3 RD AND LONG WEEK 3

By AARON KEEL

Well the third week of the season is in the books and it’s been a great start to the NFL season. We’ve had surprises (Ravens, Jets, and Vikings) and disappointments (Giants, Dolphins, and Steelers). From this week to the end of the season I will hand out my weekly awards in various categories, a few observations, my top 5 teams, and picks for the week. Let the games begin!

The Tag ‘Em and Bag ‘Em Award (Best Hit) - D.J. Williams

In a very well contested game between the Pats and Broncos the Denver LB clearly showed which of the two teams was in control. On a third down play late in the game Faulk caught a received a screen pass before Williams drop the hammer on Faulk sending him into next year. You could just hear Faulk’s brain go into answering mode, Beep “We’re sorry, the person you’re trying to reach is away, but please leave a message at the beep”. Beep.

 

The Carny Award (Best Circus Catch) - T.J. Houshmandzadeh

People!!! People!!! Step right up and be amazed!!! Maybe the Cincinnati Bengals should have circus barkers in their stands from now on. In a showdown between two of the biggest rivals in the entire NFL Houshmandzadeh came up with the biggest play of the day. Clinging to a four point lead against the Steelers Houshmandzadeh somehow managed to get one hand on the ball, spinning it off his helmet, and somehow having the concentration to turn to the right side and cradle the ball for the touchdown and a 28-17 Bengals lead.

 

The “Where’s Waldo Award (Best Disappearing Act) – Daunte Culpepper

Excuse me; didn’t you used to be to Pro Bowl QB Daunte Culpepper? Weren’t you supposed to be the missing link for a team that won their last 6 games and had some in Miami talking playoffs and possibly Super Bowl? So far Culpepper has looked little like the missing piece and more like the QB that looked so bad that the Vikings were willing to part ways with him. It’s gotten so bad that some fans in Dolphin Land are actually calling for backup Joey Harrington. The Dolphins will only go so far as Culpepper takes them and so far he’s taken them straight into the ground. Even with their win Sunday Culpepper looks uncomfortable and has Dolphin management thinking twice about that decision not to go after Drew Brees.

 

Hot Air Balloon Award (Most Overblown Story) – Donovan McNabb

If only people were this quick to jump on my bandwagon. Coming into this year a lot of people (myself included) were wondering how McNabb would do without T.O. around to throw to. So far McNabb has looked great passing for over 900 yards and 7 tds through the first 3 games. Now there is a bum rush to get on that Donovan bandwagon. But hold on a minute my friends, not so fast. McNabb has done what he should do, take advantage of horrible defenses and inflate those numbers. The Eagles have the 24 th (49ers), 30 th (Giants), and 32 nd (Texans) ranked passing defense in the NFL. Come on people these aren’t defenses, these are a QB’S wet dream. Geriatric Mark Brunell threw 22 straight completions against the Texans this week, need I say more? Let’s wait till the Eagles play a team with an actual defense before we start anointing McNabb completely back.

 

The Balls of Steel Award (Toughest Player) – Chris Simms

I don’t know about you but when I get a paper cut I call in sick to work. Simms must’ve been worried about saving his Paid Time Off. He ruptures his spleen causing internal bleeding during the second quarter of a must win game against division rival Panthers and you know what he does? Misses just 2 plays before almost pulling off the come from behind win. Afterwards Simms was rushed to the hospital where his injury was discovered and his spleen was removed. Even though the Buccaneers’ season appears to be over, Simms has given this team something to rally behind for this season and next when he probably makes his return.

 

Random Observations

John Madden is obviously the devil. His game has just claimed another cover model, this time Shaun Alexander being the unlucky one as he and the Seahawks discover he has a broken bone in his left foot. Needless to say I will be turning John down when he approaches me for next year’s cover.

Carson Palmer is going to get his receivers killed . For the second week in a row Palmer left another receiver out to dry and for the second week in a row that receiver was thrown in the dryer on permanent press. This week it was Chris Henry, last week Chad Johnson was bloodied. At this rate the Bengals will have to add life insurance to all WR’s contracts.

The Falcons should’ve stayed in Atlanta . With all the hoopla and emotion surrounding the Saints return to the Superdome for the first time since Katrina hit was anyone really surprised by the outcome of this game? If this game was just a regular game the superior Falcons would’ve dominated the Saints but this was no ordinary game. This was worse then when the Redskins had to play the Giants right after Mara died last season; you knew it was over before it began.

Seattle and Shockey don’t mix. I don’t know what it is about Seattle that makes Shockey act like a buffoon. Last year he started celebrating a victory before it happened and then looked like a fool afterwards. This time he bashed the coaching staff after the thumping they received at the hands of Seattle . If Tom Coughlin has any brains he’ll keep Shockey at home next time these two play.

 

Top 5 Power Teams

• COLTS (3-0) - Even though they were dominated in several aspects of the game, the Colts still were able to pull out the victory against a team some people were ready to hand the Lombardi Trophy. Props to Manning for running the boot leg in for the score; nobody saw that coming especially the Jags. Next Week – Sunday @ N.Y. Jets
• BENGALS (3-0) – If you had told me after the Bengals’ game against the Steelers that Chad Johnson had only one catch and that Carson Palmer threw 2 INTS and was sacked 6 times I would’ve told you that the Steelers had won. But I would’ve been wrong as the Bengals got the big plays when they mattered and definitely look like the class of the AFC North. Next week’s game against the Pats will be another challenge but the Bengals play with such confidence I don’t see it being a problem. Next Week – Sunday Home Against N.E. Patriots
• RAVENS (3-0) – That Baltimore defense is looking fantastic and the offense isn’t too shabby either. The addition of Steve McNair seems to have given the Ravens a certain swagger that this team hasn’t had since they won the Super Bowl. Next Week Home Against S.D. Chargers
• SEAHAWKS (3-0) – Now that is a butt-whooping people. Who knew Hasselbeck could channel his inner Peyton Manning? A lot of experts had the Giants getting revenge after the kicking debacle of last year but apparently Seattle didn’t get the memo. Although they have lost league MVP Alexander to injury Seattle has the defense and firepower to hold down the fort until his return. Next Week @ Chicago
• BEARS (3-0) – Everyone together now, DA BEARS!!! Say what you will about Grossman in the past but this kid is getting it done this year. Even after throwing some horrible interceptions Rex kept his composure and won the game. Add to the fact that they’re doing this without the hint of a running game and it makes what Grossman is doing that much more impressive. Next Week Home Against The Seahawks

Game of the Week - (Tie) San Diego@Baltimore & Seattle@Chicago

These two games will have a huge impact on the landscape of the NFL. While the Chargers and Ravens will play to prove they are for real the Seahawks and Bears will be playing for the front runner role in the NFC.

 

Weekly Picks

(Winners in Bold)

INDIANAPOLIS @ N.Y. JETS
NEW ORLEANS @ CAROLINA
MINNESOTA @ BUFFALO
ARIZONA @ ATLANTA
SAN DIEGO @ BALTIMORE
MIAMI @ HOUSTON
SAN FRANCISCO @ KANSAS CITY
DALLAS @ TENNESSEE
DETROIT @ ST. LOUIS
JACKSONVILLE @ WASHINGTON
CLEVELAND @ OAKLAND
NEW ENGLAND @ CINCINNATI
SEATTLE @ CHICAGO

MONDAY NIGHT
GREEN BAY @ PHILADELPHIA

Enjoy Week 4 and check back next week for another installment of 3 rd and Long.

[Top] [Print this Page]