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NFL Week 2 – T Lamont’s Thoughts and Rants

T Lamont — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:25:20 +0000

Week 2 in the NFL is always one filled with loads of intrigue.

In a nutshell, it tells us whether we can believe what happened in Week 1. We either get filled with hope, saddled with pessimism, or swallowed into mediocrity when it comes to our teams. We do have to remember that, after today, only 12.5% of the season will have been played – so there’s time for change. But for teams that get off to a 2-0 start, they have managed to make the postseason 64% of the time. And that’s more than enough reason for fans in Washington, Buffalo, Detroit and Houston to dream big.

Here’s what’s on my mind after Sunday’s Week 2 games:

Detroit is the NFL’s wave of excitement right now. After handling Tamp Bay in their opener, the Lions obliterated a surprisingly weak-looking Kansas City, who somehow appeared to be sorrier than they did last week. Matt Stafford is doing what Detroit hoped he would, and the defense is vastly improved from its previously porous nature. Next week, Detroit will go on the road to face a desperate Vikings team, whose hopes of any optimism in 2011 are quickly taking a turn for the worse.

I was watching the Redskins-Cardinals game this afternoon, and was completely in awe of Kevin Kolb. He clearly has a bond with his teammates, and it showed convincingly after one particular play that put Arizona in position to win its first two games (but, of course, they ended up losing in Washington). On 1st and 15 with Washington lined up in a clear blitz, Kolb displayed his toughness. While he knew that London Fletcher was providing major heat from his backside, the Cardinals QB hung in the pocket and threw a strike to Larry Fitzgerald, who got behind the continuously-gambling DeAngelo Hall for a 73-yard touchdown. Kolb got his bell rung, but upon finding out about the score, found the awareness to celebrate the moment by chest-bumping his peers.

Kolb made a huge, game-changing play under pressure on Sunday.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, the second best quarterback in the AFC East? Two starts, two wins, seven TDs, no INTs. We know who’s the best, and everyone else is a distant second – including Mark Sanchez. The Jets quarterback has played favorably in the early going, but Fitzpatrick has been the unquestionable force behind the Bills’ 2-0 beginning – and did it again today, snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat in today’s 38-35 decision over Oakland.

In the past, Baltimore has been known to play up and down to its competition. After such a commanding beatdown of the AFC North kingpin Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the Ravens ate crow against the Titans. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 358 yards, exposing the injuries that have crept up to cripple the Ravens defense. Looks like the division is up for grabs again…

I’ve never been too high nor too low on Tony Romo. Last week, it seemed as if I had more Facebook friends who were Dallas fans than I realized, because my feed was bombarded with Romo-bashing status updates. I haven’t taken a peek at my feed today, so I should see nothing but positive vibes based on what Romo did today. It would have been easy to roll over and play dead after hurting his ribs early versus the Niners, but Romo reached back, sucked it up, and led the Cowboys to an overtime win on the road.

If I’m Arian Foster, I’m not as comfortable as I was at the start of the season. Foster suffered another setback as he left today’s game with a hamstring injury. Ben Tate has proven that he can handle the full-time running back responsibilities (back-to-back 100+ yard games), and the Texans have not missed a beat with Foster watching the action…

It’s Week 2, and the Eagles’ protection (or lack thereof) has already caused Vick to suffer what will probably be the first of (at least) a few dings this season. With Vince Young looking clueless on the sidelines, Mike Kafka handled himself well (7-9, 72 yards) when a dropped pass ended what could have been a game-winning touchdown drive. However, the Eagles’ “Super Bowl or bust” mantra will go up in smoke fats within #7 behind center. Double tight ends and and two backs. Philadelphia, you need to do whatever you can to protect your $100 million man.

Vikings, Cowboys Fall To 0-2

T Lamont — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:54:25 +0000

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Fans in Minnesota and Dallas didn’t expect it to be this way.

After meeting in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs last season, both teams were picked as favorites to sit atop their respective divisions once again. But with the early set of Sunday games coming to a close, they are facing 0-2 starts to the new campaign.

Minnesota looks like a team that has lost their mojo. Everything fell brilliantly in place in 2009, and the offense and defense just clicked to perfection. The anticipated combination of a powerful running game and an explosive passing game worked to perfection as the Vikes soared to a 12-4 regular season record.

But the first two games of the 2010 season has been marred by an inconsistent air attack. At New Orleans, Brett Favre was never able to get into a rhythm. Adrian Peterson has a modest 87 yards rushing on 19 carries, and the overall offensive production was simply anemic. In today’s contest at home versus the Dolphins, Favre didn’t have any excuses. Peterson put up a whale of a game, carrying the rock 28 times for 145 yards and a touch. This time around Favre did himself in by throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble. 19 points in two games usually results in two losses. And that exactly where Minnesota is at despite a couple of above average performances by their defensive unit.

Dallas head coach Wade Phillips needs to mix up the play calling to take some pressure off of quarterback Tony Romo.

As for the Cowboys, turnovers have been costly. At Fedex Field last Sunday night, their opponent’s sole touchdown came on a fumble return (after an ill-advised play call) for a touchdown. Today, Dallas committed three turnovers, which was three more than the Bears in their 27-20 loss. While the Cowboys have outgained their foes by over 100 yards in each of their first two match-ups, their giveaways have negated their offensive advantage.

Dallas has also become notably pass happy. Their play distribution thus far in 2010 has been 70% pass – 30% run. This doesn’t sound like a happy medium, and getting no production on the ground will eventually make things even harder than they already appear to be on Tony Romo’s efficiency.

There’s still ample time for both teams to turn it around. The Vikings seem to have a gift waiting for them next week, as they face the Detroit Lions at home. The Cowboys, on the other hand, could be in serious jeopardy of starting the season with three losses as they prepare for an in-state battle against the upstart Houston Texans, who are coming off on a come-from-behind overtime win over the Redskins in Washington.

It’s early, but both teams have more work to do…much, much earlier than expected.

Romo Should Focus on Football

T Lamont — Sun, 23 May 2010 23:12:43 +0000

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Tony Romo is inching closer to playing in the U.S. Open golf tournament.

On June 7, he’ll have a 36-hole qualifier. If Romo is one of the top finishers there, he’ll compete at Pebble Beach on June 17-20.

But this is the last thing that the Cowboys’ quarterback should be worried about.

Romo’s Cowboys have been big time postseason underachievers the past few years. In fact, Dallas has been booted in the first round in two of the past four seasons. One season, they missed the playoffs all together.

Last year, the Cowboys put together a nice end-of-season run – winning their final three regular season games – to push them into the playoffs. They smoked the Philadelphia Eagles in consecutive games late in the season - once in their regular season finale’ and again, the following week, in the Wild Card playoff round.

After their impressive late season success, the Cowboys have something special to build upon. Their defense has displayed particular improvement year over year, and last year they held opponents to single-digit scoring in six contests.

Will Romo focus enough on football to give Dallas greater playoff success?

But in every game that has ended the Cowboys’ past four seasons, it has been Tony Romo who has delivered a less-than-stellar effort. Let’s look at his performances in the games before Dallas began their winter vacations:

(Completions-Attempts, Yards, Touchdowns, Interceptions, QB Rating)

2006: 17-29, 189 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs, 89.6 QB Rating

2007: 18-36, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 64.7 QB Rating

2008: 21-39, 183 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 55.8 QB Rating

2009: 22-35, 198 yards, 0 TDs,1 INT, 66.1 QB Rating

Tony Romo needs to make sure that he is not the reason that Dallas’ season ends. His non-inspiring performances have given Romo the unofficial title of a postseason choker in the clutch.

Tony Romo has been that All-American guy. He stays in the tabloids, sharing headlines with Jessica Simpson and Carrie Underwood.

And now he’s spending his offseason trying to qualify for a golf major.

Seems like 2010 will hold more of the same disappointment for the Cowboys and their unfocused leader.

Minnesota Cruises Into Conference Championship Game

T Lamont — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:06:22 +0000

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40-year old Brett Favre had a first during the 2010 NFC Divisional Playoffs.

Favre threw 4 touchdowns (for the first time in his playoff career) and the Minnesota Vikings manhandled the Dallas Cowboys, 34-3. Sidney Rice was on the receiving end of three of those touchdowns as the Vikings scored 17 fourth-quarter points to seal the victory.

There was a little bit of controversy near the end of the game. On a 4th-and-3 with 1:55 remaining in the game, Brett Favrethrew a 11-yard TD pass which ran the score to 34-3. Members of the Cowboys felt that the final score was uncalled for…particularly when Minnesota had the game well in hand. Dallas linebacker Keith Brooking called it “totally classless and disrespectful”.

Tony Romo was under pressure all game long.

Regardless of the late-game situation, the Vikings dominated the game from start to finish. Three Dallas turnovers stunted their offensive momentum and kept them out of rhythm. Tony Romo struggled (including his two lost fumbles) and was unable to get any big yardage on his pass plays. He was sack six times by Viking defenders.

The Vikings kept their play-callinghonest – running 26 times with superstar back Adrian Peterson and passing 24 times with Favre. The mix helped them to move the ball effectively through the air. Favre completed 15 passes for 234 yards.

The Minnesota win sets the stage for a dynamic NFC conference championship which will features the two teams with the best records in the conference. The Vikings will square off against the Saints in a much anticipated showdown next weekend.

NFC Divisional Playoff Picks

T Lamont — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:24:16 +0000

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Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints:

The divisional playoff round kicks off with this whale of a game – which, at first glance, appears to be a high-scoring affair in the making. The Cardinals – fresh off of a 51-45 wild card win over the Green Bay Packers – bring an explosive offense into the Superdome. Arizona put big points on the board against a team that boasted the Defensive Player of the Year (Charles Woodson). However, Kurt Warner and Co. better not fall into the trap of trying to gunsling with New Orleans. The Cardinals need to get strong contributions from their ground game (Beanie Wells, Tim Hightower), and use it effectively to eat up some clock. Warner must make good decisions with the pass and not force things…or the Saints are gonna win handily.

New Orleans wants Arizona to think they can match up point for point. The Saints are well-known for their offensive firepower, but it has been their defensive playmakers that have turned many games in their favor. They have five players who have multiple interceptions, and three players who have returned their interceptions for touchdowns. In other words, if Warner lets his guard down, the Cardinals will pay for it.

I’m going with the Saints at the Superdome.

Antoine Winfield's health will be key if the Vikings have hopes of shutting down the Dallas passing game.

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings:

The Cowboys have shed their horrible image of being chokers at the end of the season. They’ve come up with big wins against the Saints and Eagles (twice) in the last four weeks. There was nothing cheap about the victory over New Orleans, and Dallas simply overpowered Philly two weeks in a row. Dallas’ balance of running and passing should suit them well against a Minnesota defensive secondary that has not been healthy. The Cowboys need Marion Barber, Miles Austin and Jason Witten to keep the chains moving. On the defensive side, they have been outstanding. They have shutout their opponents in 2 of their last 3 games – and last week they stifled Philly once again.

Minnesota has been under the scope all season, thanks to their high profile quarterback (Brett Favre), high profile running back (Adrian Peterson), and now, high profile coach (Brad Childress). With a late season disruption between Favre and Childress, one has to wonder what is going to happen when the pressure mounts. The bottom line with the Vikings is that they have to use the run to set up the pass. Adrian Peterson needs to have between 25 and 30 carries to keep the Cowboys defense guessing. If they don’t mix up their game, the hot Dallas defense could do just enough to make things uncomfortable for Favre.

I think Romo continues to shed some of his past image, hits some passes early, and does enough to push the Cowboys into the conference championship round.