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.

NFC East Primer

Part 2 of our look into the 2010 NFL season brings us to the NFC East.

Did Dez forget something?

Dallas Cowboys
2009 record: 11-5, 1st in division
Head coach: Wade Phillips
Key Additions: T Alex Barron
Key Losses: T Flozell Adams, S Ken Hamlin

1. Are the Cowboys a newer "version" of the San Diego Chargers?
They are. All the talent, very little results. Sure, Dallas manage a playoff win last year. A playoff win. Nothing more.

2. Will Dallas feel the pressure of trying to become the first team to play the Super Bowl on its home field?
In all honesty, they shouldn't care one bit. You always hear phrases similar to "keep your eyes on the prize", but you wonder if that prize doesn't create unnecessary pressure.

3. Seriously, is Wade Phillips the right guy in Dallas?
He does whatever Jerry Jones wants...except win a Super Bowl. I don't think he is, but Phillips isn't a terrible coach.I just feel here's more of a defensive coordinator.

There's nothing that should keep these guys from winning the division...except themselves.

If Bulluck is healthy, Giants opponents better
be aware of his whereabouts on the field.

New York Giants
2009 record: 8-8
Head coach: Tom Coughlin
Key Additions: S Antrel Rolle, S Deon Grant, LB Keith Bulluck
Key Losses: S C.C. Brown, CB Kevin Dockery

1. Will the G-men be able to bounce back from a deplorable second half of 2009?
Anyone that knows how Coughlin coaches will answer this as a resounding "yes". He demands excellence and attention to detail. There's no way the Giants stumble in 2010 like they did in 2009. This coaching staff, for the most part, has been together long enough to realize they made critical mistakes last year, too. That will be the difference in 2010.

2. Is the offensive line still as good as it was a couple of seasons ago?
We saw cracks in the armor last year during the dreaded second half. They're still good, but they're also not the best O-line in the league like may thought in 2007 and 2008.

3. Can the defense get back to the level it was during the Super Bowl season?
It can and it will come close this season. The Giants shored up the defensive front in the draft with Jason Pierre-Paul and Linval Joseph. They brought in Keith Bulluck and signed Antrel Rolle. Every level was addressed so there's no reason to believe they can't excel.

8-8 is not where these guys belong.

"You take it!" "No, you take it!"

Philadelphia Eagles
2009 record: 11-5, 2nd in division
Head coach: Andy Reid
Key Additions: RB Mike Bell, WR Kelley Washington, LB Joe Mays, LB Ernie Sims
Key Losses: QB Donovan McNabb, RB Brian Westbrook, LB Will Weatherspoon, S Sean Jones, CB Sheldon Brown, LB Chris Gocong

1. How well will the Eagles adjust to Kevin Kolb?
It better be fast and it better be smooth. Kolb is the polar opposite of McNabb as far as football goes. Kolb is a pocket passer and will not make the plays on the run like #5 did. Eagles fans must recognize that he's still pretty much a rookie even with this being his 4th season.

2. Will the defense find a way to improve in 2010?
Not really seeing it. The front seven got a gift in landing Brandon Graham in the draft. They traded for a high motor LB in Sims, but what else?

3. Could this be Andy Reid's last hurrah?
Quite possible if the Eagles fall off substantially. I'm a fan of Andy Reid's. Despite never winning the Super Bowl, I believe he's an excellent coach. He has guided the Eagles to many NFC Championships games during his tenure. He's just got the one win in those games and people continually knock him for that. If he's not in Philly after this season, he will be elsewhere in 2011.

The guys lost a lot and gained a little.

He looks so lost and lonely.

Washington Redskins
2009 record: 4-12
Head coach: Mike Shanahan
Key Additions: QB Donovan McNabb, T Jamaal Brown, LB Chris Draft, RB Willie Parker, RB Larry Johnson, WR Mike Furrey, WR Joey Galloway
Key Losses: WR Antwaan Randle-El, RB Rock Cartwright, QB Jason Campbell

1. Will this Albert Haynesworth-Mike Shanahan thing ever end?
It will. An MRI revealed no structural damage to Albert's sore knee. It's just a matter of time before this locking of the horns ends and both parties realize they're acting like a couple of school children.

2. Who does McNabb throw to?
Better yet, why does McNabb have to pass as much as he did in Philly? He won't have to because of Mike Shanahan's scheme. There's a veteran stable of backs in Clinton Portis, Parker and Johnson. If McNabb does have to venture downfield, his options are all that eye opening. He has TEs Chris Cooley and Fred Davis. It his options at receiver that aren't great, but not that bad. Santana Moss is still dangerous but the two 3rd-year receivers (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly) must rise to the occasion.

3. Can we really expect the defense to stand?
The first hurdle was cleared when Jim Haslett was brought in as defensive coordinator. Not that the Redskins were a bad defense in 2009 (10th overall). Shanny prefers a 3-4 scheme and Haslett is just the right guy to bring in. The linebackers are the group under the microscope. Brian Orakpo could be the supreme beneficiary to the scheme switch. Throw in vets like Rocky McIntosh and London Fletcher should provide a better performing group.

A 4-12 season will not be duplicated in D.C. In fact, if these guys are below .500, I'd be surprised even with the tussle between Albert and Shanny.

Predicting a winner for this division is the easiest. It's how the other three fall. I'm grasping here, but...

1. Dallas. Has to be them Cowboys.
2. New York. Coughlin won't let '09 happen in '10.
3. Washington. Love the McNabb move.
4. Philadelphia. Hate the McNabb move.

McNabb now a Redskin

McNabb

You rarely, if ever, trade within your division. You're afraid it'll come back and bite you in the butt. That's a realistic fear now for the Philadelphia Eagle as they send Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins for Washington's second round pick (37th overall) in 2010 and a conditional draft pick (3rd or 4th round) in 2011.

So much for Redskins head coach's Mike Shanahan's decree about his QB position being an open competition. So much for Jason Campbell's shot at retaining his starting job.

Side subject here. Know how Campbell found out about the McNabb trade? A reporter filled him in on the events. Could not anyone from the Redskins front office had a shred of decency to alert Campbell of the team's decision? Here's how that went down according to John Keim of the Washington Examiner.

Me (Keim): Did you hear about what happened?
Jason: What?
Me: The Redskins traded for Donovan.
Jason: Really? Ummm... I didn't know that, man.
Me: I'm sorry I had to be the one who told you. I can't believe they didn't tell you.
Jason: No, that's the first I heard of it. ... I'd better go call my agent.
When I called back later, it went to voice mail. His mailbox was full.

So much for being forthright with your players.

Does this provide McNabb a proper or better opportunity to get to another Super Bowl? No. Not at all. Actually, Arizona or San Francisco would have been better places for McNabb to achieve that. Apparently, they either didn't make an offer or they didn't make a good enough offer. Washington had that coveted top 42 pick the Eagles desired. The Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills were "in the running", too. Both of those choices were most likely shot down by Reid. He wanted to show McNabb some respect and you know McNabb had to have a say in the deal. Maybe Donovan sees something in the Redskins that I don't.

This deal also speaks of the high regard the Eagles organization has for both Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick if they are willing to depart with McNabb. Now, Philly has one QB who has all of two NFL stats and another QB who has been on the shelf for a couple of years. Not good odds for the Eagles, but Andy Reid is showing a willingness to finally move forward.

One last thing. I felt McNabb never got a fair shake in Philly. The Eagles themselves did, but the fans didn't. I know fans in Philly can be harsh (they booed Santa for crying out loud), buthey booed when McNabb was drafted and cheered when he was injured. The criticized his every play with a microscope. I know they want a winner, but I guess leading a team to 5 NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl just isn't good enough.

If the Redskins were to get to the Super Bowl this season, how would the fans in Philaelphia react? And will they give McNabb the respect he deseves like Reid did in making this deal?

Redskins QB Competition

Apparently, there's going to be an open quarterback competition for the starting job with the Washington Redskins. That's what Mike Shanahan is saying. Shanahan will not name a starter before training camp. Will the incumbent Jason Campbell's tenure in Washington be closer to ending? Will Shanahan go for a QB in the draft?

The answer to both should be no and for various reasons.

Let's address the question about Campbell's future in D.C. I'm not too concerned for him. If it's competition, shouldn't there be worthy competitors? There's not really a single QB currently on the Redskins roster that could threaten Campbell's job as the starter. Rex Grossman, Colt Brennan and Richard Bartel are not exactly going to strike fear into Campbell. Grossman did "lead" the Bears to a Super Bowl, but he was viewed more as a manager, not a QB. The Bears made the Super Bowl despite Grossman.

Shanahan has publicly commented that he will work with Campbell. The list of prior QBs is decent to say the least. John Elway, Jake Plummer, Jay Cutler. Shanahan helped create a Hall of Fame, two-time Super Bowl winning QB, a Pro-Bowl QB and a reach that, while in Denver, was more than a productive QB.

Keep this in mind. Campbell has never had a steady coach or influence during his time in Washington. He's had no cohesiveness. Shanahan will be all to Campbell. Maybe we will finally get to see the real Jason Campbell the Redskins thought they were getting when he was drafted. If Campbell emerges as the starter, I look for good things from him in 2010.

Redskins dump Zorn

In a move which surprised absolutely nobody, the Washington Redskins fired Jim Zorn as their head coach. Redskins GM Bruce Allen informed Zorn of the decision as the team arrived back home after a 23-20 loss in San Diego. Allen's next decision will be selecting Zorn's replacement. It is widley speculated the Mike Shanahan will replace Zorn.

If you're looking to throw Zorn under the bus, you better think again. The Redskins have even erred in his departure as well as during his stay in the nation's capital.

The original intent on bringing Zorn from Seattle was to be the Redskins offensive coordinator, not as the head man. I'm not sure I agree with that move, but Zorn was viewed as an assistant that was in line to move up the ladder, so to speak. Just not that far, that quick. Redskins owner Dan Snyder wanted a big name, as he always does, and was rebuffed by them all because they knew how the "corporate ladder" worked within the Redskins organization.

Zorn was given the keys. I wonder if he really feels he made the right choice in accepting the job.

Previous to going to Washington, Zorn served as QB coach in Seattle. It's quite possible that the then higher ups in Washington viewed Zorn as the perfect guy to work with Jason Campbell. After all, look at the niche Matthew Hasselbeck has carved for himself with Zorn's aid. Campbell had undergone so many chages as his OC throughout his college and pro careers that bringing in Zorn was viewed as bringin in stability. That's what Campbell needs. It never materialized and while Zorn isn't without fault, he sure wasn't the only culprit. The firing of Vinny Cerrato proved that.

Monday: a night of milestones...and disappointments

Last night we witnessed, in some form, a number of milestones. We also witnessed some major disappointments.

A couple of major milestones were achieved.

1. New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur breaks shutout record.

It was a long standing record that Terry Sawchuck held. Forty years, in fact. Now, the record for most career shutouts belongs to future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur. Brodeur stopped 35 Pittsburgh Pengins shots on his way to recording his 104th shutout. Of Brodeur's 104 career shutouts, it's only the fourth time he'd shutout the Pens.

On breaking Sawchuck's mark, Broduer offered his usual humility.

"This record was held for so long, when you do break records and see how long they lasted, it's cool," Brodeur said. "Tying it was amazing and surpassing him, was a great honor for me to be in that position."

Brodeur already holds the record for games by a goalie and wins.

As I look at the list of the top 5 for most shutouts in NHL history, one name is amazingly absent, Patrick Roy. Hmm.

2. University of Kentucky becomes first Mens basketball program to amass 2,000 wins.

I know it was against Drexel. I know the first recorded win was against Lexington YMCA. But no one can ever dispute the legacy of UK basketball. Just ask my oldest son, a huge UK fan.

Head coach John Calipari, who earlier in the week been somewhat admonished by Bobby Knight, made the following comment to the Rupp Arena faithful:

"We weren't a part of many of those 2,000 wins [but] we had a job to do and that was drag us across the line before that other blue team got there."

That was obviously a stab at North Carolina who had been gaining on the Wildcats due to a few down years. Eddie Sutton and Billy Gillespie were the main culprits in that.

The disappointments came from the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bulls.

Monday Night Wrap-up - Eagles/Redskins

27 V   17

I agree. That was not a game really worth watching, but we watched for one reason: to see if the Redskins offense could manufacture any type of game. In the end, the answer was no, but are we placing too much emphasis on the ‘Skins due to their status as being dysfunctional? We are. Here’s what I take away from the tilt.

1. The game, as a whole, was anything but a clean game. The Redskins will receive more scrutiny for the lack of execution (6 sacks, 4 turnovers, missed redzone chances), but Philly didn’t exactly run over Washington either. At times, the Eagles looked as if they were still in a contest against the Raiders (last week’s opponent). If not for DeSean Jackson (left), there may not have been any offense from the Eagles.

2. Both offenses were dealt serious setbacks in the game. First was Philadelphia losing RB Brian Westbrook due to a concussion. That is not an injury to take lightly and the Eagles didn’t. However, I can’t be the only one that thinks that Westbrook gets injured on a weekly basis. Look at the injury the ‘Skins were dealt. TE Chris Cooley, the team’s best offensive player, broke his ankle.

3. ESPN’s Steve Young said it best when he pointed out that Washington Redskins have “inherent, deeper problems”. Washington’s defense has pretty much help up its end of the bargain and that explains why we tilt are views to the offense. But don’t be fooled. One reason for the problems is due to the money Washington spends on free agents, they cannot “afford” a more talented overall roster. Sure, Albert Haynesworth is about the best defensive lineman in the NFL, but exactly how talented is the #4 WR?

4. Changing the “play caller” was not the difference, although the person calling the plays was recently calling bingo. That’s a story that will never stop. And Washington’s “front office”, if you can call it that, is doing nothing to steer our opinions elsewhere.

A lot of fans of the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys are tickled that the Redskins are going through such a rough patch. That’s one less team their favorite has to worry about.

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