oneSorry it has taken me so long, but here are my week 1 observations, which, unfortunately, are limited to the games I was actually able to watch (I am now accepting donations so that I can get DirecTV).
Seattle at Detroit:
-When was the last time you saw a kicker having two kicks blocked in the first quarter? I know I can't remember it happening before. Josh Brown came back to redeem himself and actually carry Seattle to a 9-6 victory. By the way, Brown almost cost my first fantasy matchup because of those blocks.
-In another surprise occurence, Kevin Jones lost a fumble for the first time since 2004, and Shaun Alexander fubled twice--all three of these happened in the first 18 minutes of the game.
-I knew the Seahawks were going to have to run the the right side more after LG Steve Hutchinson left for Minnesota, but it seemed like they were running to the right the same amount as they ran to the left last year. I will be curious to see if this trend continues in the comming weeks.
Denver at St. Louis:
-Jim Haslett seems to have landed in that group with Norv Turner, Mike Martz, and Dick LeBeau: amazing coordinators who just can't make the transition to head coach. After leaving New Orleans this offseason, he was hired by first-time head coach Scott Linehan as the defensive coordinator, the position in which he rose to prominence, for St. Louis. Anyone who watched the game last Sunday can see just how good he is as a coordinator. The Rams defense looked fantastic. They were putting pressure on the quarterback and causing turnovers. They looked fast and the played strong against the run. The days of the best show on turf appear to be long gone.
-Tatum Bell may be the starter, but there were two plays that showed me with whom Mike Shanahan's trust lies. When Denver went for it on 4th and inches on their own 30, it was the rookie, Mike Bell, who got the call. Likewise, when the Broncos were at the goal line, it was Mike Bell who got the carry for the touchdown. Tatum is the starter, but it looks like Mike will be getting the important touches.
-Javon Walker looked terribly rusty. What is particularly concerning, both for Denver and my fantasy team, is that he didn't appear to be making mental mistakes; he was simply dropping the ball. His hands are the last thing that should be holding him back after blowing out his knee last year.
San Francisco at Arizona:
-How about Vernon Davis? His first career catch went for a touchdown where he got to show off his speed and strength by sprinting down the sideline and breaking two tackles. What surprised me was that, after a shaky pre-season, he got the start over Eric Johnson.
-The Niners appear to have been on the money with their decision to trade Kevan Barlow and start Frank Gore. Watch the touchdown where he holds himself up with his arm and runs another five yard through defenders to put the ball in the endzone. Barlow tried to dance around like he was Barry Sanders even though he's 6'1", 230 lbs. Gore plays like he's Jerome Bettis, even though he's only 5'9", 215 lbs.
-Mike Adams looks like he belongs in the starting lineup. He was flying around the field all day long, dishing out big hits and making the Arizona receivers scared to go over the middle.
-I counted seven instances in the first half when the announcers talked about how wonderful the new stadium in Arizona is. I would have understood in years past, when a Cardinals game was about as entertaining as a I-AA college football team, but they have a very entertaining team this year. Not only does the team have some real talent, the game had 61 points scored. If you can't find enough to say about a game like that, you shouldn't be calling games.
Week 1 predictions: 11-5
Missed: Atlanta at Carolina (20-6)
Denver at St. Louis (10-18)
NY Jets at Tennessee (23-16)
Dallas at Jacksonville (17-24)
Minnesota at Washington (19-16)
Comments, critiques and suggested topics are welcome by replying here or by emailing me at KONsports@yahoo.com.
