FFI: GAME NOTES

FFI: GAME NOTES
SEPTEMBER 6th, 2007



THE NFL 2007 SEASON HAS BEGUN

Well its official, the 2007 regular season is underway. The 2007 season opener featured a couple of teams with some high-powered offenses and had the makings to be an exciting clash of Superstars!

Well Thursday night was filled with many pre-game stars from Kelly Clarkson to John Cougar-Mellencamp to Faith Hill, but what it was missing were a few from New Orleans.

On the primetime stage Peyton Manning and Company did not disappoint, although their new feature back did put a huge scare in the hearts of many fantasy football gamers. On the team’s first offensive play from scrimmage running back Joseph Addai went down and did not get up for several minutes. When he did finally make it up he went straight to the bench and sat out the remainder of the series. Fortunately for league owners with Addai on their team it was nothing more than the wind knocked out of him.

Like his counterpart Manning, Addai was equally impressive carrying the ball 23 times for 118 yards. Addai also added three catches for another 25 yards, looking very much like a young James, but perhaps with more scat. If tonight was any indication, 79% of the touches in the running game, Addai is on his way to a huge season!

Manning’s start tonight was also an indication of possibly another Peyton like season (288 yards passing, 3-tds). Take it for what you will, not only do the Colts look primed on offense to do what they do (Marvin & Reggie, 11 catches for 198 yards & 3 touchdowns combined), but now they have a defense (3-takeaways)?

On the flip side, Drew Brees did not look poised all night. He seemed to be pressing at times and very hesitant to throw down field. When he did, it was not good (two picks on the night). The Saints are coming off a big season from a year ago and perhaps expectations this year could be adding some pressure on the boys from Louisiana.

On a night when the Saints needed stars, they fell like meteors and landed with a thud. Reggie Bush and company could not get the running game untracked (McAllister & Bush; 22 carries for 76 yards, 3.4 yards per carry combined). The Saints tried to get Bush involved in the passing game with 4 catches, but for only 7 yards.

The night was expected to be full of fireworks, but the 41-10 result showed only one team arrived cocked and loaded. The defending champs are well on their way to backing up last years title run. There are 16 more weeks of football to go, so we have got a lot to look forward to in Indianapolis.

The Saints however can take tonight’s game and look at the results with the same perspective. Although they did not look like last year’s dream-season team, they still contain many of those same ingredients. There are 16 more weeks of football to play, so we still have a lot to look forward to in New Orleans!

~D.Ortega
FFI