Going into and even during some of the games this past weekend there was a lot of frustration, anger, disappointment by both players and coaches alike. First I'll start with Brandon Marshall, who, unfortunately, did not live up to the hype. Claiming to reporters before his game on Monday night that his mission was to be ejected from the game by the second quarter. He was planning on fighting the likes of Bart Scott or cornerback Antonio Cromartie but no such festivities lit up my television :(
Normally not the best plan for an all-pro receiver.
But his passion is understandable. The Miami Dolphins are now 0-6, the team's coach doesn't know what he is doing, their quarterback is some guy named Matt Moore, and the team's in shambles. With the type of talent that Marshall has he expects to win and wants to win every game. So when the team loses he puts it on himself as a leader of this offense. Saying he was going to get ejected or start a fight was his way of telling the Jets that he was taking his game up a notch or six.
Good for him to carry this burden. He knows he is a role model for some of the players on the Dolphins and can really be an impact player to help get their new quarterback comfortable throwing the ball.
Now of course I have to talk about the WWE Raw Sunday Matinée that broke out at the end of the San Francisco 49ers Detroit Lions game (watch the scuffle here). My reaction to it all? Hey Jim Harbaugh, chill bro. Jim Schwartz NAILED IT during his press conference afterwards in saying:
"When you win a game like that you're excited and things like that but I think there is a protocol that goes with this league"
Exactly. Sure you just had a huge game and a great win and all that. But show some composure. Act like you've done it before. Don't body bump the opposing coach to say good game. And in the turmoil don't be an arrogant shithead and say "I must have shaken his hand too hard." Yeah you did, as well as yell in his face, push him out of the way, and have absolutely no respect in that his team made you earn that win. I am glad to see that no fines were handed out by
Onto what stuck out at me this week around the NFL.
1) The Patriots Defense Does Exist
This is the more aggressive defense that I have been waiting to see from the Patriots. The cover teams are still a bit questionable but they faired well against great receivers in Jason Whitten (4 catches 48 yards and 1 touchdown), Dez Bryant (4 catches 78 yards), and Miles Austin (7 catches 74 yards) and Kyle Arrington had an interception.
However, my focus is on the "should be dominant" Patriots front seven. FINALLY there was some pressure on a quarterback! Andre Carter is slowly making a case for being one of the top defensive ends in the NFL by adding 2 sacks to his total on the season and Wilfork continues to be a turnover machine with a forced fumble on running back Tashard Choice. Tony Romo ended up being hit 4 times through the game which shows some sort of pressure being created by New England's front line.
Overall, the 32nd ranked New England defense was able to hold the 4th ranked Dallas offense to 16 points and even better hold them in the red zone for only a 33% touchdown conversion rate with only goal to go for yards. Certainly a stepping stone for this defense to build on and hopefully can continue to produce this sort of result.
2) One Lucky Winner
I think it's official. The race for Andrew Luck is on. If you look at teams with a very losing record; I'd say Indianapolis, Miami, and Minnesota; the one thing they need desperately is a quarterback. With the Colts, they have officially proven that without Peyton Manthang they cannot win games.
Curtis Painter is a third year backup quarterback and wasn't expected to have to play when the Colts brought in interim quarterback Kerry Collins, who is now out with concussion like symptoms. He's starting to show some poise and starting to build some chemistry with the receivers but he isn't a star and has yet to win a game. I would hope that with the severity of Peyton's injury and how much work he has had on it he would retire. Dude's set for the Hall of Fame, won a Super Bowl, is in the record book, and has plenty of endorsements and money. Surely would make a case for Andrew Luck in the 2012 Draft.
Next we have the Dolphins. They lost the Chad! Chad Henne had season ending surgery a few weeks back on his shoulder and put the Dolphins in a bad spot. They were forced to turn to Matt Moore, their fifth year backup out of Oregon State. Thank god he sucks or else I would have lost my fantasy matchup this week. After watching him this past Monday night he just didn't look comfortable with the receivers and his Football IQ didn't look off the charts. Desperate need to start a new era for this franchise. Maybe with a new head coach and a new all-american quarterback?
And then the Vikings... I feel bad for them. Actually I feel bad for their quarterback Donovan McNabb. Why does absolutely everyone hate this dude? He consistently took the Philadelphia Eagles to the playoffs and won games there, always played hard, never really had media issues (that I recall). What's to hate? Then he gets banished from the Eagles on bad terms and sent to the Washington Redskins where he had a bad season and was sporadically benched throughout the season by coach Mike Shanahan and then desperately shipped off to the Vikings, where he is still struggling. Their number 2 quarterback is Christian Ponder, a rookie out of Florida State. My thought on this one is that he is tradable. Granted he was a first round draft choice and trading him would essentially be a waste of pick from the 2011 Draft. But the prospect of grabbing Andrew Luck off the board could be well worth it.
3) Don't Call It A Comeback
Ok finally. Up is up and down is down again. The Eagles walked into the team friendly FedEx Field where they have won 10 of their past 12 match ups and won their second game on the season against the Redskins. The Redskins have been playing surprisingly well this season at 3-2 and sitting about average across the board in all stats. However, "Sexy Rexy" Rex Grossman decided to try and lose his starting position (see Donovan McNabb) by tossing a total of 4 interceptions before heading to the bench in the fourth quarter.
Andy Reid put together a safe and conservative game plan just to ensure his job at first priority, but the short routes, three step drops, and limiting Vick's need to run produced a win to stop the team's bleeding. The Eagles are going into a bye week sitting at 2-4 and the NFC East is wide-open for the taking. I am looking for them to keep with this three step drop system and maybe start converting to a west-coast style offense.
That's all I really have for this week. I could talk about the Giants going back to their strong running game (finally) and beating the Bills or Jason Campbell breaking his collarbone and the idea of Terrell Pryor starting (won't happen and I'm looking for Carson Palmer to come back). I could also talk about the trade deadline and what happened during it (what did happen...?) or how the Steelers keep hobbling to victories. But I don't feel like it.
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