Recap from week 1 in the NFL

Week 1 brought lots of surprises around the league with upset victories and a season-ending knee injury to arguably one of the best players in the NFL. We got to see Brett Favre compete in his first regular season game as a Jet and he did a solid job leading the Jets to a 20-14 victory over the Dolphins. Despite all the pressure Aaron Rodgers came out on Monday Night Football to throw 18 for 22 in the game to beat the Vikings 24-19.

Clearly those were just a few stories that surrounded the NFL this weekend. Some people might wonder why football is the most popular sport in America. Well I'll tell you, it's because of three main reasons in my mind there are an endless amount of headlines from week to week. Another reason is parity, it is so high in the NFL and any team can be beaten in any particular week. The last reason is because it is the most violent sport out of the 4 main sports. All Americans like violence, it's fun to watch, and who doesn't like to hit somebody every once in a while.

Let's continue with the stories starting first in the AFC. Tom Brady just underwent season- ending knee surgery, which promises to shakeup the AFC quite a bit for the rest of the season. Shawne Merriman decided to have season-ending knee surgery as well on Tuesday. Now can Matt Cassel the backup quarterback for the Patriots carry the load for New England for the remainder of the season? I don't know if he can, he hasn't started a football game since High School. In College he backed up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC. One thing is for sure, even without Brady the Patriots are still a playoff team.

Vince Young left Sunday's game against the Jaguars with a knee injury. On Monday Young's family was worried about his emotional state of mind. So with no word from Young for over 4 hours, his family ended up calling the police to find him. Cause for concern? I would say it's a big concern, remember rumors came out about a year ago saying Young wanted to retire then. Is his mind right and does he still have the passion to play football week in and week out? Those are some of the questions I have and only time will tell to see what the answer is.

As for teams that impressed me on Sunday from the AFC. The Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Seattle Seahawks dominating them 34-10. Pittsburgh defeated the Houston Texans 38-17, Steelers in my mind are my favorite to go to the Super Bowl this year if I had to pick today. Along with the Jets good game, the Denver Broncos came out and pounded the Raiders 41-14. The Broncos looked very strong, it seems Jay Cutler is ready to lead his team to an AFC West Division crown.

As for the teams that disappointed me on Sunday in the AFC. It has to start with the Indianapolis Colts, they opened up their brand new stadium against the Chicago Bears. Well the Bears cam out even with Kyle Orton at the helm defeating the Colts 29-13. Is this just a fluke I'm not sure but it's safe to say the Colts did not look good in their new stadium. The Cleveland Browns didn't look so good against the Cowboys losing 28-10. I mean the Browns should have at least contended for the victory in their home opener. San Diego came out and laid an egg at home in their season opener against the Carolina Panthers. Now Carolina is good, but San Diego should win this game when it's played out west. I wouldn't be too concerned about the Chargers just yet, they started out last year 1-3 on the season before turning it around to make the playoffs. How about the Jaguars? I felt like they were going to come out and make a statement against the Titans. They ended up losing 17-10 and lost both starting offensive guards for the season.

In the NFC the headlines aren't quite as extensive as the AFC. San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith is out for season with a broken shoulder according to team sources from the 49ers. Saints wide receiver Marquez Colston is out 4-6 weeks with a thumb injury. Also Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback Jeff Garcia is out for this weekends game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Let's go to the NFC now with teams that impressed me after Week 1 of play. I really liked the way the Cowboys came out and played at Cleveland winning 28-10. In my mind they are primed for a long run in the playoffs this year even if Jessica Simpson opens her mouth. I was very impressed with the Philadelphia Eagles in their beat down of the St. Louis Rams 38-3. I also liked the way the Giants and Saints competed in their victories from the first week. Who can forget the Bears? Chicago went to Indy and finished coming home with a 29-13 stunner over Peyton Manning's Colts. Carolina came away with a big victory over the Chargers out west. The Falcons stunned all the Lions fans with their blowout vs. Detroit with Michael Turner's running ability.

Now I will finish out with the disappointments from the NFC in week 1. This has to start with the Detroit Lions, they stunk it up, and clearly forgot how to tackle players who carry the football. For more on the Lions read my article just down on my main blog page. The Minnesota Vikings didn't look very good either, especially Tavarius Jackson in his first game of the season. Washington, Seattle, and St. Louis all looked awful this past weekend. Washington couldn't move the football down the field against the Giants only scoring seven points. Seattle got blasted by the Buffalo Bills on the road by 24 points. The Rams probably played the second worst football game in the NFL this weekend only scoring three points vs. the Eagles. Of course the Lions played the worst because they lost to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are arguably the biggest franchise in disarray right now coming off of Vick and Petrino.

Overall it was a fun week of football and it's great to get the opportunity to watch football on Sunday until February now. Lots of uncertainty remains for the rest of the season in the NFL. Football is a dangerous sport and expect more injuries to come. For your own teams just hope an impact player doesn't get injured. Stay tuned for a preview of week 2 in the NFL coming soon.

Notre Dame Weis "To hell with Michigan"

Way back in April at a spring game in South Bend, IN. Charlie Weis muttered these exact words when asked about what he thought about the 2008 schedule. After San Diego St in week one "Then we'll listen to Michigan have all their excuses as they come running in, saying how they have a new coaching staff and all those changes," he added. "To hell with Michigan." Wow, talk about locker room material. This fired up players throughout the Michigan team and they will be sure to remember it on Saturday when they take field against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

These words might actually have some more meaning if it came from a proven coach. As far as I'm concerned Charlie Weis shouldn't be calling out anyone this early in his coaching career. If Weis is to call out anyone maybe it's the person in the buffet line who ate the last portion of the roast beef. I mean come on Charlie let's be serious, they do sell such a food called salad. Yes I am a Michigan fan and one by heart since I grew up in Ann Arbor. Weis needs to let his record do the talking and based off last years 3-9 record, Weis needs to shut up.

I mean come on Notre Dame lost to Air Force and Navy last year. They defeated UCLA, Duke, and Stanford. They ended up losing to Michigan last year 38-0. The year prior Weis had a good season going 10-3 losing games to Michigan, USC, and LSU. They lost to LSU in the Sugar Bowl 41-14. Basically Weis just has not gotten the job done as head coach of Notre Dame in big games. Back in 2005 Notre Dame went 9-3 under Weis but once again lost to USC and lost in the Fiesta Bowl to Ohio St. 34-20. So with all that said Weis is 23-15 overall at Notre Dame as head coach but has struggled mightily in the big games against powerhouse schools.

So with the kickoff set for 3:30 in South Bend this weekend, a lot is on the line for Weis. Even with a victory over Michigan this weekend, Weis must have a good season to show he can recruit and coach among the powerhouse schools across the nation. Michigan has struggled this season without a good option quarterback. I feel as the season wears on Michigan will improve, how much is the question. Knowing this is the first road game of the season, lots of uncertainty lies on the field Saturday.

So with all that said, by no means am I predicting a victory for the Wolverines Saturday against the Irish. I expect to see a close game between two teams who have rich traditions and lots of fans throughout the country. You would think Notre Dame would have the advantage with the game at home. Although with that bulletin board material in the Michigan locker room who knows when they hit the field Saturday. Let the players with the pads decide what happens and not the person with the big fat mouth. Treat everyone with respect and in return you will gain respect. Charlie Weis has not shown that to Michigan and in return I do not respect him whatsoever. GO BLUE!

Blackout Possible this Sunday

For the first time ever for the Lions at Ford Field, their may be a local television blackout. This is due to the fact the Lions still have 4,500 tickets to sell before Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. Wow it's about time fans stop showing up to Lions games to support this team. They have lost for years and fans have continuously came out to support the team. I hope this weekend's game is a blackout because that is the only possible way William Clay Ford will fix this franchise is if he starts feeling it in his pocket some.

Wow is all I had to say while watching the Lions get thrashed by the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Falcons were the worst team last year coming off of terrible situations with Mike Vick and Bobby Petrino. Vick got sent to prison for dogfighting and Petrino decided college was the way to go as he left for Arkansas. Yet even with a first year head coach in Mike Smith, new running back Michael Turner, and first round overall pick in Matt Ryan playing his first ever NFL game the Lions still lost. This was an unacceptable loss for the Lions. It's despicable to lose to a team like Atlanta, which is rebuilding for the next 2 or 3 years, because of the turmoil from last year's team.

How can the Lions continuously get high picks in the draft year in and year out but never get any better record wise? Most of us know the answer to that question, it's Matt Millen and the scouting department for the Lions. Then you look to the coaches, they don't get the most out of their players, they don't have enough experience to lead their team. I never felt good about hiring a head coach who's last job was to manage four guys on the defensive line for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sorry Rod you have a 53 man roster here in Detroit and you know very well if they don't play well it's going to come back on you resulting in a firing. This organization needs to start fresh once again but this time make sure Millen is the first one out the door.

Let's analyze Sunday's game a little, first off they allowed 318 yards rushing which was embarrassing. Missed tackles throughout the game on defense were led by Paris Lenon, Alex Lewis, Travis Fisher, Ernie Sims and others who helped Turner get so many yards. How about the Lions defensive line, did you see some of the holes the Falcons offensive line created? My grandma could have ran through them. In the secondary they played decent accept for the fact they fell asleep on Matt Ryan's first pass play which resulted in a 62 yard touchdown to Michael Jenkins.

Let's turn to the offensive side of the ball, Jon Kitna looked about as mad as I have ever seen him on the sidelines Sunday. It clearly sunk in to Kitna that they were losing to the Atlanta Falcons. Kevin Smith looked good in his first NFL start which was surprising because he knew very well his offensive line was terrible Sunday. False start Foster was trying to hold down the right tackle position but of course that was too much to ask for him. Jeff Backus has been stealing money from the Lions for years with his less than stellar run blocking ability. How about Jon Kitna himself, talk about a guy who needs to win now. Kitna at 34 years old, knows the end of his career is coming soon, so he needs to win now before he hangs his cleats up for good. Receivers Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams both looked good but clearly need to be a bigger part of the offense. Don't worry boys, that's not coming because Rod Marinelli wants to pound the football with the running game. Although he only has two on the roster, does that sound smart? No it's just another bad decision by a coach who lacks experience having 11 defensive lineman on his active roster and only two running backs.

Let's look ahead and try to figure out what to expect from the Lions this weekend against the Packers. Well as an optimist you might say it's a new week and the last game is behind us. Well as a follower of the Lions for years I know the trends. With one playoff victory in over 40 years of the franchise, things look pretty bleak. I expect the Lions to come out and play better this weekend against the Packers. Although after watching the Packers on Monday Night Football against the Vikings last night it's going to be tough for the Lions to get the victory on Sunday. I really don't care if they play better, it's about winning football games that counts. I feel they are going to come up just short against the Packers. Green Bay is better in so many facets of the game. Better coached, more experienced, can actuall tackle runners, can block the opposing team, have very good special teams, and have more all-around talent on their roster.

So after two weeks I feel the Lions will be 0-2 with a trip to San Francisco on their mind. Oh by the way the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback is J.T. O'Sullivan a former backup for the Lions. That should be interesting to say the least, how about another headline. Can former Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz beat his old team as the new coordinator for the 49ers. Well with the way the Lions tried to tackle Michael Turner this past week; Frank Gore shouldn't have any problems finding his way into the endzone. All I have to say is I hope I am wrong and the players/coaches step up more than I could ever imagine this week against the Green Bay Packers.

2008 Detroit Lions Season Prediction

It's that time of the year again Lions fans. Week 1 brings the anticipation of the season and after a an undefeated preseason many fans are buzzing about the prospect of a good season in the D. Before you get too excited you need to remember what the Lions history has been like and what recent teams have brought us as far as in the victory column. Don't be surprised if this team follows that trend and the Lions have yet another disappointing season again.

In my mind I feel this year the Lions will go 6-10. This is based on the toughness of the schedule and the inexperience throughout the Lions team. The schedule is very tough especially for the last 10 games playing against multiple teams that have the potential to go to the playoffs this season. The Lions are still 1 or 2 years away from making the playoffs. Although if the Lions fail to win 6 games this season Rod Marinelli may get fired. In that case the Lions will be set back another 2 to 3 years just because we have so many Marinelli like players on the roster. Most of these guys play on defense to play the cover 2 system. This season is a pivotal one for the Lions in order to get to the next level in the years to come.

As the opener starts this afternoon, one thing that is very concerning to me is the fact neither one of of our first two picks in the 2008 NFL Draft are starting in the opener. Let's face it the Lions were a average team last year with quite a few needs on the roster. Especially at the offensive tackle and linebacker positions. Jordan Dizon and Gosder Cherlius have both disappointed me mightily. I don't buy the fact that if you start a rookie you are instantly giving up on the season. These are not skilled positions they are playing. When you can't beat out Paris Lenon and George Foster for the starting position it is embarrassing. This just shows how bad last years draft was, you might think I am overreacting but seriously Dizon and Cherlius need to step it up ASAP.

So with all that said, I really like the fact the Lions went out and signed running back Rudi Johnson after the Bengals cut him last week. This shows the Lions are at least trying to help out the team this year. They didn't appear to want to do that when they let the San Francisco 49ers out bid them for linebacker Takeo Spikes. That was inexcusable because Spikes is a former All- Pro player and the Lions are terrible at the linebacker position with the exception of Ernie Sims. Alex Lewis is a great special teams player and that's about it. Ernie Sims is legit linebacker who has the ability to go to the Pro Bowl year in and year out. But Paris Lenon should be suiting up for the Grand Rapids Rampage, sorry he is awful and should not see the field in the NFL.

Things will be interesting for sure this season with lots of ups and downs like always. I can't wait to comment on the Lions on my radio show which airs Sunday nights 8-10 p.m and Wednesday afternoons 11-1p.m on www.thewhale.org starting this next week. I will have many insiders coming on the show to talk about the Lions. One last thing be sure to get your TUMS out as you watch the Lions play this season.