subject: NFL GAMES WEEK ONE [print this page] The first weeks gamesprovidedsome questionable, some scary,some predictable moments,and a couple of disappointments.
I'm going to start with the most the questionable. Detroits Calvin Johnson apparent winning touchdownpass that was ruled an incomplete pass,which according to the rules,that was the right call. I don't know about the the specific rule since, I don't have a copy of the rule book, and honestly don't want one. But what I do know that if that catch is made anywhere else on field,Johnson had two feet down, a knee down, with the control of the football and he was touched by the defensive player. That is catch. Pure and simple. Everyone, players, coaches, refs , fans, media, the family dog knows this. Evidently according to the "rule book", a player must not only have control the ball, he must have the ball in his hands when he gets up,(Johnson used the ball to prop himself up, then he lost it) runs to celebrate with his teamates, sits on the bench, with control of the football,and then and only then, is this a touchdown. I've never heard about this until sunday. This is a terrible rule and needs to changed, like now. Detroit got shanked. Chicago got the biggest gift since New England received the benefit of the Brady "Tuck Rule" against Oakland in the playoffs following 2001 season. I doubt this effects whether Detroit or Chicago makes the playoffs, since both are basically bottom feeders.
The scariest moment occured during the Green Bay, Phildelphia game, when Eagle middle linebacker Stewart Brady made a tackle, got up, and just fell to the ground, he was knocked out. The Eaglestaff took him to the sidelines, sat himon the bench. Iandsure most people could you see the dazed look in his eyes andstars floating around him. He should have been taken to locker room and not played for the rest of the game, which is the standard procedure becauseof the league is very aware ofthe danger of concessions. The medical staff of the Eaglesapparentleydonot know this because a few plays later he was back in the game. Idid not see what they asked him but it probably wentlike this,"How areyoufeeling?" "I don't know. "Ok, get back in the game". I'm glad theyfinally sat him and the quarterback, Kolb for the second half,who also had a concession, but the league should look into this matter, becauseboth situations could havebecome lifethreatening.
Now the predictable moments. I'm not surprised Houstonbeat Indianapolis, they have beenpointing to thisgame since the schedule cameout, andtheColts areprobably still suffering a Super Bowl hang over. Lets see if the Texans can build on this.The Colts are an experience bunch and should rebound from this loss. Washingtonbeating Dallas is no surprise to me because theRedskins always play Dallas tough, even when they stink, and Dallas looked like theydid the entire preseason, listless and mistake prone on offense, way too manypenalties.Theirdefense looked great, so not to worry Cowboy fans, they will be fine. Michael Vic playing well, I've been hearingthat he has his legsback,and obvisously he has. He looked like the Vic from the Atlanta days. Kolblooked shaky, before he got concession. Heshould be out a few games to clear his and head andhe probably won't get his job back. Oaklandgetting smoked byTennessee. New quarterback, same old sorry Raiders. They lookedawful, even by their standards. Can't blame this loss on Jamarcus Russell. Chris Johnson, best back in the league by far and VinceYoung, does nothinggreat except winsgames. Colts better watch out, they got somemajor competition this year. The potty mouthed Jets losing to Baltimore. Baltimore's defenseshut down theJets because theiroffense is sopredictable, run, run thenshort pass. If Rex does not all allow Sanchez tothrow the ball down the field, they're going to be nothing but a five hundred team no matter how good their defense is. Baltimore offense is much more explosive and diverse ,they should of scored more points.
The most dissappointing. San Francisco. They got blown out by a team with a new coach, with almost all new players. The 49ers were the trendy pick to win the division, including mine, but they looked terrible. Singletary looked pissed off. If I was a player, I would not say a word on the flight back, or he might make you make sit on the wing. Cincinnatti. NowI know first game in New England is tough, but they didn't even show up. Theirdefense which was great last year got pushed up and down the field. ThePatriots could have scored 50 if they wanted too. The Bengaloffense put upnumbers, but most of itwas garbage yards and touchdowns when the game was out of hand. Finally San Diego losing to Kansas City. They Chargers looked flat and out of sorts. They should know every game against the Cheifs is going to be a dog fight. The new Arrowhead was rocking last night. The loudest and the best fans in the league.
The good thing for all teams andtheir fans is that this is just week one, and as far asI know, noone is eliminated from the playoffs, except Cleveland, (at least you have LeBron, Opps. Sorry, noyou don't.) Thereare plenty of games toplay.
