charles Woodson (toe) are active and will start for Packers, but Green Bay won't have center Scott Wells (back) or WR Ruvell Martin (finger). Lions will have standout LB Ernie Sims (ankle) in the starting lineup.
Colts at Vikings: Colts to be without All-Pro center Jeff Saturday (knee) and TE Dallas Clark (knee), with rookie Jamey Richard likely to start for Saturday for a second straight week. CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring, quest.) is active for Indianapolis. For Vikings, Artis Hicks (elbow) is active and will start a second straight game in place of the suspended Bryant McKinnie at left offensive tackle.
Raiders at Chiefs: CB DeAngelo Hall (elbow), SS Gibril Wilson (elbow) and DE Derrick Burgess (shoulder) will all start on defense for the Raiders in what reportedly may be Lane Kiffin's last game. Second-year pro Mario Henderson to start for Oakland at left offensive tackle in place of Kwame Harris (knee). As expected, Damon Huard will be under center for the Chiefs with Brodie Croyle inactive with a separated shoulder.
Saints at Redskins: Injury-plagued Saints to be without three starters in the secondary -- CB Mike McKenzie (knee surgery), SS Roman Harper (hamstring) and CB Randall Gay (hamstring) -- as well as regular SLB Scott Fujita (knee). Veteran Aaron Glenn and rookie Tracy Porter will start on the corners for New Orleans, with rookie Jo-Lonn Dunbar making his first career start in place of Fujita. Saints also missing top WR Marques Colston (thumb). For the Redskins, H.B. Blades will start for Marcus Washington (hamstring) at strongside linebacker and rookie Chris Horton takes the place of Reed Doughty (stomach flu) at strong safety.
You can few all the inactives for these games here.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Yes, I'm picking the Rams.
Just to prove that you can't put much stock in what happens during Week 1 of the NFL season, I'm picking the St. Louis Rams to beat the New York Giants on Sunday.
It's nothing against the Giants, I think they're a very fine team that will end up in the playoffs. And it's not an endorsement of the Rams who, well, have some problems. The pick is simply a reflection of the parity that exists in the NFL circa 2008. The Rams arguably looked worse than any other team in the league last week (Bengals fans might object to that one), and the Giants, who kept the Redskins at arm's length through four quarters, arrive in St. Louis riding a 10-game road winning streak.
But I've found that one of the worst things you can try to do in picking winners in the NFL is to apply logic to your decision. Also, there are certain to be around a dozen 1-1 teams after Week 2, just as there were last year, which means a bunch of clubs are going to look either much better or much worse than they did last week.
Thus, Rams 23, Giants 20. By the same logic, I have the Bengals beating the Titans and the Browns beating the Steelers this week.
It's nothing against the Giants, I think they're a very fine team that will end up in the playoffs. And it's not an endorsement of the Rams who, well, have some problems. The pick is simply a reflection of the parity that exists in the NFL circa 2008. The Rams arguably looked worse than any other team in the league last week (Bengals fans might object to that one), and the Giants, who kept the Redskins at arm's length through four quarters, arrive in St. Louis riding a 10-game road winning streak.
But I've found that one of the worst things you can try to do in picking winners in the NFL is to apply logic to your decision. Also, there are certain to be around a dozen 1-1 teams after Week 2, just as there were last year, which means a bunch of clubs are going to look either much better or much worse than they did last week.
Thus, Rams 23, Giants 20. By the same logic, I have the Bengals beating the Titans and the Browns beating the Steelers this week.
Injury Outlook -- Week 2
Here's a brief rundown of the key injuries for all the games on Sunday's docket. Looks like four teams will be making quarterback switches following their openers, with Matt Cassel (Patriots), Kerry Collins (Titans), Brian Griese (Buccaneers) and Damon Huard (Chiefs) expected to replace the ailing grouping of Tom Brady (torn knee ligaments), Vince Young (knee sprain), Jeff Garcia (sprained ankle) and Brodie Croyle (separated shoulder).
Buffalo at Jacksonville: The Jaguars' offensive line is a mess right now after starting guards Vincent Manuwai (torn ACL) and Maurice Williams (biceps tear) suffered season-ending injuries in last week's loss at Tennessee, while center Brad Meester is still recovering from biceps surgery and remains sidelined...Jacksonville does get some good news on the receiving front, where veteran Jerry Porter appears ready for Sunday after sitting out the opener with an ailing hamstring...Bills Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters, who ended his holdout just prior to Week 1, looks like a good bet to return to his starting spot on the left side.
Chicago at Carolina: Panthers will be without left guard Travelle Wharton (knee sprain), with Geoff Hantgartner expected to get the start...Tight end Dante Rosario, who led Carolina in catches and yards last week, will be a game-time decision with a sprained foot...Panthers star wide receiver Steve Smith to serve the last of his team-issued two-game suspension on Sunday.
Green Bay at Detroit: Packers hurting a bit at the running back spot, where starter Ryan Grant is still bothered by a sore hamstring and backup Brandon Jackson a question mark this week due to a mild concussion...Grant's injury didn't prevent him from putting up 92 yards on just 12 carries in Monday's win over Minnesota, however...Center Scott Wells (back) likely to miss a second straight game, but Pack should get third wide receiver James Jones (knee) after sitting out the opener...Lions could be without their best defender, Ernie Sims, after the linebacker twisted an ankle in last week's debacle in Atlanta.
Indianapolis at Minnesota: Colts will probably be without tight end Dallas Clark (sprained right knee) in this one, so Minnesota can expect more three-receiver looks from Peyton Manning and company...All-Pro center Jeff Saturday, expected to miss up to the season's first six games with a gimpy knee, has been practicing for Indy this week and is a possibility to play...Colts released starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson on Thursday after a drug arrest, with the 274-pound Raheem Brock slated to shift from end to inside...Vikes' left offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie still serving a four-game suspension, but replacement Artis Hicks (elbow) expected to be okay for the contest.
New Orleans at Washington: The big news for this game is the ligament the Saints' Marques Colston tore in his left thumb in Week 1, an injury that will sideline the standout receiver from 4-to-6 weeks...New Orleans will also be without three defensive starters in linebacker Scott Fujita (knee), strong safety Roman Harper (hamstring) and cornerback Randall Gay (hamstring/illness)...Corner Mike McKenzie, however, expected to go after sitting out the opener following offseason knee surgery...Redskins' biggest injury concern is strongside linebacker Marcus Washington, considered questionable with a sore hamstring.
N.Y. Giants at St. Louis: Rams shorthanded at wide receiver following Drew Bennett's fractured left foot in last week's disaster in Philadelphia and rookie Donnie Avery still likely out with an ailing knee...St. Louis signed 35-year-old Eddie Kennison on Tuesday, with the veteran wideout slated to play immediately...Rams also expected to be without defensive end Leonard Little (hamstring) and left guard Jacob Bell (hamstring)...Giants' defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who rolled his ankle on the final play of the season-opening win over Washington, should be a game-time decision.
Oakland at Kansas City: Huard finished 8-for-12 for 118 yards with a TD and INT after replacing Croyle in last week's loss at New England...Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker slated to play after missing Week 1 with a hamstring strain...Defensive end Derrick Burgess (shoulder) also expected to suit up for Oakland, but left offensive tackle Kwame Harris is a question mark after spraining his knee in the opener.
Tennessee at Cincinnati: Young is thought to be out up to a month with his knee injury, not to mention a badly-bruised psyche...Titans have a big concern on defense as well, with All-Pro tackle Albert Haynesworth considered 50/50 at best to play due to a concussion...Bengals strong safety Dexter Jackson likely out with a broken thumb, but fellow defensive backfield member Chinedum Ndukwe looks to be ready to return from a knee problem which kept him out of last week's tilt.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay: Controversy is beginning to brew in Tampa, where Garcia told the Tampa Tribune earlier this week he believes Bucs head coach Jon Gruden's decision to start Griese over him on Sunday was based more on performance than injury...Linebacker Derrick Brooks, who has played in 209 regular-season games without missing a single one and has started 193 consecutive contests, has both streaks in serious jeopardy after the future Hall of Famer strained his hamstring in Tampa's loss at New Orleans last Sunday...Second-year pro Quincy Black would move into the starting lineup if Brooks can't go, with Cato June shifting from the strong to weak side.
Miami at Arizona: Cardinals starting nose tackle Gabe Watson (knee) and backup Alan Branch (ankle) each missed last Sunday's victory at San Francisco, but both have returned to a limited practice this week and could be available against the Dolphins...Veteran Bryan Robinson started in place of Watson in the opener...Miami placed rookie offensive lineman Donald Thomas on IR after he hurt his foot in last week's game against the Jets, with Ikechuku Ndukwe the team's new starter at right guard.
New England at NY Jets: For once, all eyes won't be on Brett Favre with Cassel set to make his first career start as the Pats begin the Brady-less era...Game-breaking wide receiver Randy Moss also missed some practice time for New England this week with a back ailment, but all indications are he'll play on Sunday...Tight end Ben Watson (knee), however, is expected to miss a second straight game and No. 3 wide receiver Jabar Gaffney (knee) is considered questionable for the Patriots...Jets signed veteran kicker Jay Feely on Monday after Mike Nugent pulled a thigh muscle in the opener and is out for Week 2.
San Diego at Denver: Not long after standout linebacker Shawne Merriman announced his decision to undergo season-ending knee surgery this week, there's a possibility the Chargers could be without their offensive star against the Broncos. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a turf toe problem, although the former league MVP insists he'll be ready for the game...Center Nick Hardwick is still recovering from foot surgery, but San Diego's offensive line may get Marcus McNeill back after the valuable left tackle missed Week 1 with a neck injury...Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie (hip) is questionable for the Denver game, meaning rookie first-round pick Antoine Cason could make his first career start...For the Broncos, linebacker Boss Bailey (high ankle sprain) and center Tom Nalen (knee surgery) look to be about ready after sitting out Monday's rout of Oakland.
San Francisco at Seattle: The Seahawks are still hurting badly at wide receiver, with Nate Burleson tearing his ACL in the Week 1 loss at Buffalo and both Bobby Engram (shoulder) and Deion Branch (knee surgery) still on the shelf...Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace may wind up taking Burleson's starting split end spot for Sunday...Julius Jones will get the bulk of the work for Seattle at running back after Maurice Morris sprained his knee against the Bills...Seahawks right tackle Sean Locklear (knee) likely out another week as well...49ers' most notable injury news regards backup quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, placed on IR on Wednesday with a fractured right shoulder.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed some practice time with a sore shoulder this week, but is in no danger of missing Sunday's matchup...Browns figure to be without No. 2 wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (quadriceps strain) for a second straight week, however...Return specialist Joshua Cribbs, who missed Cleveland's loss to Dallas with an ankle sprain, appears ready to play and share snaps with youngsters Syndric Steptoe and Steve Sanders opposite Pro Bowl wideout Braylon Edwards...Browns also without strong safety Sean Jones, who underwent knee surgery earlier in the week and will be sidelined up to a month, and possibly free safety Brodney Pool, who missed last week with a concussion and is questionable to return...Pittsburgh's Bryant McFadden will start on Sunday for the injured Deshea Townsend (heel) at cornerback.
I'll be providing the injury rundown of Monday's pair of games -- in case you haven't heard, the Baltimore-Houston clash has been pushed back a day due to Hurricane Ike -- later in the week. Also, I'll be blogging from the Meadowlands on Sunday with some thoughts on the Patriots-Jets showdown, as well as the rest of the day's action.
Buffalo at Jacksonville: The Jaguars' offensive line is a mess right now after starting guards Vincent Manuwai (torn ACL) and Maurice Williams (biceps tear) suffered season-ending injuries in last week's loss at Tennessee, while center Brad Meester is still recovering from biceps surgery and remains sidelined...Jacksonville does get some good news on the receiving front, where veteran Jerry Porter appears ready for Sunday after sitting out the opener with an ailing hamstring...Bills Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters, who ended his holdout just prior to Week 1, looks like a good bet to return to his starting spot on the left side.
Chicago at Carolina: Panthers will be without left guard Travelle Wharton (knee sprain), with Geoff Hantgartner expected to get the start...Tight end Dante Rosario, who led Carolina in catches and yards last week, will be a game-time decision with a sprained foot...Panthers star wide receiver Steve Smith to serve the last of his team-issued two-game suspension on Sunday.
Green Bay at Detroit: Packers hurting a bit at the running back spot, where starter Ryan Grant is still bothered by a sore hamstring and backup Brandon Jackson a question mark this week due to a mild concussion...Grant's injury didn't prevent him from putting up 92 yards on just 12 carries in Monday's win over Minnesota, however...Center Scott Wells (back) likely to miss a second straight game, but Pack should get third wide receiver James Jones (knee) after sitting out the opener...Lions could be without their best defender, Ernie Sims, after the linebacker twisted an ankle in last week's debacle in Atlanta.
Indianapolis at Minnesota: Colts will probably be without tight end Dallas Clark (sprained right knee) in this one, so Minnesota can expect more three-receiver looks from Peyton Manning and company...All-Pro center Jeff Saturday, expected to miss up to the season's first six games with a gimpy knee, has been practicing for Indy this week and is a possibility to play...Colts released starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson on Thursday after a drug arrest, with the 274-pound Raheem Brock slated to shift from end to inside...Vikes' left offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie still serving a four-game suspension, but replacement Artis Hicks (elbow) expected to be okay for the contest.
New Orleans at Washington: The big news for this game is the ligament the Saints' Marques Colston tore in his left thumb in Week 1, an injury that will sideline the standout receiver from 4-to-6 weeks...New Orleans will also be without three defensive starters in linebacker Scott Fujita (knee), strong safety Roman Harper (hamstring) and cornerback Randall Gay (hamstring/illness)...Corner Mike McKenzie, however, expected to go after sitting out the opener following offseason knee surgery...Redskins' biggest injury concern is strongside linebacker Marcus Washington, considered questionable with a sore hamstring.
N.Y. Giants at St. Louis: Rams shorthanded at wide receiver following Drew Bennett's fractured left foot in last week's disaster in Philadelphia and rookie Donnie Avery still likely out with an ailing knee...St. Louis signed 35-year-old Eddie Kennison on Tuesday, with the veteran wideout slated to play immediately...Rams also expected to be without defensive end Leonard Little (hamstring) and left guard Jacob Bell (hamstring)...Giants' defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who rolled his ankle on the final play of the season-opening win over Washington, should be a game-time decision.
Oakland at Kansas City: Huard finished 8-for-12 for 118 yards with a TD and INT after replacing Croyle in last week's loss at New England...Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker slated to play after missing Week 1 with a hamstring strain...Defensive end Derrick Burgess (shoulder) also expected to suit up for Oakland, but left offensive tackle Kwame Harris is a question mark after spraining his knee in the opener.
Tennessee at Cincinnati: Young is thought to be out up to a month with his knee injury, not to mention a badly-bruised psyche...Titans have a big concern on defense as well, with All-Pro tackle Albert Haynesworth considered 50/50 at best to play due to a concussion...Bengals strong safety Dexter Jackson likely out with a broken thumb, but fellow defensive backfield member Chinedum Ndukwe looks to be ready to return from a knee problem which kept him out of last week's tilt.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay: Controversy is beginning to brew in Tampa, where Garcia told the Tampa Tribune earlier this week he believes Bucs head coach Jon Gruden's decision to start Griese over him on Sunday was based more on performance than injury...Linebacker Derrick Brooks, who has played in 209 regular-season games without missing a single one and has started 193 consecutive contests, has both streaks in serious jeopardy after the future Hall of Famer strained his hamstring in Tampa's loss at New Orleans last Sunday...Second-year pro Quincy Black would move into the starting lineup if Brooks can't go, with Cato June shifting from the strong to weak side.
Miami at Arizona: Cardinals starting nose tackle Gabe Watson (knee) and backup Alan Branch (ankle) each missed last Sunday's victory at San Francisco, but both have returned to a limited practice this week and could be available against the Dolphins...Veteran Bryan Robinson started in place of Watson in the opener...Miami placed rookie offensive lineman Donald Thomas on IR after he hurt his foot in last week's game against the Jets, with Ikechuku Ndukwe the team's new starter at right guard.
New England at NY Jets: For once, all eyes won't be on Brett Favre with Cassel set to make his first career start as the Pats begin the Brady-less era...Game-breaking wide receiver Randy Moss also missed some practice time for New England this week with a back ailment, but all indications are he'll play on Sunday...Tight end Ben Watson (knee), however, is expected to miss a second straight game and No. 3 wide receiver Jabar Gaffney (knee) is considered questionable for the Patriots...Jets signed veteran kicker Jay Feely on Monday after Mike Nugent pulled a thigh muscle in the opener and is out for Week 2.
San Diego at Denver: Not long after standout linebacker Shawne Merriman announced his decision to undergo season-ending knee surgery this week, there's a possibility the Chargers could be without their offensive star against the Broncos. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a turf toe problem, although the former league MVP insists he'll be ready for the game...Center Nick Hardwick is still recovering from foot surgery, but San Diego's offensive line may get Marcus McNeill back after the valuable left tackle missed Week 1 with a neck injury...Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie (hip) is questionable for the Denver game, meaning rookie first-round pick Antoine Cason could make his first career start...For the Broncos, linebacker Boss Bailey (high ankle sprain) and center Tom Nalen (knee surgery) look to be about ready after sitting out Monday's rout of Oakland.
San Francisco at Seattle: The Seahawks are still hurting badly at wide receiver, with Nate Burleson tearing his ACL in the Week 1 loss at Buffalo and both Bobby Engram (shoulder) and Deion Branch (knee surgery) still on the shelf...Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace may wind up taking Burleson's starting split end spot for Sunday...Julius Jones will get the bulk of the work for Seattle at running back after Maurice Morris sprained his knee against the Bills...Seahawks right tackle Sean Locklear (knee) likely out another week as well...49ers' most notable injury news regards backup quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, placed on IR on Wednesday with a fractured right shoulder.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed some practice time with a sore shoulder this week, but is in no danger of missing Sunday's matchup...Browns figure to be without No. 2 wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (quadriceps strain) for a second straight week, however...Return specialist Joshua Cribbs, who missed Cleveland's loss to Dallas with an ankle sprain, appears ready to play and share snaps with youngsters Syndric Steptoe and Steve Sanders opposite Pro Bowl wideout Braylon Edwards...Browns also without strong safety Sean Jones, who underwent knee surgery earlier in the week and will be sidelined up to a month, and possibly free safety Brodney Pool, who missed last week with a concussion and is questionable to return...Pittsburgh's Bryant McFadden will start on Sunday for the injured Deshea Townsend (heel) at cornerback.
I'll be providing the injury rundown of Monday's pair of games -- in case you haven't heard, the Baltimore-Houston clash has been pushed back a day due to Hurricane Ike -- later in the week. Also, I'll be blogging from the Meadowlands on Sunday with some thoughts on the Patriots-Jets showdown, as well as the rest of the day's action.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Some postgame thoughts
For those who may have tuned into tonight's Giants/Redskins clash around 8:30 or so (EST), you pretty much missed all there was to see. New York scored on its first four possessions (1 touchdown, 3 field goals), then basically sleepwalked through a scoreless second half. On the Washington side, the official unveiling of new head coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense was more Edsel than Corvette -- the Redskins' lone score in the 16-7 loss came in the final minutes of the second quarter and probably wouldn't have come about if not for a 50-yard kick return by special teams ace Rock Cartwright into Giants' territory.
Some notes and observations:
-- Plaxico Burress is a happy and healthy camper, and the proof was in the pudding tonight. After missing a good portion of training camp due to a sore ankle which may or may not have been related to a contract squabble, the rangy wide receiver showed his appreciation for the lucrative two-year contract extension he agreed to just prior to Thursday's game by shredding Washington's banged-up secondary for 133 yards on 10 catches. During New York's 11-play, 84-yard touchdown march to open the game, Burress had three grabs totaling 60 yards.
-With 44-year-old kicker John Carney joining 42-year-old punter Jeff Feagles on the opening-week roster, the Giants became the first team in the Super Bowl era to have two players 42 or over at one time. It marks the first time since 1999 that Feagles is not the elder statesman on his team (a great note courtesy of the Giants media relations staff and the Elias Sports Bureau).
-Two rookies, linebacker Bryan Kehl and free safety Kenny Phillips, saw a lot of second-half playing time for the Giants and both impressed. Kehl was unofficially credited with five solo tackles and displayed good speed and instincts in his debut, while first-round pick Phillips made a nifty open-field tackle to end a Redskins drive in the third quarter.
-One young Giant who didn't make an impact was second-year tight end Kevin Boss. Jeremy Shockey's successor finished without a catch and received few looks from quarterback Eli Manning, possibly because Burress was routinely having his way on one-on-one matchups with corners Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot.
-For all the hubbub about Zorn and his innovative play-calling, the Redskins' offense looked an awful lot like the conservative operation predecessor Joe Gibbs favored during his two tenures. Washington rarely took shots downfield through the air and mustered a paltry 100 total yards and five first downs through the first three quarters. Perhaps the six points the Redskins produced over the final two preseason games were more telling than originally thought.
-New Redskins defensive end and accomplished dancer Jason Taylor made his 131st consecutive regular-season start despite being hobbled by a sprained knee, but the injury seemed to have an effect on the perennial All-Pro. Taylor was credited with just two tackles and had little impact on the game as a pass rusher.
-Washington's Chris Cooley extended his streak of consecutive games with a catch to 56, but the standout tight end didn't make his only reception (a seven-yard grab) until with under four minutes to go.
QUOTABLE
-"I could tell before the game, during our warmup, that he had a lot of energy. He felt good and it showed." -- Manning on Burress
-"To play a Super Bowl defending (champion) team, you can not be as poor as we were on offense and expect to come out and win." -- Zorn
Some notes and observations:
-- Plaxico Burress is a happy and healthy camper, and the proof was in the pudding tonight. After missing a good portion of training camp due to a sore ankle which may or may not have been related to a contract squabble, the rangy wide receiver showed his appreciation for the lucrative two-year contract extension he agreed to just prior to Thursday's game by shredding Washington's banged-up secondary for 133 yards on 10 catches. During New York's 11-play, 84-yard touchdown march to open the game, Burress had three grabs totaling 60 yards.
-With 44-year-old kicker John Carney joining 42-year-old punter Jeff Feagles on the opening-week roster, the Giants became the first team in the Super Bowl era to have two players 42 or over at one time. It marks the first time since 1999 that Feagles is not the elder statesman on his team (a great note courtesy of the Giants media relations staff and the Elias Sports Bureau).
-Two rookies, linebacker Bryan Kehl and free safety Kenny Phillips, saw a lot of second-half playing time for the Giants and both impressed. Kehl was unofficially credited with five solo tackles and displayed good speed and instincts in his debut, while first-round pick Phillips made a nifty open-field tackle to end a Redskins drive in the third quarter.
-One young Giant who didn't make an impact was second-year tight end Kevin Boss. Jeremy Shockey's successor finished without a catch and received few looks from quarterback Eli Manning, possibly because Burress was routinely having his way on one-on-one matchups with corners Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot.
-For all the hubbub about Zorn and his innovative play-calling, the Redskins' offense looked an awful lot like the conservative operation predecessor Joe Gibbs favored during his two tenures. Washington rarely took shots downfield through the air and mustered a paltry 100 total yards and five first downs through the first three quarters. Perhaps the six points the Redskins produced over the final two preseason games were more telling than originally thought.
-New Redskins defensive end and accomplished dancer Jason Taylor made his 131st consecutive regular-season start despite being hobbled by a sprained knee, but the injury seemed to have an effect on the perennial All-Pro. Taylor was credited with just two tackles and had little impact on the game as a pass rusher.
-Washington's Chris Cooley extended his streak of consecutive games with a catch to 56, but the standout tight end didn't make his only reception (a seven-yard grab) until with under four minutes to go.
QUOTABLE
-"I could tell before the game, during our warmup, that he had a lot of energy. He felt good and it showed." -- Manning on Burress
-"To play a Super Bowl defending (champion) team, you can not be as poor as we were on offense and expect to come out and win." -- Zorn
Something Else About Ocho Cinco...
I know I'm supposed to be watching the Giants/Redskins game, but our Scott Garbarini is there covering it so I'm going to take one eye off the TV to weigh in on the newly-ordained Chad Ocho Cinco. Frankly, I've got no real problem with it. There are dumber names in the NFL. I'm just glad he changed it to something I won't have trouble spelling - Chad Houshmandzadeh would have been a problem.
Anyway, I have a scenario for you. The 2008 season ends with the Bengals in typical disarray, and Chad and Cincinnati decide to part ways. Since he'll be smack-dab in the middle of the six-year extension he signed in April of 2006, Cincinnati will be inclined to move him via a trade.
At the same time, the 2008 season ends poorly for the Rams, and the team decides to trade (as they explored doing this past March) top wideout Torry Holt. Now in the market for a wide receiver, St. Louis and whoever its next coach is decide Chad Ocho Cinco fits their needs.
Bengals and Rams agree to trade. Just one problem though - the man whose name translates in Spanish to "eight, five" has been moved to a team where the No. 85 has been retired in honor of Jack Youngblood (the Lions are the other team for which 85 is retired). What does Chad do now? He either refuses to report to the Rams or changes his name again, I guess. Chad Ocho Seis? Chad Doce? Or maybe back to Chad Johnson. Whatever he does, he looks like a fool, though at this point I'm kind of figuring that doesn't matter to him a whole lot.
I know it's far-fetched, but wouldn't that be fun?
Anyway, I have a scenario for you. The 2008 season ends with the Bengals in typical disarray, and Chad and Cincinnati decide to part ways. Since he'll be smack-dab in the middle of the six-year extension he signed in April of 2006, Cincinnati will be inclined to move him via a trade.
At the same time, the 2008 season ends poorly for the Rams, and the team decides to trade (as they explored doing this past March) top wideout Torry Holt. Now in the market for a wide receiver, St. Louis and whoever its next coach is decide Chad Ocho Cinco fits their needs.
Bengals and Rams agree to trade. Just one problem though - the man whose name translates in Spanish to "eight, five" has been moved to a team where the No. 85 has been retired in honor of Jack Youngblood (the Lions are the other team for which 85 is retired). What does Chad do now? He either refuses to report to the Rams or changes his name again, I guess. Chad Ocho Seis? Chad Doce? Or maybe back to Chad Johnson. Whatever he does, he looks like a fool, though at this point I'm kind of figuring that doesn't matter to him a whole lot.
I know it's far-fetched, but wouldn't that be fun?
Giants picking up right where they left off
If the first two offensive possessions of the 2008 NFL season are any indication, the defending Super Bowl-winning New York Giants are looking like champs once again.
The G-Men took the opening kickoff off tonight's clash with the Washington Redskins and promptly marched 84 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown. Quarterback Eli Manning, one of the many heroes during New York's remarkable postseason run last winter, completed 4-of-7 passes for 68 yards on the series and capped it with a one-yard run to paydirt. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, the proud recipient of a new two-year contract extension, caught three of those strikes for 60 yards.
New York's defense flashed its 2007 form as well on Washington's first drive. On the Redskins' initial play from scrimmage, quarterback Jason Campbell was sacked by end Justin Tuck for an eight-yard loss, leading to a quick three-and-out. Who needs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, anyway?
The G-Men took the opening kickoff off tonight's clash with the Washington Redskins and promptly marched 84 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown. Quarterback Eli Manning, one of the many heroes during New York's remarkable postseason run last winter, completed 4-of-7 passes for 68 yards on the series and capped it with a one-yard run to paydirt. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, the proud recipient of a new two-year contract extension, caught three of those strikes for 60 yards.
New York's defense flashed its 2007 form as well on Washington's first drive. On the Redskins' initial play from scrimmage, quarterback Jason Campbell was sacked by end Justin Tuck for an eight-yard loss, leading to a quick three-and-out. Who needs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, anyway?
Jason Taylor to start for 'Skins
Here are the inactives for tonight's season opener between the Giants and Redskins. Washington defensive end Jason Taylor, considered a game-time decision with a sprained knee, will start and make his regular-season debut as a Redskin. Normal left cornerback Shawn Springs, however, is out with an injured calf. Veteran Fred Smoot is starting in his place.
For the Giants, kicker Lawrence Tynes is still recovering from preseason knee surgery and will not play. John Carney, 44 years young, was signed by Big Blue earlier in the week and will assume those duties.
Here are the rest:
Giants: RB Reuben Droughns, CB Terrell Thomas (hamstring), CB Sam Madison (sports hernia surgery), LB Jonathan Goff (back), OT Adam Koets, DE Dave Tollefson, WR Mario Manningham
Redskins: Colt Brennan (3rd QB), WR Malcolm Kelly (knee), S Kareem Moore (hamstring), OG Chad Rinehart, TE Fred Davis, DE Rob Jackson
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