FFI: MNF GAME NOTES
SEPTEMBER 10th, 2007
DOUBLE THE FUN ON MONDAY NIGHT
The opening weekend of the NFL season, with a planned double-header scheduled for Monday night had all the promise of night filled with excitement and great plays. Well for half the night we were entertained with some of that, but the other half was anything but memorable.
Ravens give one away
A quote to remember; “You don’t have to be a genius to figure out it’s tough to win in the NFL when you turn the ball over (and six times, does anything really need to be said).”
~said by someone who lost somewhere
Whenever you have a divisional match-up there is always that scent of heated rivalry. Throw in the mix, Chad Johnson and Ray Lewis and you have a made for television event. On Monday night, both players found themselves center stage when the Ravens met the Bengals for the first game of the Monday night double header.
The Bengal’s team leader and quarterback Carson Palmer looked very sharp early in the game connecting often with his two-headed monster, wideouts Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh (something that can be expected through-out the season). Palmer finished the night completing 20 of 32 for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ocho Cinco (Johnson) did all of his damage in the first half catching 5 passes for 95 yards, including a 39 yard touchdown score. TJ was consistent through-out the night (9 receptions, 50 yards, 1td), unlike Ocho Cinco, who disappeared in the second half.
On the other sideline, the Raven’s own field general started showing signs of wear and his age. Quarterback Steve McNair suffered what appeared to be a slight groin injury early in the game and needed to get it wrapped (as seen on TV with a screen of towels covering the All-Pro). McNair looked rusty, some of his throws were not sharp and at time he struggled to move around the pocket (making the injury quite apparent). While Air-McNair failed to get off the ground with any effectiveness, the Ravens running game when Head Coach Brian Billick decided to stay with it did well (4.3 yds/gain). The Raven’s new starting running back Willis McGahee gained 77 yards on 19 carries. The only bright spot in the passing game for Baltimore was the play of wide receiver Derrick Mason (7 receptions, 76 yards), trying to prove to old savy veteran is not done.
The Big story on the night however was turnovers. The Ravens committed 6 on the night and you just can’t win when you do that.
Spin:
McNair struggled in the opener and did not look comfortable all night, fumbling three times. There has been no update to McNair’s injury, but even if he gets healthy or if the team is forced to go with back-up Kyle Boller, the Ravens offense is on its’ way to quickly become a fantasy nightmare, unless they learn how to run the ball soon with McGahee.
SEPTEMBER 10th, 2007
DOUBLE THE FUN ON MONDAY NIGHT
The opening weekend of the NFL season, with a planned double-header scheduled for Monday night had all the promise of night filled with excitement and great plays. Well for half the night we were entertained with some of that, but the other half was anything but memorable.
Ravens give one away
A quote to remember; “You don’t have to be a genius to figure out it’s tough to win in the NFL when you turn the ball over (and six times, does anything really need to be said).”
~said by someone who lost somewhere
Whenever you have a divisional match-up there is always that scent of heated rivalry. Throw in the mix, Chad Johnson and Ray Lewis and you have a made for television event. On Monday night, both players found themselves center stage when the Ravens met the Bengals for the first game of the Monday night double header.
The Bengal’s team leader and quarterback Carson Palmer looked very sharp early in the game connecting often with his two-headed monster, wideouts Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh (something that can be expected through-out the season). Palmer finished the night completing 20 of 32 for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ocho Cinco (Johnson) did all of his damage in the first half catching 5 passes for 95 yards, including a 39 yard touchdown score. TJ was consistent through-out the night (9 receptions, 50 yards, 1td), unlike Ocho Cinco, who disappeared in the second half.
On the other sideline, the Raven’s own field general started showing signs of wear and his age. Quarterback Steve McNair suffered what appeared to be a slight groin injury early in the game and needed to get it wrapped (as seen on TV with a screen of towels covering the All-Pro). McNair looked rusty, some of his throws were not sharp and at time he struggled to move around the pocket (making the injury quite apparent). While Air-McNair failed to get off the ground with any effectiveness, the Ravens running game when Head Coach Brian Billick decided to stay with it did well (4.3 yds/gain). The Raven’s new starting running back Willis McGahee gained 77 yards on 19 carries. The only bright spot in the passing game for Baltimore was the play of wide receiver Derrick Mason (7 receptions, 76 yards), trying to prove to old savy veteran is not done.
The Big story on the night however was turnovers. The Ravens committed 6 on the night and you just can’t win when you do that.
Spin:
McNair struggled in the opener and did not look comfortable all night, fumbling three times. There has been no update to McNair’s injury, but even if he gets healthy or if the team is forced to go with back-up Kyle Boller, the Ravens offense is on its’ way to quickly become a fantasy nightmare, unless they learn how to run the ball soon with McGahee.
The Cardinals top Niners in sleeper
There wasn’t much to look at in the night-cap when the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals met. Both offenses struggled to sustain any kind of rhythm or drives. It wasn’t until the last few minutes of the game before there was any real excitement.
The Cards quarterback Matt Leinart really struggled in the pocket, having all kinds of trouble moving around. The Niners did a good job getting a push up the middle and putting pressure on the Ex-Trojan all night. When Leinart did have time, he was hesitant to pull the trigger. As a result the feared aerial attack of Arizona was grounded all night. The only pleasant surprise was the hard-nose running of Edgerrin James who tallied 92 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown (could be a good sign for gamers that took a chance on the Edge early).
The Niners did just enough to win this game and that was the worst part. They only did just enough. Quarterback Alex Smith was off target all night, his receivers could not hold onto any passes and the offensive play calling left a lot to be desired. When you have running back, Frank Gore that led the NFC in rushing a year ago, 18 carries will not get it done. The only drive where the Niners looked fluent or moved the ball with any poise was the final drive (even then, Niner fans were holding their breaths). As if winning was not enough, the Niners tried their best to add excitement and drama fumbling away the possible win, only to recover the loose ball in the end-zone to preserve the opportunity. Fortunately too, the only points that matter to the Niners are real points and not fantasy.
Spin:
Do not take too much away from this game other than to realize both teams did a very good job in the off-season to improve their defenses. These teams are loaded with too much talent to have another game like this (at least not next week). Gore will get his touches and Leinart will settle down and make the throw he must.
~D.Ortega
There wasn’t much to look at in the night-cap when the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals met. Both offenses struggled to sustain any kind of rhythm or drives. It wasn’t until the last few minutes of the game before there was any real excitement.
The Cards quarterback Matt Leinart really struggled in the pocket, having all kinds of trouble moving around. The Niners did a good job getting a push up the middle and putting pressure on the Ex-Trojan all night. When Leinart did have time, he was hesitant to pull the trigger. As a result the feared aerial attack of Arizona was grounded all night. The only pleasant surprise was the hard-nose running of Edgerrin James who tallied 92 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown (could be a good sign for gamers that took a chance on the Edge early).
The Niners did just enough to win this game and that was the worst part. They only did just enough. Quarterback Alex Smith was off target all night, his receivers could not hold onto any passes and the offensive play calling left a lot to be desired. When you have running back, Frank Gore that led the NFC in rushing a year ago, 18 carries will not get it done. The only drive where the Niners looked fluent or moved the ball with any poise was the final drive (even then, Niner fans were holding their breaths). As if winning was not enough, the Niners tried their best to add excitement and drama fumbling away the possible win, only to recover the loose ball in the end-zone to preserve the opportunity. Fortunately too, the only points that matter to the Niners are real points and not fantasy.
Spin:
Do not take too much away from this game other than to realize both teams did a very good job in the off-season to improve their defenses. These teams are loaded with too much talent to have another game like this (at least not next week). Gore will get his touches and Leinart will settle down and make the throw he must.
~D.Ortega
FFI
