NFL Week 3 Wrap-up

Lots of interesting stuff from this past week.

We've seen this before...

1. Michael Vick
I know people are touting Vick's return and saying he's better than he was while he was a Falcon. It's only 10 quarters of play, so let's curb that a bit. There are noticeable and encouraging differences from his days in the ATL. He's is more patient in the pocket. The fact that Vick is the most sacked QB in the NFL gives you a slight indication that he's more willing to stay in the pocket. He has regained most, if not all, of his explosiveness. And he's got the backing of his whole team. Long way he's come in a short time.

2. Cincinnati Bengals offense
Weren't a lot of experts predicting an outburst from the Bengals offense? Hasn't even materialized in the season's first three games. The Bengals have scored five, count 'em, five TDs. Kicker Mike Nugent, who has been perfect in the kicking department, has more field goals with eight. Nugent is the Bengals offense at this point. Carson Palmer has looked ordinary. Cedric Benson has yet to crack 100 yards in a game. Ochocinco and T.O. have 1 TD between them.

AFC West Primer

Almost there. We head out west for the AFC West today. Tomorrow will be the final division to cover, the NFC West.

Tebow will get playing time in 2010.

Denver Broncos
2009 record: 8-8, 2nd in division
Head coach: Josh McDaniel
Key Additions: DE Akin Ayodele, DE Justin Bannan, DE Jarvis Green, NT Jamal Williams
Key Losses: C Casey Wiegmann, TE Tony Sheffler, LB Andra Davis

1. Tebow?
First of all, if any NFL fan is wondering who's going to get the spotlight from the media if Brett Favre doesn't come back, all you have to do is point to the first round pick from Florida. He had a good game against the Cincinnati Bengals in last night's exhibition. If he's #3 on the depth chart, it's a close #3 and you know there will be packages at Josh McDaniel's disposal to unleash the former Gator.

2. Can the Broncos keep a running back healthy?
Didn't they have this issue last season? It almost makes you wonder why a running back would want to go there. Practice was cancelled over a week ago due to the number of Broncos that were banged up. In McDaniels' offense, the running back is as crucial as a tackle so they must be healthy.

3. Will we see the second-half swoon we've recently witnessed?
Shhhh. They may not want to revisit those, but it does need to be addressed. In '08, one win down the stretch and they were in. The Broncos jumped out to a 6-0 record and the bye week hit...and so did the downfall. Keeping all of that in mind, I don't think that's a part of the new Broncos mindset.

The Broncos still have a ways to go, but they're moving in the right direction. The first six games from last season were a bit of an anomaly.

Signing Jones was an excellent choice by
the Chiefs brass.

Kansas City Chiefs
2209 record: 4-12, 4th in division
Head coach: Todd Haley
Key Additions: RB Thomas Jones, G Ryan Lilja, WR Jerheme Urban, C Casey Wiegmann
Key Losses: WR Bobby Engram, RB Kolby Smith, WR Bobby Wade

1. Are we witnessing the continual building of "New England West"?
In it's full glory. The only things really missing are Brady and Belichick. Well, you have Brady's understudy in QB Matt Cassel. Toss in new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crenell and the bridge is slowly coming together. I;m not sure I;m a fan of this move, but it does provide for a compelling story.

2. Who will Cassel throw to?
The receiver depth isn't bad. In fact, it's pretty good. The question will be at tight end. Brad Cottam is on the PUP list so the focus could shift to draft pick Tony Moeaki from Iowa. Even then, the experience on the roster at the position is thin with Leonard Pope having the most experience with 5 years.

3. Where must the biggest change need to be made?
The defensive unit. They ranked 30th overall last year. And there's this. No defensive unit spent more time on the field last season than the Chiefs. Of course, the offense could help by sustaining more drives, but I think you get my point here. You also have to have a few stops during a game from the defense.

For the Chiefs to move forward, the running game will be the main thrust this season. Getting RB Thomas Jones was huge in my book.

Campbell isn't Plunkett, but he provides
a professional influence at QB.

Oakland Raiders
2009 record: 5-11, 3rd in division
Head coach: Tom Cable
Key Additions: QB Jason Campbell, DE John Henderson
Key Losses: LB Kirk Morrison

1. Will QB Jason Campbell really be the next Jim Plunkett as Al Davis said?
No, but Campbell provides a major upgrade at the position. I can't emphasize major enough as we all saw former #1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell fall completely off the Raider landscape. Campbell will need a bit of time as once again he's faced with learning another system. I like the move. I take that back. I love the move.

2. Will Darren McFadden finally show that he's the real deal?
He has to. I think his stint in Oaktown may be getting a little short, too. Not all his fault (injuries, poor o-line play), but we've not seen from McFadden in the pros as we did when he was in college. McFadden's success will only enhance the success of the Raider offense. If McFadden can blow holes in the defense, that will open up the passing game for Campbell. Thing is, McFadden does have a little bit of competition from Michael Bush.

3. Who will Campbell have as receivers?
This might be the best question facing Oakland this season. The good news is the Raiders have a nice group of tight ends. Zach Miller showed those outside of the west coast that he really is a receiving threat. Tony Stewart is the veteran presence and they signed John Owens in free agency. The same cannot be said for the receivers. Johnnie Lee Higgins has the most experience with 4 years. It seemed like Raiders QBs counted on Louis Murphy more last season than his stats show. Last year's first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey proved to be the butt of more jokes than he had receptions. And the Raiders brought in another speedy receiver in drafting Jacoby Ford. No one will catch these guys...if they can ever catch the ball.

The Raiders will play defense. The offense needs to be the focal point.

Mathews should eclipse the 1,000 mark
in 2010...with ease.

San Diego Chargers
2009 record: 13-3, 1st in division
Key Additions: WR Josh Reed, T Tra Thomas, CB Nathan Vasher
Key Losses: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, QB Charlie Whitehurst, NT Jamal Williams, CB Antonio Cromartie

1. Has the window closed on the Chargers?
If it hasn't closed already, it's barely cracked. Barely. Most feel the Bolts will repeat as divisional champs, but to see them make another deep playoff run may be asking too much especially if T Marcus McNeill and WR Vincent Jackson continue to stay away.

2. Will first round pick Ryan Mathews revitalize the running game?
There's a two-part answer here. The second part depends on the first which is getting McNeill back in the fold. Without McNeill, Mathews can still have success, but it won't be as great. There was a reason the Chargers traded up to get this kid. He can flat out run. 1,000 yards should be a given.

3. Can the defense rebound from what looked like a down season?
The issue wasn't as much in the pass defense as it was in stopping the run. The loss of Jamal Williams may hinder that even more. The Chargers may be banking on rookie Cam Thomas to fill the void. That may be risky. Having Shawne Merriman in camp could help if he's committed not only to the organization, but committed to being involved in the run defense. The pass defense may fall off, too, but I think the trading of Cromartie wasn't that bad a deal. He clearly wasn't the Cromartie of a couple of seasons ago.

I enjoy watching these guys play. I hope we're not seeing the beginning of the end.

1. San Diego. It could be a much tighter division than in '09 for the Bolts.
2. Denver. The offense must stay on the field more.
3. Oakland. I wouldn't be shocked with a 2nd place finish this season.
4. Kansas City. The offense looks better. Not so sure about the D.

Thanksgiving Day NFL Recap

Happy Friday. I hope eveyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I also hope you could find a way to enjoy the NFL games yesterday. I know, not much excitement. But there was if you were Lions QB Duante Culpepper. Read on if you're not sure what I mean.

 Packers (7-4) 34, Lions (2-9) 12

During pregame, Culpepper was informed that he would not be starting, and that Matthew Stafford would. Culpepper did not appear to be too pleased with the team's decision. He did practice with the first team for the short week. Remember, Stafford suffered a separated shoulder during Sunday's 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Maybe, Culpepper would have been the better selection based on the game Stafford had. 20 of 43, 213 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT. One of Stafford's INT was a pick 6 by Packers CB Charles Woodson. Overall the Lions had five turnovers.

One last quick (maybe not so quick) note from the game. There's 2:51 left in the game and the score is 34-12, Green Bay. Detroit has the ball on their own 28. It's 2nd and 10 and Stafford completes a pass to backup TE Casey Fitzsimmons. Upon being tackled, it appears that Fitzsimmons fumbles the ball but the officials ruled that Fitzsimmons was down by contact.

I know...not so quick. Sorry. I have to say this next part though. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy (left) challenged the play. It was reversed and Geen Bay got the ball. I am massively irritated with McCarthy's decision to challenge that play. You're already winning 34-12 and there's less than three minutes left. What a heartless call by McCarthy. Happy Thanksgiving, Coach. You are no doubt, my Turkey of the Day. Congrats!

Some may say I'm off base. I say to you that you're as heartless as McCarthy. You already have the "W". What more do you need?

Game ball: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: 28-39, 348 yards, 3 TD