TWO PLAYS BEAT COWBOYS, SEASON OPENERS BRING EXTENSIVE INJURY LIST, GAME NOTES, JETS ACT LIKE PIGS & D. WASHINGTON SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL
Sunday was a very trying day in the TV bunker here at RFR. Just as I got all five screens ablaze with beautiful high definition images from around the NFL, I started losing pictures on three of them. Of course, one of them was the source for my big screen, now we're trying to keep up with 5 games on two 20" screens. Since I was operating on 3 hours of sitting-up sleep, I was somewhat testy anyway, my DirecTV blowout made me........well I was unhappy, let's leave it at that. So after trying to reset this trio of non-functioning receivers, I called DirecTV. My mood was made worse when on the other end of the line, I was connected to Desire', the perkiest, happiest, young woman in the Western Hemisphere. She learned early on I was going to be the biggest challenge she would face on that phone all day. Needless to say, nothing was fixed over the phone & a tech will head down from Jeff City Monday AM. I switched receivers so we could watch the big screen the rest of the afternoon & evening. As soon as I finish tonight's post, I'll head back in there for another night of sitting-up sleep. I'll have to see my doctors ASAP, the antibiotics knocked out about 40% of this thing, but I'm just not getting any better.
You think the Dallas Cowboys & their fans don't have a terrible taste in their collective mouths after their 13-7 loss in Washington tonight? Man, that was brutal wasn't it? Cowboy RB Tashard Choice fumbles on the last play of the 1st half & cornerback DeAngelo Hall runs it in for the Skins only touchdown. On the last play of the game, Tony Romo scrambles out of trouble & throws the game-winning score to Roy Williams. Hold on, not so fast..........holding, Dallas, game over. You know officials don't want to decide a game in that fashion, but when an offensive tackle puts the "sleeper hold" on a defensive end right in front of 10-15 million people viewing the telecast & the game referee, Tony Corente, the play draws a penalty flag, one that will reverse the outcome. Just like in the preseason, the Cowboy's offense struggled to find a rhythm. They moved the ball, but couldn't score. Twelve penalties & a fumble cost them dearly.
Opening day around the league brought about a frightening list of injuries. This is a sample:
Concussions for Eagles' QB Kevin Kolb, Carolina QB Matt Moore & Eagle MLB Stewart Bradley
Torn ACL for Eagles' FB Leonard Weaver - out for the year
Dislocated ankle for Houston DE Connor Barwin - out for the year
Unknown shoulder injury to Lions QB Matthew Stafford could be anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks
High ankle sprain for Steelers left tackle Max Starks - 3-4 weeks
Torn biceps muscle for Eagles' center Jamaal Jackson - could be out for the season
Ankle sprain for Packer running back Ryan Grant wore a boot on sideline, could be 1-2 weeks
Broken hand for Packer defensive end Cullens Jenkins - will try to play with cast
"Severe knee injury" to Packer DE Justin Harrell - out for season.....for third year in a row
"Possible torn biceps & concussion" for Colts' safety Bob Sanders - could miss entire season after playing in only 2 games last year. This would be devastating to the Colts.
As you can see, the Green Bay-Philadelphia game was a brutal contest. Too many guys carried or limping off the field. Packer QB Aaron Rodgers ran hot & cold throwing two touchdowns & two interceptions. What decided this game in the Pack's favor was their defense, led by LB Clay Mathews & CB Charles Woodson. This is a Super Bowl caliber defense.
New York's Hakeem Nicks caught four passes, three of them for touchdowns, leading the Giants to a 31-18 thumping of the Carolina Panthers. The game wasn't as close as the score might indicate. Both QB's threw 3 interceptions & when you add in 3 fumbles, you can tell it wasn't a well-played game.
The Tennessee Titans played a very efficient game defeating the Raiders 38-13. RB Chris Johnson ran for 142 yards & 2 touchdowns while Titan QB Vince Young went 13 of 17 for 154 yards & 2 scores. The preseason enthusiasm Raider fans were feeling went south in a hurry, even with Jason Campbell, they looked like the Raiders we've been watching recently, 10 penalties, three turnovers, you get the picture.
The Steelers survived week one of the Ben Roethlisberger 4-game suspension winning in overtime, 15-9. Falcon TE Tony Gonzalez, braketed by double coverage most of the day, got lifetime receptions #1,000 & 1,001 but he had a very tough day. The Steeler defense knows they have to carry the team until Bed returns. They did it today against a good offensive team. RB Rashard Mendenhall busted a 50-yard touchdown run on Pittsburgh's first play in overtime for the win. This was a tough game for everybody on both sidelines, Falcon's coach Mike Smith pulled a hamstring hustling down the sideline to call a timeout.
After losing 15 of 16 to division rival Indianapolis, the Houston Texans exercised their demons by whipping the Colts 34-24. The Texans threw but 17 passes while Peyton Manning threw 57. Texan running back Arian Foster rushed for 231 yards & 3 touchdowns. This total was the most ever against any Colt team.
The most surprising result of the day was Seattle's beatdown over the Forty-Niners 31-6, it was really ugly. Frisco QB Alex Smith was saddled with 2 interceptions but both were because WR Michael Crabtree didn't run out his pattern on one & made a poor effort to catch the ball on the other. He's been getting that "Diva" tag from teammates again & after watching his performance today, I can see from where it's coming.
The final seconds in the Detroit-Chicago game pointed to a lack of common sense in some of the league's rules. I'll set the scene; Lions down 19-14, Lions have the ball at the Chicago 28-yardline with 32-seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. Detroit backup QB takes the snap & lofts a pass into the endzone toward WR Calvin Johnson who leaps up, catches the ball cleanly with both hands, goes to the turf. Both legs, his butt & his left hand hit the ground, he has clear possession about three feet off the ground in his right hand. He brings the ball to the ground & uses it to push him up off the turf & runs toward the Lions sideline to celebrate what appears to be the winning score. Hold it.....not so fast! Incomplete rules the side judge, incomplete rules the referee after going under the hood to watch numerous replays of the play. League officials said the game refs interpreted the rule precisely as it was written. Swell, then the rule is written incorrectly. I've watched ballcariers dive for the pylon, losing the ball an instant after touching the foam block & the play is always ruled a touchdown. I've repeatedly seen ball carriers being stripped of the ball a split second after 1/8" of it crosses the plane of the goaline. But Calvin Johnson had this catch firmly in hand for maybe 2 full seconds, how far does he need to go? If you haven't seen the play in question, watch one of the halftimes Monday night & I'll bet you'll see it a couple of times, it's stirred up quite a controversy. It's wrong, it violates the "spirit of the game" rule, you know like the "pine tar rule" did way back in the 80's. Remember that one?
Before four games on Sunday, the players decided to exhibit their "solidarity moment" for all to see. I didn't see it in Jacksonville, Tampa Bay & Buffalo, I had zero interest in see these contests. But in the Indy-Houston game, much of the packed house booed loudly. Like I said the other day, this is not a good idea for either side while they negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
Years ago the New England Patriots were sued by a female reporter who accused some of their players of sexual harassment. She won a hefty settlement. Now the Commissioner & league security personnel are investigating the charges of another female reporter, Ines Sainz, of the TV Azteca Network. She & several other members of the media, claim several New York Jets baited her into their locker room with promises of on-camera interviews with QB Mark Sanchez & other prominent players. Well I guess you can see where this is going, apparently a few of these 8th graders acted in a sexual manner toward Ms. Sainz. There are said to be multiple witnesses to this episode, that's why the league office has entered the investigation. I'm not the "sexually harassing type" but I'm certain some of you might feel compelled to offer Ms Sainz just about anything.
Ines Sainz G. Newman Lowrence/Getty Images
Houston quarterback suffered a concussion in Friday night's win over UTEP. He's listed as day-to-day.
Finally, former Mizzou running back & team co-captain Derrick Washington was arrested again early Sunday morning on charges of 3rd degree domestic assault. When it goes bad, it can really spin out of control in a hurry. Forget about a future in football, save the rest of your life before you flush the entire thing down the drain.
I'll post a preview of tonight's double header later this afternoon, so please check back.
You think the Dallas Cowboys & their fans don't have a terrible taste in their collective mouths after their 13-7 loss in Washington tonight? Man, that was brutal wasn't it? Cowboy RB Tashard Choice fumbles on the last play of the 1st half & cornerback DeAngelo Hall runs it in for the Skins only touchdown. On the last play of the game, Tony Romo scrambles out of trouble & throws the game-winning score to Roy Williams. Hold on, not so fast..........holding, Dallas, game over. You know officials don't want to decide a game in that fashion, but when an offensive tackle puts the "sleeper hold" on a defensive end right in front of 10-15 million people viewing the telecast & the game referee, Tony Corente, the play draws a penalty flag, one that will reverse the outcome. Just like in the preseason, the Cowboy's offense struggled to find a rhythm. They moved the ball, but couldn't score. Twelve penalties & a fumble cost them dearly.
Opening day around the league brought about a frightening list of injuries. This is a sample:
Concussions for Eagles' QB Kevin Kolb, Carolina QB Matt Moore & Eagle MLB Stewart Bradley
Torn ACL for Eagles' FB Leonard Weaver - out for the year
Dislocated ankle for Houston DE Connor Barwin - out for the year
Unknown shoulder injury to Lions QB Matthew Stafford could be anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks
High ankle sprain for Steelers left tackle Max Starks - 3-4 weeks
Torn biceps muscle for Eagles' center Jamaal Jackson - could be out for the season
Ankle sprain for Packer running back Ryan Grant wore a boot on sideline, could be 1-2 weeks
Broken hand for Packer defensive end Cullens Jenkins - will try to play with cast
"Severe knee injury" to Packer DE Justin Harrell - out for season.....for third year in a row
"Possible torn biceps & concussion" for Colts' safety Bob Sanders - could miss entire season after playing in only 2 games last year. This would be devastating to the Colts.
As you can see, the Green Bay-Philadelphia game was a brutal contest. Too many guys carried or limping off the field. Packer QB Aaron Rodgers ran hot & cold throwing two touchdowns & two interceptions. What decided this game in the Pack's favor was their defense, led by LB Clay Mathews & CB Charles Woodson. This is a Super Bowl caliber defense.
New York's Hakeem Nicks caught four passes, three of them for touchdowns, leading the Giants to a 31-18 thumping of the Carolina Panthers. The game wasn't as close as the score might indicate. Both QB's threw 3 interceptions & when you add in 3 fumbles, you can tell it wasn't a well-played game.
The Tennessee Titans played a very efficient game defeating the Raiders 38-13. RB Chris Johnson ran for 142 yards & 2 touchdowns while Titan QB Vince Young went 13 of 17 for 154 yards & 2 scores. The preseason enthusiasm Raider fans were feeling went south in a hurry, even with Jason Campbell, they looked like the Raiders we've been watching recently, 10 penalties, three turnovers, you get the picture.
The Steelers survived week one of the Ben Roethlisberger 4-game suspension winning in overtime, 15-9. Falcon TE Tony Gonzalez, braketed by double coverage most of the day, got lifetime receptions #1,000 & 1,001 but he had a very tough day. The Steeler defense knows they have to carry the team until Bed returns. They did it today against a good offensive team. RB Rashard Mendenhall busted a 50-yard touchdown run on Pittsburgh's first play in overtime for the win. This was a tough game for everybody on both sidelines, Falcon's coach Mike Smith pulled a hamstring hustling down the sideline to call a timeout.
After losing 15 of 16 to division rival Indianapolis, the Houston Texans exercised their demons by whipping the Colts 34-24. The Texans threw but 17 passes while Peyton Manning threw 57. Texan running back Arian Foster rushed for 231 yards & 3 touchdowns. This total was the most ever against any Colt team.
The most surprising result of the day was Seattle's beatdown over the Forty-Niners 31-6, it was really ugly. Frisco QB Alex Smith was saddled with 2 interceptions but both were because WR Michael Crabtree didn't run out his pattern on one & made a poor effort to catch the ball on the other. He's been getting that "Diva" tag from teammates again & after watching his performance today, I can see from where it's coming.
The final seconds in the Detroit-Chicago game pointed to a lack of common sense in some of the league's rules. I'll set the scene; Lions down 19-14, Lions have the ball at the Chicago 28-yardline with 32-seconds remaining in the 4th quarter. Detroit backup QB takes the snap & lofts a pass into the endzone toward WR Calvin Johnson who leaps up, catches the ball cleanly with both hands, goes to the turf. Both legs, his butt & his left hand hit the ground, he has clear possession about three feet off the ground in his right hand. He brings the ball to the ground & uses it to push him up off the turf & runs toward the Lions sideline to celebrate what appears to be the winning score. Hold it.....not so fast! Incomplete rules the side judge, incomplete rules the referee after going under the hood to watch numerous replays of the play. League officials said the game refs interpreted the rule precisely as it was written. Swell, then the rule is written incorrectly. I've watched ballcariers dive for the pylon, losing the ball an instant after touching the foam block & the play is always ruled a touchdown. I've repeatedly seen ball carriers being stripped of the ball a split second after 1/8" of it crosses the plane of the goaline. But Calvin Johnson had this catch firmly in hand for maybe 2 full seconds, how far does he need to go? If you haven't seen the play in question, watch one of the halftimes Monday night & I'll bet you'll see it a couple of times, it's stirred up quite a controversy. It's wrong, it violates the "spirit of the game" rule, you know like the "pine tar rule" did way back in the 80's. Remember that one?
Before four games on Sunday, the players decided to exhibit their "solidarity moment" for all to see. I didn't see it in Jacksonville, Tampa Bay & Buffalo, I had zero interest in see these contests. But in the Indy-Houston game, much of the packed house booed loudly. Like I said the other day, this is not a good idea for either side while they negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
Years ago the New England Patriots were sued by a female reporter who accused some of their players of sexual harassment. She won a hefty settlement. Now the Commissioner & league security personnel are investigating the charges of another female reporter, Ines Sainz, of the TV Azteca Network. She & several other members of the media, claim several New York Jets baited her into their locker room with promises of on-camera interviews with QB Mark Sanchez & other prominent players. Well I guess you can see where this is going, apparently a few of these 8th graders acted in a sexual manner toward Ms. Sainz. There are said to be multiple witnesses to this episode, that's why the league office has entered the investigation. I'm not the "sexually harassing type" but I'm certain some of you might feel compelled to offer Ms Sainz just about anything.
Ines Sainz G. Newman Lowrence/Getty Images
Houston quarterback suffered a concussion in Friday night's win over UTEP. He's listed as day-to-day.
Finally, former Mizzou running back & team co-captain Derrick Washington was arrested again early Sunday morning on charges of 3rd degree domestic assault. When it goes bad, it can really spin out of control in a hurry. Forget about a future in football, save the rest of your life before you flush the entire thing down the drain.
I'll post a preview of tonight's double header later this afternoon, so please check back.
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