Happy football is back. Not because a looming lockout had dragged the uncertainty to unimaginable sensation of void and emptiness in the event it would have been inevitable. It was rather a sad realization that whether guilty of charge or just in denial, football has grew to be part of most of my , your, our Sunday routine. From the church’s pews to the living room or basement couches, everything is planned and monitored to the slightest detail. It’s even better when the wifey, or wife to be, or life partner finally « gets » it. It’s football time, so let get to it ladies and gentlemen!
On opening night the defending champions Green Bay Packers did not waste any time reminding everyone around the league that the Lombardi trophy is their property, thumping the New Orleans Saints 42-34. The contest wasn’t even not close. Using their trademark high power offense coupled with a suffocating defense, coach Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers (bare no injuries) will be hard to unseat in the NFC. Thank you we’re not crowning champs on week one though.
A few observations on this opening day, colorful and with a heavy dose of patriotism (coinciding with the commemoration of the Sept 11 attack). For once the League office was inspired to bend the rules allowing players to pay tribute to the victims and fallen heroes wearing extra signs on their shoes, socks, jerseys, helmets. Spot on.
Entering his 14th season in the league Peyton Manning missed a start for the first time in his career. From the sidelines with a neck injury that will keep him away he watched the once punching ball Texans give to his Colts a taste of their own medicine (7-34) with poor Kerry Collins at the helm as the Colts QB. It’s going to be a long, very long season in Indianapolis.
The Baltimore Ravens did not let up on the sloppy Pittsburgh Steelers trouncing their favorite nemesis (35-7). Then again we’re not giving crowns in Week one as said earlier are we? But this was worth mentioning given the fierce rivalry between these two football teams.
The Cam Newton era has started in Carolina with high hopes in a losing effort against the Cardinals 21-28. For a rookie QB coming into the league with so much scrutiny after a successful college career, his stats line on the road were simply out of this planet. Judge for yourself : 24/37 Att/Cmp, 422 yds , 2 TDs 1 INT. This one will go to the record book as HIS and his only. No rookie in the history of the NFL has ever thrown for 400 plus yards on his debut. No Joe Montana, no Dan Marino, no Brett Favre, no Peyton Manning, no Tom Brady to name just a few. Welcome to the big league Kiddo!
Last but not least let’s spend a little time on the self destructing Dallas Cowboys shall we? What else can be said or written that was missed? Is Tony Romo up to the task? Or is it Jason Garett? Is it the play calling? Or is it miscues on Defense or Special Team. All those areas were at fault during the heartbreaking 27-24 loss against the Jets on Sunday night. I will go on a limb here and put it on the coach and the coach only for this meltdown. 10 minutes to go, third and goal to the Jets 2 yards line, you run the football even if they clogged the line of scrimmage with 11 bullies. It’s that simple. Why take the risk to scramble or pass?As for not changing the play at the line (such as the running play into the teeth of the defense on third down when the right side was wide open)… that’s on Garrett also. Romo isn’t getting the plays in a timely manner, and has to snap the ball with only a couple of seconds left on the play clock. That eliminates changing plays, and also allows the defense to pin their ears back because they know exactly when the snap is coming. Garrett needs to get a clue, and fast.
Football is back and it already feels good!
SINDO
