« Let it come | Main | Another way of thinking about "racism without racists" » NFL open thread06 Oct 2008 11:19 am
So what did you guys think? The Skins look like the real deal. My boys squeaked through, but they still look kind of lackluster. I'm going to be a fan until I die--but this is the worst team to have to root for. Romo really is baby-Favre. Sometimes he does things that are just incredible. Other times he does things that are just stupid. The thing I loved so much about the Cowboys of the 90s was their defense. Their D never got enough credit. But they knew how to shut people down. These days, I don't what I'm getting. Meanwhile, you can't count the Colts or the Pats out just yet.
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With all due respect (and coming from someone who is a fan of both), I think the Texans have the Cowboys beat as far as worst team to have to root for.
Broncos, going all the way this year baby!
I think the Ravens got jobbed yesterday on a no-call. A play was whistled dead on a false start and Terrell Suggs made contact with Kerry Collins, earning a 15 yard penalty and a first down that kept the Titans winning drive alive. Earlier in the game, Hanesworth (??) threw Flacco down to the ground after a play was whistled dead and didn't get flagged.
That's life in the NFL, though.
The Ravens defense is the real deal. If they can get Flacco and the offense going, they can make this transitional year into something that's fun to watch.
The Ravens have lost two games to division leading times by a combined total of 6 points. Not bad, all things considered.
My boys in black and gold are going to put a beatdown on Minnesota tonight. Geaux Saints!
Broncos need a defense to go anywhere. Pats look solid, but I'd be shocked though delighted to see them go more than a round into the playoffs. Redskins are my NFC faves, much as I hate rooting for that name. But the Giants are clearly the team to beat.
Imagine how you would feel if someone said, "Man, the Yankees really are the worst team to have to root for." You'd want to punch that guy in the face.
Crap, the Bills got beat like a red-headed stepchild and Trent Edwards won't remember the game at all. Which is probably good.
Still and all, 4-1 is the best things have been around here in several years.
I'm pretty sure we can count the Colts out. They just aren't that good right now, and could very easily be 0-4. I know the coulda's don't mean much, but they don't seem to have it right now.
I have a feeling that Jason Garrett will be our head coach by playoff time. Jones isn't going to let this season slip away without throwing everything into it.
"With all due respect (and coming from someone who is a fan of both), I think the Texans have the Cowboys beat as far as worst team to have to root for"
Amen Sister
Heard you on Minnesota Public Radio this morning with Kerri Miller...you were great!
Isn't she a great interviewer?
I agree. It is in my dna to just plain hate the skins. But, 'da boyz' will test my mettle this year. Yeah, I'll take a 'V' even a stinky one...
Hang in there.
Gmen, 4-0 in the best division in football after putting up a forty burger against the seahawks. Gmen are currently the best team in football. Can you say repeat?
For this Redskins fan, this has, so far, been a season of unexpected joy.
I'll say it right up front: I expected Zorn to be just another figure in The Danny's revolving door - that by late this season, the question would be whether Zorn deserved a second season, and that he'd be gone by the end of 2009 for sure.
Instead, this is like watching the 1971 Redskins get a little better, start to believe in themselves a little more, each Sunday. Watching this team keep its composure yesterday after being down 14 almost immediately was impressive. Campbell had a less-than-stellar day but he was good enough, Portis was amazing, and other than that one Eagles drive at the beginning, the defense simply kicked butt. And still no turnovers by the offense.
cd: The Giants are the best until someone proves otherwise.
November 30 is going to be very interesting.
Skins do indeed look for real at this point.
Romo's a good QB who will never be great. He gets a lot of press because he's a pretty boy QB for the league's flagship franchise, but that don't feed the bulldog.
Jim Zorn is bringing a lot of energy to skins this season!
The worst team to root for er... is Bears. Well they "shut out" Lions is all we can take pride in. We cringe everytime other teams even talk of QBs, we typically try to pretend that position doesn't exist / matter :)
As for Romo, I think he is flashy and rather Favre-like in that he's aware of his potential and his charm. But I think he's a good QB, has the skills. For now I feel its the D thats letting them down. But then defense peaking close to playoffs is good, like the Colts in 06.
I hate Jeff Fisher, and I hate his Titans.
Dude, I think that Cassel fellow might be getting the hang of this "NFL starter" thing. TB himself might not have done any better yesterday.
How long do we think Miami is going to be able to ride this funky throwback formation of theirs?
@Joel,
Hate the Titans and Fisher all you like, but recognize that they're the cream of the AFC crop.
Having said that, I'm glad to see Big Ben demonstrating that he's getting paid big bucks to do more than just 'manage' the game.
"but this is the worst team to have to root for."
I remember reading this line in a pretty decent blog somewhere. Go cry me a fucking river and then go jump in it. I'm probably paraphrasing a bit.
My Steelers are off to a good start at 3-1, and they're gonna need it, cause they got a monster schedule.
I admire the hell out of Ben Roethlisberger, particularly the play late in the game when he was being corralled by defenders but still threw a strike, and without setting his feet.. Generally I envy teams I don't root for when they have a good young quarterback, or openly revile the quarterback - Philip Rivers just makes it so damn easy - but I really do admire the way Roethlisberger plays. I think he's in the Steve McNair school. Although, announcers need to quit this first-name basis shit. I don't care how long his last name is, it just sounds unseemly to call him Ben. NFL network replayed that Chiefs-Broncos game from '94 when Montana led a last minute comeback, and Frank Gifford keeps calling him "Joe" and it never sounds right. If it doesn't work for the greatest quarterback of all time, it shouldn't for a younger, less proven player.
But I love watching those old games to be reminded of those forgotten players who were actually longtime starters back then, like Tim Grunhard. Dermontti Dawson was the best center in the league for a few years not long ago, but now I wonder how many NFL fans would know his name.
No team that loses to the Chiefs this year is going anywhere. They might make the play-offs and might even get a bye because of how crappy the rest of the division is. But they still suck, and they will exposed before long.
I live in San Antonio, and our fox affiliate gives us two NFC east games whenever they get the chance, which is usually irritating as a displaced Bears fan. But this year, it is a good thing.
Im a Colts fan, and I have to agree with Stacy Q, at least for the short term. Two really bad lines=one bad team, even if the skill guys are dope. Until Saturday gets back and the O-line gels, and the D-line learns how to stop the run, the Colts are going to need miracles to beat a lot of teams.
Broncos, going all the way this year baby!
If the Broncos have a good year and make the playoffs, I'll consider it a successful season. If we win a game in the playoffs, I'll be happy headed into next season. The offense is young, there's plenty of time for Cutler and crew to win Superbowls, and I don't see us doing much in the post-season until the defense stops letting people score at will.
it's much too early in the season to start making super bowl predictions (injuries, my friends, injuries), but speaking as a giants fan, the enormous difference between last year and this year is that their secondary is much, much better.
aaron ross and corey webster (who came on in the post-season last year) are real cornerbacks, the best combination the giants have had in quite a few years, especially in conjunction with the pass rush.
meanwhile, out of nowhere, the offensive line has become one of the best in the league.
strong offensive line, strong defensive line, strong secondary: these are 20-game virtues....
Still, 3-1 and we're going to the Super Bowl baby!
I heard you were in my neck of the woods at the capital city bookfest this weekend. looks like our redskins love rubbed off on you a bit - they ARE the real thing this season and Zorn has shaken Campbell up enough to take us where we need to go. I'm feeling good about this one...(and am going to forget how many seasons since my childhood that I've said that same exact sentence before. THIS time I really believe.)
as a Bears fan, I know Kyle Orton is not the answer to what ails us...but the guys is doing a creditable job right now.
and buffalo was exposed yesterday. they are who we thought they were and we'll continue to find this out as the season rolls on. those guys are done.
here's an email i wrote to my friends after the cowboys game.
***
in london, having trouble sleeping.
observation: i am still not 100% on jason campbell BUT last game was the best of his career. more importantly, the second touchdown pass was probably one of the better plays he's made in the NFL.
first, it was his second or third read after his first was covered (i think it was a slant). second, his grasp of the flow of the defense and his reactino to randle-el's shading inside on that route showed a very good sense for how to read and find holes in a NFL coverage. plus it was third down and the difference between a touchdown and a field goal would be the difference between winning and losing.
great play and gave me hope for the season and for campbell. but again, i'd say the jury is still out. only i'm much more comfortable with him.