Thoughts from the pulpit after NFL week 1

[RevBillyC]

Who would have predicted before week 1 that Indianapolis, San Diego & Jacksonville are all in real danger of starting off out of an 0-2 hole?
The Colts & Jags offensive lines are disasters.
The Bolts lost the key to their defense, and Antonio Gates looks like an average TE.
Will injuries & Norv Turner ruin the Chargers year?

If Green Bay can find a way to win the NFC North while developing Aaron Rodgers, Greenfield's (a Pittsburgh city neighborhood) Mike McCarthy should be coach of the year after all he's been through.

If feel bad for (almost) every player that has to wear a Raider uni - Can someone please make Al Davis an appointment with Dr Kevorkian?

Marvin Lewis is dead coach walking, and the Bengirls will finish last in the AFC north.

Donovan McNabb will be the NFL comeback player of the year.

Steve (anger issues) Smith will put together a huge 14-game season, helping to save John Fox's job in Carolina.

[Smooth Criminal]

I can agree with most of those. I can really see all of those teams stating 0-2. I can see the Williams destorying the interior line of the Colts. Collapse the pocket and Manning will collapse.

I think the Bears are going to win the NFC North.

I'm not convinced McNabb can stay healthy for the year. Jake Delholme is a nice bet for comeback player as well.

[Sean]

Who would have predicted before week 1 that Indianapolis, San Diego & Jacksonville are all in real danger of starting off out of an 0-2 hole?
The Colts & Jags offensive lines are disasters.
The Bolts lost the key to their defense, and Antonio Gates looks like an average TE.
Will injuries & Norv Turner ruin the Chargers year?

If Green Bay can find a way to win the NFC North while developing Aaron Rodgers, Greenfield's (a Pittsburgh city neighborhood) Mike McCarthy should be coach of the year after all he's been through.

If feel bad for (almost) every player that has to wear a Raider uni - Can someone please make Al Davis an appointment with Dr Kevorkian?

Marvin Lewis is dead coach walking, and the Bengirls will finish last in the AFC north.

Donovan McNabb will be the NFL comeback player of the year.

Steve (anger issues) Smith will put together a huge 14-game season, helping to save John Fox's job in Carolina.

My thoughts on your assessments...

*Very good analysis. Can't say I disagree with much at all...

*Green Bay will win the NFC North.

*Donovan McNabb won't be the comeback player of the year. I don't know who will, but I ain't buying the fact that he'll string together many performances like that this season.

*Steve Smith, pound for pound, is the best receiver in the NFL.

*Marvin Lewis is counting the days until his contract expires. From there, he'll go back to being a defensive coordinator...and a pretty damn good one at that. He'll get another turn as a head coach within 5 years.

*Al Davis is as bad for the NFL as he appears physically.

[FistfullofRings]

*Steve Smith, pound for pound, is the best receiver in the NFL.

I thought "pound for pound" only applied to boxers, weight-lifters and wrestlers?

[BlastFurnace]

So much perception can change after a Week 1 win if you lose in Week 2. I think the Steelers are a very good team and will still think so no matter what happens after the Cleveland game.

I still think that San Diego and Indianapolis will be Playoff teams as well when it is all said and done.

Right now, I'm happy to be the fan of a winning team.

[Spike]

After re-watching our game 3 or times times in slo-mo, backwards forwards and sideways, I have to say we have no idea how good this team is yet.

The offense shut it down mid-way through the 2nd quarter and the 2nd team D pretty played the whole second half.

Kemo is a beast, Suh-weet titties is gonna break some big ones and the defense is pissed off.


Can't wait for Sunday Night.

[RevBillyC]

I think the Bears are going to win the NFC North.

Jake Delhomme is a nice bet for comeback player as well.

The Bears won't be able to muster much offense when teams stack the box against the run, their passing attack scares nobody. Their defense will keep them competitive, but don't forget they did what they did week 1 against a depleted O-line.
I still like the Pack, whose defense might even be better.

Delhomme would certainly be in the running - no NFL QB has had Tommy John surgery & continued a career, much less post big passing numbers. I've always liked Delhomme, he's the most 'regular guy" you're likely to find among NFL stars.

[Smooth Criminal]

Kemo looked like a dominant LG. I loved his performance. Hes going to need locked up after this season.

[Smooth Criminal]

The Bears won't be able to muster much offense when teams stack the box against the run, their passing attack scares nobody. Their defense will keep them competitive, but don't forget they did what they did week 1 against a depleted O-line.
I still like the Pack, whose defense might even be better.

Delhomme would certainly be in the running - no NFL QB has had Tommy John surgery & continued a career, much less post big passing numbers. I've always liked Delhomme, he's the most 'regular guy" you're likely to find among NFL stars.

I expect Forte to have a solid season rushing the ball and Orton doesn't throw to many pics, which is all this offense needs. Their best offense is Hester who gets them some damn good field position almost every drive.

But the defense looked very good. They look like the unit that went to the superbowl. And they always play the Packers well.

Delholme is just a good story. If he can lead the Panthers to above .500 season I think he should get it. But I'm not expecting to many games like that from McNabb this season either.

[K from Cal]

If Green Bay can find a way to win the NFC North .

many good points Rev. I'm still picking Minny to win their division though. their defense and Adrian Peterson should take them to many wins this season. teams will learn how to play Rodgers pretty quickly.

[FistfullofRings]

I'm still picking Minny to win their division though. their defense and Adrian Peterson should take them to many wins this season.

And as for Tavarus Jackson???

[Stryker]

I don't think Fox's job is safe. I think Cowher takes over as coach of the Panthers next year.

[Crime Fighter]

After re-watching our game 3 or times times in slo-mo, backwards forwards and sideways, I have to say we have no idea how good this team is yet.

The offense shut it down mid-way through the 2nd quarter and the 2nd team D pretty played the whole second half.

Kemo is a beast, Suh-weet titties is gonna break some big ones and the defense is pissed off.


Can't wait for Sunday Night.

LOL, I also watched it like 4x and it was a complete mauling.

I agree about not really knowing who we are just yet. Texans aren't a measuring stick by no means, and it looks like we won't get a real good test until we play Philly few weeks down the road. ;)

[Smooth Criminal]

We are gonna get some good tests in the coming weeks. Over the next for weeks we play Cleveland, Philly and Jacksonville all on the road. We struggled on the road last year so it'll be interesting to see if we can get it together and not lose games to teams like Arizona, Denver, and New York.

[Super Dave]

Good Schtick

[FistfullofRings]

I don't think Fox's job is safe. I think Cowher takes over as coach of the Panthers next year.

Oddly, I'm pretty sure people were saying that exact same a year ago...

[BuckeyeSteel]

After re-watching our game 3 or times times in slo-mo, backwards forwards and sideways, I have to say we have no idea how good this team is yet.
Can't wait for Sunday Night.

LOL, I also watched it like 4x and it was a complete mauling.


I have a question for those that watched and re-watched...
I did not get to watch (I live in Indy viewing area), did the Defence Helmet seem to make any impact? Who all wore it?

[Sean]

I thought "pound for pound" only applied to boxers, weight-lifters and wrestlers?

I can't remember the last time a short receiver was this dominant in the NFL...

And if "pound for pound" only applies to boxers, weight lifting, and the like then let's take the cliche out. Steve Smith is still one of the best WRs in the NFL today. He can take over a game like few others in the league. There have been times when double-teaming him still wasn't enough.

Considering his suspension, maybe "pound for pound" is fitting however.

[Sean]

I have a question for those that watched and re-watched...
I did not get to watch (I live in Indy viewing area), did the Defence Helmet seem to make any impact? Who all wore it?

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08252/910380-66.stm

Houston, we have a problem

Linebacker James Farrior wore a helmet that contained a radio receiver, the first time a Steelers defensive player has worn the communications device since it was approved by the NFL this year. The defensive captain receives the play calls and alignments from his coaches and relays them to his teammates.

It went smoothly, except he could hear nothing before the most crucial defensive play for the Steelers in the game. It was fourth-and-1 on the Steelers' 48 and Houston coach Gary Kubiak told his offense to go for the first down.

Quarterback Matt Schaub tried a quarterback sneak that was stopped short.

"On that fourth-down play, I didn't hear the call," Farrior said, "so I made up some stuff and we stopped them, so I feel I can coach later on in life."

Farrior said the crowd noise at times prevented him from hearing a few calls.

"A couple of times when it got to third down it got so loud I couldn't hear it. I felt we could use [hand] signals in that situation.''

[SteelerFan448]

"On that fourth-down play, I didn't hear the call," Farrior said, "so I made up some stuff and we stopped them, so I feel I can coach later on in life."

That's funny!! He made a great call though. That was an early play that changed the game.

[Smooth Criminal]

HAHA nice call by Farrior. That was a huge stop on 4th and 1.

They gotta find a way to turn the volume up on that damn thing.

[markymarc]

That is pretty funny with Farrior and wearing the defensive helmet. Thanks for sharing Sean. Definitely good guess by Farrior on the 4th down call.

[RevBillyC]

I don't think Fox's job is safe. I think Cowher takes over as coach of the Panthers next year.

After the Redskins miss the playoffs this year, Dan Snyder will throw a boatload of $$$ at Cowher, and Bill will take it.

[DaSwitz]

HAHA nice call by Farrior. That was a huge stop on 4th and 1.

They gotta find a way to turn the volume up on that damn thing.

I'm not sure how much that will help. Fans are used to making as much noise as possible when the defense is on the field. Part of the reason fans are encouraged to make that noise, is that it makes it very hard for the offensive QB to hear the call.

Even if you turn up the volume, if there's enough background noise from the fans it can still be difficult to hear.