I have been slacking on my football recaps. This was supposed to be a weekly staple but it has quickly fizzled out.I have the notes every week but the execution part has been seriously lacking. I was trying to hold out for money but my agent’s demands ( large amounts of whiskey, cigs, KY) caved faster than the Tribe’s World Series hopes. My boss (ME) put me back to work over the weekend in hopes of reviving this endeavor and I was able squeeze in 2 solid days of football viewing. Here is MY NFL Football Fix:
The Week 7 of the National Football League could be summed up quickly by the fact that was only one matchup (Bucs/Lions) between above 500 teams. There were a few close finishes but overall, the play was very lackluster. Great finishes does not necessarily translate into good football and this was the case on Sunday.
The other highlighted theme was the retread QBs, who either led their team to last second victories or set them up on final drives. Brian Greise and Kerry Collins had impressive last second game winning drives. Both Sage Rosenfelds and Kurt Warner put their team in position to win games, only to see the Texan defense and Zona kicker, misfire on these opportunities.
Here is my breakdown of my observations of each game on Sunday.
Skins 21 Cardinals 19
This was one of the main games that I watched in its entirety and if the Skins had any resemblance of an offense, it would have been a blow out. Robo QB Kurt Warner, playing with a huge brace on his blown out left elbow, gave the Skins 14 points with 2 INTS. One pick was returned by London Flethcher for a score and another set up a score. The Skins still won this game with less than 200 yards total offense. The key part of the game was when the Skins blocked a Cards extra point at the end of the first half and Rackers freaked out on Carlos Rogers. . Check out the video.
When the Cards scored at the end of the game, they had to go for 2 points and their unsuccessful play choice of WR pass by Anaquan Boldin was highly questionable. Boldin, who went to FSU as a QB, had Larry Fitzgerald open but threw an absolute duck, right too a Skins Defender. The Cards recovered the onsides kick, Warner completed a few passes to the cards in Rackers range but he pushed the kick.
Fletcher was everywhere in this game and Greg Williams has been brilliant in backing off of his blitzing style. I love coaches that find success and exploit it, instead of stubbornly trying to use their system, no matter what. Sean Taylor is back to his 05 form and is playing at a high pro bowl level.
Where was Cooley in this game? He tore up Green Bay last week and he barely had any touches.
I hate the new delay of game ruling and taunting rule. It is so stupid, Fletcher flexed his muscles after making a big hit and they gave the other team a first down. NO FUN LEAGUE.
Titans 38, Texans 36
This game and the Bills/Cowboys MNF game are the 2 craziest NFL games that I have seen in 07. Schaub was knocked out on 2 separate occasions and the Texas kept turning the ball over. Sage "the Rage" Rosenfelds came in, with the Texans trailing 32-7 in the 4th quarter, and almost pulled a Frank Reich like comeback. His last TD bomb was an unbelievable throw/catch and this go ahead score was even possible after the Texans recovered 2 onside kicks in a row. The first recovery was called back because of a penalty.
I was about to stick a fork in the Titans until Kerry Collins made 2 perfect throws to get his team into FG range. Rob "My" Bironas punched his NFL record 8 FG through uprights for the game winner. Other Notes:
The Texans made this comeback attempt with 2 white receivers catching several balls. I was actually getting confused as to which whitey was making the catches and THIS never happens in the NFL.
The analyst Randy Cross pulled out a first heard superlative to describe the Texan fans and teams state during this 4th quarter rally: "Texans are experiencing a Tsunami of Emotion."HUH? Is it appropriate to use a disaster that killed a 100,000 thousand people just a few years as a football adjective? I know Cross did not mean any harm but I thought it was out of nowhere.
After Birnoas made the game winner, Enberg made 2 long winded comments to Bironas about his long struggle to make it to the NFL. This is Bironas' 3rd season in the league and he just kicked the game winning. NFL record breaking kick a few minutes ago, would you not bring up his time with AFL Swamp foxes right away?
A final shocking revelation was seeing the sweat pour down Bironas's face like he was on the 10th mile of the Chicago marathon. I never knew kicker's could perspire.
Bills 19, Ravens 14
I missed much of this game and it looks like I did not miss much. Ravens struggles on the road continue and Ray Lewis is questioning Billick's play calling abilities.
Pats 49, Fins 28
I did not mention Tom Brady in the opening paragraphs because I do not have him or Moss on my fantasy teams and the national media is doing a good enough job slobbering the Patriots. The first half of this game (42-7) reminded me of an All Star Madden Gamer crushing a beginner as it was almost comical. The Pats drove at will, Brady kept chucking TDs and Moss was leaping from nowhere to make 2 sick TD grabs.
Plus, I am convinced all owners of Pats RBs in fantasy should drop them now. Bellicheck will probably give the ball to Vrabel or Seau anyway on the goal line.
Craziest part was the Pats put in their backup Cassells, who threw a pick for a TD to bring the Fins within 21 so Brady comes back in and tosses his 6th TD.
Giants 33, 49ers 15
I saw enough of this contest that the 49ers suck on offense and Brandon Jacobs is back healthy, stealing away my fantasy RB Derrick Wards TD. They play of this game was Giants DE Big O (his name is too long) crushing Dilfer from his blindside, forcing a fumble, picking it up, and racing all the way to the end zone. Dude has more speed than Ellen Degeneres does fake doggy tears. I am shocked that the Giants seemed to have turned their season around after the stink bombs they threw up the first 2 weeks.
Saints 22 Falcons 16
The ultimate battle of 2 teams in utter disaray. The Saints can not find their 06 mojo. Coach Payton keeps burying and digging stuff back up to revive their season. The Falcons 07 season was also buried metaphorically by 50 canine graves in Virginia.
Leftwich was looking all right until he injured his ankle and John Joseph Harrington was not able to save the day. Roddy White had a career fantasy game and Reggie Bush made the end zone. Falcons LB Keith Brookings seemed clueless on this Bush TD run.
Lions 23, Bucs 16
I was hoping to see a Jeff Garcia/Roy Williams fight but those two did not square off. Roy the Pizza Boy, ripped Garcia in the media and said his 2 year old could figure out the West Coast offense. Garcia had a key red zone fumbled snap that cost the Bucs a chance at a late comeback. It appears that Kitna's preseason prediction of 10 wins for the Lions might not be so delusional after all.
For fantasy purposes Bucks RB Ernest Graham had a big yardage game, Kevin Jones looks to be a solid starter again and Bucs WR Ike Hillard is back from the dead, becoming a Garcia favorite target.
Chief 12 Raiders 10
Every time I turned it to this game, not much was going on. I did catch Cullpepper toss a pick on a potential go ahead drive in the waning moments of the game. Check out the Soulja Boy for your Weekly Chiefs Highlights.
Bengals 38, Jets31
The only reason that the Jets might win 4 games is that they get to play Buffalo and Miami again. The Bengals are not a playoff team either and Marvin Lewis could start being on the hot seat. L Coles showed some speed on some long TD catches but the Bengals Offensive was eventually just too much for Gang greenless Jets defense. Kenny Watson will be a good fantasy start if Rudi keeps sitting out games.
Bears 19 Eagles 16
This game of 2 sputtering offenses was awful to watch and the last 2 minutes was the only exciting parts. I actually said, "Can Brian Greise lead the Bears 97 yards in 2 minutes for the winning TD?" My sarcastic question was answered by the improbable Greise winning drive. As a Packer fan, I wanted the Eagles to put a dagger in deeper in the Bears season already but now they still have life. Griese gives them a more effective passing game. However, the writing is on the wall that RB Benson will forever be a bust in this league.
Seahawks 33, Rams 6
Every time I turned this game on, Bulger was either getting sacked or running for his life. It was not the week in fantasy to go up against Seahawks D as they absolutely destroyed the Rams. I have not seen a QB look so shell shocked than Bulger does under center right now. He better be happy that he signed that contract extension before the season. The Rams season officially ended when Orlando Pace tore up his shoulder in the first game. What happened to Shaun Alexander? He used to dominate fantasy football but now he can not get 50 yards against the Rams? Crazy.
I noticed Seattle backup QB and sometimes WR, Seneca Wallace was sporting large amounts of teal on his shoes. I liked the look and thus, ultimately meansn that the NFL will not and fine him thousands of dollars. I am reserving my 1000 words rant on the fascist, overbearing, micromanaging NFL for another day.
I did enjoy Ichiro waving the Seahawks 12th man towel around, sporting a bright color turtlekneck. I have never seen the guy smile, even after Japan won the World Baseball Championships.
Cowboys 24, Vikings 14
MEMO to Viqueens Head Coach: FEED APETE! Purple Jesus is the most offensively talented rookie to come into this league since LT or Randy Moss, GIVE HIM THE BALL! No one can tackle this guy and 12 carries is despicable. Can you tell that I have APete on 2 of my fantasy squads?
Tavarias Jackson is not the answer either at QB, at least not now. He has a live arm and good mobility but he is not accurate with the ball nor can he read defenses at all. I have no idea why the Vikes' personnel department thought he was ready to be a starting QB in this league. Both crappy Holcomb or Bollinger give them a better chance to win than Jackson.
It is good to see the Cowboys finally are giving Marion Barber the majority of the work load and decreasing Julian Jones' carriers. Barber might be harder to bring down that Purple Jesus. This was a strange game as the Cowboys clearly dominated but it was still close due to defensive touchdowns, yet it was never in doubt because of the limited ability of the aforementioned Jackson.
Broncos 31, Steelers 28
For a putrid day of football, this game was a well needed refresher. Both Big Ben and Culter had big days. The defenses made key plays and it came down to the leg of Bronco K, Jason Elam. He has won all 3 of the Broncos wins on last second FGs. Does this guy ever miss a key FG? Elam and Vinateri are 2 kickers of this generation that I would argue would deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. Gary and Morten Anderson too but they still keep coming back into the league.
Colts 29, Jags 7
While the announcers continually talked about the Patriots at every chance they could get, the Colts pounded the Jags right in their throat. They methodically drove down on 3 straight first half drives to make it 17-0 and put the game away. Bobby "da hitman" Sanders energy seems to be contageous on this defensive as other players fly around and make big plays. Once Garrard went down it was over and I would avoid using many Jacksonville players in fantasy. Taylor might be a decent play now that Jones-Drew is hurt. This was a total disastrous games for the Jags.
Memo to ABC: Stop putting people in the booth and have your annoucners actually talk about the game! I do not understand this idea of constantly annoying your fan base by an utter distraction for a full 30-45 minutes.
Most could care less about Russell Crowe, Jimmy Kimmel, or even my man Charles Barkley has to say during a NFL game. Unless they are directly relevant to the action on the field, do not have them talk at all.
Next can you either take off the muzzle off of Kornheiser and make him funny again or throw him to the curb. His jokes are timid/lame/dated and most guys sitting at a bar know more about the football than he does. His whole personality career has been based on self deprication humor and him ripping part everyone that he does not like. In the MNF booth, I hear none of this and it is pretty unbearable.
I am about to take PTI off my TIVO. If you made it this far, you are a true Mac Gs World reader. Your reward is nothing. word.
Mac Gs World
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