BlindSite
10-12-2008, 10:41 PM
Though I endeavor to include all top performances and as many great plays and players each and every week, time and space means that there will be a few I miss. This is no reflection on the team or me as a fan or writer, in some cases it’s just unlucky they're not included. Enjoy.
Break out Performer
Patrick Cobbs came out of no where to catch three huge passes that went for two touchdowns in the Dolphins loss to the Texans today. There isn't a team in the Nfl that is currently playing with more passion than Miami and its great to see unheralded guys like Cobbs making an impact by buying into the program, which has always been key to Tuna's success.
Bernard Berrian is finally earning his paycheck after a big day in the Vikings hard fought win over Detroit. In a day where his QB was more on his back than throwing passes Berrian had a key run after the catch touchdown which put the Vikings in position to win the game. Berrian is a fast, agile receiver who should continue to develop so long as there's a solid passer throwing him the rock. That being said, he owes a lot to Adrian Petersen for an amazing block thrown on his touchdown.
Coaching Comments
John Gruden has to be mentioned here for finding ways to shut down the Panthers banged up offense and opening up his playbook to beat the panthes defense.
Props to Tony Dungy who put together a great game plan against the Ravens. The Colts clearly came to play against Baltimore and were able to limit the Ravens to three points but also put up 31 points against the NFLs best defense.
The forty niners aren't likey to be in the playoffs for another couple of years, but Mike Nolan finally has the niners playing good football, thanks in large part to Mike Martz. The team's gritty, creative and opportunistic style is keeping them competitive in games they have no business winning.
QB Watch
Don't look now but Matt Schaub might finally be becoming an NFL calibre starting quarterback. Gary Kubiak obviously liked what he saw out of the Virginia alumn when he was with atlanta and the move to trade for schaub is beginning to pay off. Schaub played great football against a tough Miami defense recording nearly 400 yards passing. Though his stats will show two INTs, his rushing and passing touchdowns game at pivotal points in the game and helped getting the Texans their first win. His chemistry with Andre Johnson is undeniable and when he has a hot hand, that combination is indefatigable. Johnson's key grabs in the fourth quarter and running after the catch was a big help for Schaub.
Jake Delhomme has to do a better job under pressure, three INTs and three throw aways on third down on such a bad day are unacceptable.
Peyton Manning finally seems to be coming back to his form of previous years. He had many early issues this year particularly in the first two games, but his play in the last two weeks has been near perfect and subsequently the Colts are quietly gathering momentum.
Tony Romo has to be more protective of the football when getting hit. For some reason Jason Garrett has a habit of calling pass plays within the Cowboys five yard line when for the third time this season Romo has given away points, though this time the call was overtuned. Garrett is supposed to be the heir apparent, but there's been some serious discrepencies and questionable moves in the offensive coaching, Garrett needs to get back to the basics and use his two running backs earlier to allow Romo to play his natural game.
Rookie Watch
Hightower was first noticed during a preseason game where he looked like a man amongst boys and most of his early success before the regular season was chalked up to the usual preseason herodom. After seeing his hands, running ability and blocking Hightower is easily steal of the draft for the first half of the season. Too bad his stats don't always felect his stellar play.
Aquib Talib did a pretty decent job today, first jumping with Mushin Muhummad to knock down a pass and later keeping solid outside coverage and recording an interception against Steve Smith. If he keeps out of trouble he could be the next great tampa two corner.
Matt Ryan looked every bit the real deal today, and as a Rival fan, I'm really getting sick of writing that.
Jordyzzz Nelsonzz is quietly developing an impressive rapport with Aaron Rogers down in Greenbay. Jennings and Driver are always going to steal the headlines and catch most of the passes but Nelson is becoming a reliable third option.
Homer Corner
A score line of 3 to 27 may lead some to question the Panthers defense. This would be a foolish move as to anyone watching the game it was clear the Panthers defense played great football today. Unfortunately they're human and as such have some trouble backing up after just a couple of plays resting because of offensive stupidty.
Tampa played what can only be considered a complete and dominant game today. The schemes Gruden put in place masterfully shut down the Panthers offense and his game plan of switching up running backs and formations helped keep a good defense reeling.
It has to be mentioned though that with three of the most pivotal offensive lineman out or playing handicapped and steve smith and mushin muhummad both dropping sure touchdowns the biggest issue here was the Panthers own stupidity. 14 points went begging and a further 20 were either handed directly or indirectly to the tampa team. Two interceptions thrown by Delhomme never should have been caught and one could get away with saying it was the bounce of the ball was well and truly with tampa.
Some days, a team should've just stayed in bed, this was one of those days.
Other Stuff
Kurt Warner is playing like a man posessed and Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Portis are probably the NFLs front runners for MVP but if Larry Fitzgerald continues his play he'll seriously deserve some consideration.
Its difficult to articulate but this season just might be the hardest in recent memoriy to predict weekto week. This week Arizona did what no one predicted and beat the Cowboys, Tampa blew out Carolina, the Broncos were soundly beaten,the Rams beat the re hot and rolling Redskins. Weeks past saw cellar dwellers Kansas City trounce the Broncos, Atlanta getting up over Green bay in an underdog upset special which seems to be becoming a trend and since, pre-season powerhouse San Diego continuing to falter after a last second loss in the season opener.
Right around this time in the NFL schedule we see teams begin, for lack of a better term to settle. Chemistry becomes firmly established on offensive lines and defenses, passers work out what they have in their receivers and running backs begin to hit their stride. This is also the period where a lot of injuries begin to set in and teams find themselves in insurmountable holes.
This year is the first in recent memory where realistically there's only one or two real clear cut contenders in each conference. The Titans and Giants seem to have set themselves apart as the teams to beat in each conference.
In the NFC Tampa, Carolina, Arizona, Washington, Chicago and to an extent, Atlanta, Greenbay, Washington, Minnesota and Dallas seem to all be in the hunt for supremecy but seem to find areas they falter in alternating weeks.
In the AFC the Broncos deserve some respect, the Colts are beginning to build momentum, the Jags have some big wins and you get the feeling that the Bills and Chargers will be in the mix for the playoffs down the stretch.
Its looking like an interesting season is developing before us and the trends of fewer rushing yards and dominant defenses rather than offense is beginning to emerge contrasting to last years high flying performances. In any case, come what may in the next few months, its going to get a lot more interesting.
Break out Performer
Patrick Cobbs came out of no where to catch three huge passes that went for two touchdowns in the Dolphins loss to the Texans today. There isn't a team in the Nfl that is currently playing with more passion than Miami and its great to see unheralded guys like Cobbs making an impact by buying into the program, which has always been key to Tuna's success.
Bernard Berrian is finally earning his paycheck after a big day in the Vikings hard fought win over Detroit. In a day where his QB was more on his back than throwing passes Berrian had a key run after the catch touchdown which put the Vikings in position to win the game. Berrian is a fast, agile receiver who should continue to develop so long as there's a solid passer throwing him the rock. That being said, he owes a lot to Adrian Petersen for an amazing block thrown on his touchdown.
Coaching Comments
John Gruden has to be mentioned here for finding ways to shut down the Panthers banged up offense and opening up his playbook to beat the panthes defense.
Props to Tony Dungy who put together a great game plan against the Ravens. The Colts clearly came to play against Baltimore and were able to limit the Ravens to three points but also put up 31 points against the NFLs best defense.
The forty niners aren't likey to be in the playoffs for another couple of years, but Mike Nolan finally has the niners playing good football, thanks in large part to Mike Martz. The team's gritty, creative and opportunistic style is keeping them competitive in games they have no business winning.
QB Watch
Don't look now but Matt Schaub might finally be becoming an NFL calibre starting quarterback. Gary Kubiak obviously liked what he saw out of the Virginia alumn when he was with atlanta and the move to trade for schaub is beginning to pay off. Schaub played great football against a tough Miami defense recording nearly 400 yards passing. Though his stats will show two INTs, his rushing and passing touchdowns game at pivotal points in the game and helped getting the Texans their first win. His chemistry with Andre Johnson is undeniable and when he has a hot hand, that combination is indefatigable. Johnson's key grabs in the fourth quarter and running after the catch was a big help for Schaub.
Jake Delhomme has to do a better job under pressure, three INTs and three throw aways on third down on such a bad day are unacceptable.
Peyton Manning finally seems to be coming back to his form of previous years. He had many early issues this year particularly in the first two games, but his play in the last two weeks has been near perfect and subsequently the Colts are quietly gathering momentum.
Tony Romo has to be more protective of the football when getting hit. For some reason Jason Garrett has a habit of calling pass plays within the Cowboys five yard line when for the third time this season Romo has given away points, though this time the call was overtuned. Garrett is supposed to be the heir apparent, but there's been some serious discrepencies and questionable moves in the offensive coaching, Garrett needs to get back to the basics and use his two running backs earlier to allow Romo to play his natural game.
Rookie Watch
Hightower was first noticed during a preseason game where he looked like a man amongst boys and most of his early success before the regular season was chalked up to the usual preseason herodom. After seeing his hands, running ability and blocking Hightower is easily steal of the draft for the first half of the season. Too bad his stats don't always felect his stellar play.
Aquib Talib did a pretty decent job today, first jumping with Mushin Muhummad to knock down a pass and later keeping solid outside coverage and recording an interception against Steve Smith. If he keeps out of trouble he could be the next great tampa two corner.
Matt Ryan looked every bit the real deal today, and as a Rival fan, I'm really getting sick of writing that.
Jordyzzz Nelsonzz is quietly developing an impressive rapport with Aaron Rogers down in Greenbay. Jennings and Driver are always going to steal the headlines and catch most of the passes but Nelson is becoming a reliable third option.
Homer Corner
A score line of 3 to 27 may lead some to question the Panthers defense. This would be a foolish move as to anyone watching the game it was clear the Panthers defense played great football today. Unfortunately they're human and as such have some trouble backing up after just a couple of plays resting because of offensive stupidty.
Tampa played what can only be considered a complete and dominant game today. The schemes Gruden put in place masterfully shut down the Panthers offense and his game plan of switching up running backs and formations helped keep a good defense reeling.
It has to be mentioned though that with three of the most pivotal offensive lineman out or playing handicapped and steve smith and mushin muhummad both dropping sure touchdowns the biggest issue here was the Panthers own stupidity. 14 points went begging and a further 20 were either handed directly or indirectly to the tampa team. Two interceptions thrown by Delhomme never should have been caught and one could get away with saying it was the bounce of the ball was well and truly with tampa.
Some days, a team should've just stayed in bed, this was one of those days.
Other Stuff
Kurt Warner is playing like a man posessed and Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Portis are probably the NFLs front runners for MVP but if Larry Fitzgerald continues his play he'll seriously deserve some consideration.
Its difficult to articulate but this season just might be the hardest in recent memoriy to predict weekto week. This week Arizona did what no one predicted and beat the Cowboys, Tampa blew out Carolina, the Broncos were soundly beaten,the Rams beat the re hot and rolling Redskins. Weeks past saw cellar dwellers Kansas City trounce the Broncos, Atlanta getting up over Green bay in an underdog upset special which seems to be becoming a trend and since, pre-season powerhouse San Diego continuing to falter after a last second loss in the season opener.
Right around this time in the NFL schedule we see teams begin, for lack of a better term to settle. Chemistry becomes firmly established on offensive lines and defenses, passers work out what they have in their receivers and running backs begin to hit their stride. This is also the period where a lot of injuries begin to set in and teams find themselves in insurmountable holes.
This year is the first in recent memory where realistically there's only one or two real clear cut contenders in each conference. The Titans and Giants seem to have set themselves apart as the teams to beat in each conference.
In the NFC Tampa, Carolina, Arizona, Washington, Chicago and to an extent, Atlanta, Greenbay, Washington, Minnesota and Dallas seem to all be in the hunt for supremecy but seem to find areas they falter in alternating weeks.
In the AFC the Broncos deserve some respect, the Colts are beginning to build momentum, the Jags have some big wins and you get the feeling that the Bills and Chargers will be in the mix for the playoffs down the stretch.
Its looking like an interesting season is developing before us and the trends of fewer rushing yards and dominant defenses rather than offense is beginning to emerge contrasting to last years high flying performances. In any case, come what may in the next few months, its going to get a lot more interesting.