We'll take a look at each of the Week Two matchups and reflect a bit on the opening weekend and other shenanigans. Let me first say this: it is nearly impossible for any individual to cover the entire NFL. For evidence of this, turn on the collection of buffoons on ESPN. I don't care about Peter King or Power Rankings anymore and I'll stop complaining about them. All the good sports journalism in this country - with the possible exception of Rick Gosselin and Gregg Easterbrook - happens at the local beat writer level (but unfortunately not in Chicago).
Bears @ Carolina
Tom Sorensen in the Charlotte Observer wrote about the Panthers' miracle drive to beat the Chargers and it wonderfully captures the spirit of being an NFL fan. Compare it to the Tribune's glass half empty response to the Bears beating the Eagles in similar fashion last season and you'll understand why the Chicago press can be irritating.
What made the Panthers drive even more amazing was that it was the team's only offensive touchdown all day. Analysis of the game coming Thursday.
Oakland @ Kansas City
Is this game on television? Why?
Tennessee @ Cincinnati
1. Vince Young continues to stink on the field.
2. Vince Young gets booed off the field.
3. Vince Young refuses to go back in.
4. Vince Young "injures" his knee.
5. Vince Young's close ones call the cops because they feared he was suicidal.
6. Kerry Collins to play Sunday.
7. Vegas makes the horrendous Bengals favorites because most of America doesn't know how much Vince Young stinks.
8. Nobody drafts players from the University of Texas anymore.
Indianapolis @ Minnesota
It took an entire football game for folks up in Minnesota to wonder if Tarvaris Jackson is good. (He's not.) The NFL is not like baseball. Scoreboard watching begins the first week of the season and Bears fans should be rooting hard for the Colts on Sunday.
Green Bay @ Detroit
Nobody writes a morning after pill column like Mitch Albom after a Lions loss.
New York Giants @ St. Louis
Though a fella named Bernie Miklasz is going to get about fourteen opportunities this season down in Missouri.
New Orleans @ Washington
Somebody in Vegas is a Washington Redskins fan because there's no way this game is a pick 'em. Washington - last Thursday night - was putrid offensively, non-existent defensively and made Herm Edwards' clock management look downright expert. I thought the Redskins would lose 10 games this year. They may lose 12.
Buffalo @ Jacksonville
David Garrard was sacked seven times this week and threw two interceptions. That's 2/3 of his total interceptions and 1/3 of his total sacks for all of last season. Why? Read this. And also read this. There isn't a unit in the league as decimated as the Jaguars offensive line...
San Francisco @ Seattle
...except for maybe the Seahawks wide receivers. After losing Nate Burleson for the season, Holmgren's 'Hawks have only three healthy receivers: Jordan Kent, Logan Payne and Courtney Taylor. Don't worry. Nobody knows who they are.
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay
Mike Francesca on Atlanta’s rushing attack last week: “Michael Turner ran for 200 yards against the Lions. Tina Turner coulda got 150.” If you had to make a list of the defenses you don't want your rookie quarterback to face in his second game, this is right near the top.
Miami @ Arizona
Let me know who wins.
Baltimore @ Houston
Accountability Alert. The never-correct Scout.com wrote in their pre-draft analysis of Joe Flacco, "Not a threat to run the ball."
From the box score: TD - Joe Flacco, 38 yd run (Matt Stover kick is good), 0:15. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards in 2:32.
Good work, fellas.
New England @ New York Jets
Listen, I'm an anti-Brett Favre guy but does a mediocre performance against a one-win football team really warrant the cover of Sports Illustrated? Or does this simply show the continuing fade into irrelevance for a once legendary magazine?
And can we stop with this season now becoming a referendum on Bill Bellichick's ability to coach a ballclub. Where do writers come up with this shit?
San Diego @ Denver
I root against two teams outside the NFC North: San Diego and Philadelphia. Philly has the most fairweather fans in the county and San Diego apparently has no fans at all. This weekend, the local Fox affiliate had to purchase the unsold seats just to get the game on television. And a visit to their website reveals that they have tickets available for every home game remaining. This team went to the AFC Championship Game last season. I know the weather is always beautiful out there but it's only three hours a week, eight weeks a year.
Pittsburgh @ Cleveland
Look at the Browns' last five games of the season: Indy, @ Tennessee, @ Philly, Cincy, @ Pittsburgh. This is a 5-to-7 win football team. Maybe the NFL should put them in primetime another half dozen times.
Philadelphia @ Dallas
When Adam Jones was asked about the Eagle victory Sunday, he said "They played the Rams, dude." Assholes have the remarkable ability to insult multiple people with a single sentence. Adam Jones is a world class asshole.
#2 pankster in nc said . . .first bitches!
I said first!
September 9, 2008
#3 pankster in nc said . . .ESPN came out with the power rankings how the hell is SD chargers #3 and indy #7,Bears not in top 20?Minn looked awful Gb looked ok we play 1 week at a time we can go a long way
BEAR DOWN CHICAGO BEARS BEAR DOWN!!!!!1September 9, 2008
#4 Shady said . . .ESPN came out with the power rankings how the hell is SD chargers #3 and indy #7,Bears not in top 20?Minn looked awful Gb looked ok we play 1 week at a time we can go a long way
BEAR DOWN CHICAGO BEARS BEAR DOWN!!!!!1September 9, 2008
#5 Jimbo said . . .So did anyone else just skip right to the comments? haha
Anyway, I think the comparison between responses to the comeback wins of the Bears and of the Panthers are too difficult to compare for a couple of reasons. First, it was the Panthers' first game of the season and for the Bears, it had already been such a terrible start to the season that they had found it more than difficult to win 2 games in a row.
Secondly, as a media person, you have to go by what the players say and how they act, the Tribune captures many comments by players who seemed even keel at best about the win. In San Diego, I would bet the Carolina players were pretty happy about the win.
Lastly, the Bears had not played exceptionally well throughout the game in Philly and could/should have lost the game to the Eagles, a team who was in a very similar situation, unlike the Chargers and Panthers. But I would agree the press is rather pessimistic, and that's the way it should be. I like watching these players, especially the defense, prove their critics wrong.
In my eyes, whoever runs the ball next Sunday wins the game. If the Bears and Panthers both run well, give it to the team who creates more turnovers. If they have the same amount of turnovers, give it to the team who converts best on 3rd downs. Equal there too? Give it to the team who wins the battle of the trenches. Can't decide? Give it to the team that represents tails in the opening coin toss. Tails never fails baby.
I would love the Colts to ensure Minny starts 0-2 this season. But I would love it more if Detroit upset Green Bay. Fuck Pacman Jones, I can't believe that piece of shit was reinstated.
September 9, 2008
#6 animal said . . .Power rankings... in the first week??? Thats non-sense. SD should not be #3 after losing, and now merriman is done for the season. Bears should be higher than 15... but keep up the media disrespect cause i think it makes our guys play harder.
The panthers have a respectable power running game. Williams is solid when healthy and Stewart is a beast (go Oregon)... but with no Steve Smith... stop the run and its game over.
The chargers have been, and always will be, huge chokers. I think i might hate Phillip Rivers almost as much as Farve... at minimum he has a high duchebag potential.
Going 2-0 on the road to start the season would be HUGE... plus i think indy is going to stomp the Vikes. Jackson sucks, clearly AP can't win the game alone (see monday night). Plus the colts are gonna be fired up after losing to us.
September 10, 2008
#7 BRIANsong said . . .So... we aren't suppose to talk fantasy football. here. but what the hell, Ill risk the wrath.
I had Brady as my #1 pick. Now he's gone. What the hell are other people in that scenario doing? Do you pick up Matt Cassell? I grabbed John Kitna to replace him and I feel like punching myself repeatedly now.September 10, 2008
#8 Al In WI said . . .I don't think Jeff minds if people talk fantasy football. He just doesn't talk it himself.
As for your question. Pick up KO.
September 10, 2008
#9 Rancid said . . .Last night's game was really interesting to watch. I thought both teams were pretty mediocre and poorly coached. 20 penalties?!? Terrible.
Green Bay won the game as much because of how bad MN was. The punt return and the poor play of Jackson sealed it.
I've been watching football for a long, long time. Tavaris Jackson is the worst quarterback I've ever seen a team intentionally start. I'm not counting guys that came in late in the year because of injury. Just guys who teams choose to start and hang with. He is absolutely brutal. That team would be decent with a average quarterback. But right now they're staring 0-4 right in the face. Just look at their schedule.September 10, 2008
#10 Panda Bear said . . .Before I remembered he writes about the Lions I almost felt bad reading the Mitch Albom piece. Good writer. Up there at least they waited until their team sucked big time to trash them.
I can't wait to talk about Carolina. They're riding high from the comeback but they honestly didn't play the greatest game. If we play mistake free offense this looks like a should win.
September 10, 2008
#11 Brian in Sec 430 Row 25 said . . .Speaking of terrible QB's that teams will intentionally start, what do you think of Vince Young Al?
And Jeff, do you hate Vince because his play is garbage or because he at one point associated with that bum of a running back the Bears used to have that came from the University of Texas.
September 10, 2008
#12 VA Jeff said . . .Animal.....you know how when your going through a very difficult time, it helps to know that others share in your struggle? Well, I am and have been in Fantasy Football Hell for the past 13 years and wouldn't you know it....Tom Brady was my #1 pick. Unfortunantly, I had the #1 pick overall and took Brady over LT....needless to say, draft night was up for grabs with everyone telling me what a mistake I made (even though he was our MVP last year). To answer your question, I also drafted Rivers so I guess that is my backup plan. We have no goood FA's available (Kitna) so I don't really have a choice. I know, that just like a bad beat in poker, no one really wants to hear the story but it makes me feel better to say it The following players have been my #1 draft pick over the years.
Emmit Smith - reigning MVP, NFL single season TD record (Broken neck week #1 against Da Bears)
Fred Taylor - Pro Bowl, Torn ACL Week #2
Javon Walker - Torn ACL in the first quarter of week#1
Shaun Alexander - Broken Foot Week #2
Dante Culpepper - Massive Knee Injury week 3 or 4
Tom Brady - 500 points, 200 more than next closest...torn ACL out for season6 of 13 years I have lost my #1 pick in the first 3 weeks of the season..Not only that, I have never won my league...I made it to the superbowl once and thought I had it won based on the ticker updates (Kordell Stewart 5 td's) at the Silverdome as I watched Jim Miller and the boys drop a bomb on the Lions on their way to a division title...unfortunantly, the ticker does not show interceptions....getting back to the car, turning on the radio (after i had been congratulated on the win) I hear that shithead Kordell also threw 5 ints (-15pts)
That is my story and it's 100% true.
September 10, 2008
#13 Max said . . .Hey Jeff, or anyone else who saw the game more than once.
I made a post questioning Orton's "tell" regarding audibles. I've been out of town all week and am curious if someone who has studied the game saw the same thing. Honestly this is more curiosity (trying t see if I had some drunken genious moment) or if I was just druknk. :)September 10, 2008
#14 Da Coach said . . .This is my daily "Fuck Moose" comment.
Bear Down
September 10, 2008
#15 JWilson said . . .Jeff great job your round the league we go post. Enjoyed getting a chance to read up on other teams. Thanks for making it easy.
If anyone checked out the Tavaris Jackson link the comment section of that article is great. A few viking fans are actually wishing Mike Tice was back at the reigns. I am glad they are suffering lets hope the colts keep it that way this week.
Pacman Jones is a complete disgrace I cannot stand anyone on that team and I am hoping badly that they get bounced in their first game of the playoffs again this year.
Shady your right about this weeks game, we need to shut down the run game and we should be in good shape as long as we dont turn it over. Delhomme is no Manning and if you take away his run game along with no Steve Smith you have a good recipe for disaster with him. Would love a 2-0 start without playing at home yet!
September 10, 2008
#16 Phillip from NYC said . . .Power rankings are crap always have been and always will be. They mean nothing, much like the BCS polls. In my eyes if a team is 0-1, they shouldn't be anywhere near the top 10. Tom Brady and the Pats are done! They'll be lucky to be in the top 20 this year. YAHOO!
September 10, 2008
#17 Shady said . . .It's Miller Time - Fred Miller is back.
September 10, 2008
#18 RandomName said . . .I'd rather start my day with a swift kick to the groin:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2008/09/bears_make_decision_its_miller.html
MMNNNOOOOO!!!!!
September 10, 2008
#19 RandomName said . . .what's wrong with Sinclair?
September 10, 2008
#20 Pissed Off said . . .*Cough cough* St. Clair *cough*
September 10, 2008
#21 Rancid said . . .Hey animal, I too drafted Brady with the #4 overall pick. I also drafted Kitna later and Pennington as my 17th man (something we do in our league). I've put in a request to pick up Cassel and drop Brady but he might not be starting all year and he's a piss poor consolation to Brady.
Sweet now Saloon Door Fred is back. Hey maybe he'll over acheive like some others on the O-line this year (so far) and be decent. I wonder if he decided to come back now that we won the 1st game and thought hey, we could make a run this year so I better join.
September 10, 2008
#22 Phillip from NYC said . . .The article doesn't mention who gets cut to make room for Freddo. If someone comes across it, post it. I'm not sure I think we needed to do this.
September 10, 2008
#23 Brad said . . .Rancid - Kirk Barton got waived to make room for him.
September 10, 2008
#24 Viva said . . .Didn't Kirk Barton supposedly show great promise? Why bring back Fred "Turnstile" Miller back? Clearly, the win over Indy has clouded the judgment.
September 10, 2008
#25 jeff said . . .Kirk Barton (OT, rookie 7th Round pick from Ohio State) was waived to make room for Miller. I hope they retain Barton to the Practice Squad if and when he clears waivers.
September 10, 2008
#26 Rancid said . . .they made the offer to fred miller before the indy game.
i say what i've said. i think this moveis only for depth reasons. nothing more.
September 10, 2008
#27 jeff said . . .You know what, on second thought, I don't care about this move. We just exchanged one backup OT for another. It's not like the D line where he's going to rotate in. Unless someone gets hurt we won't see him much. This is the kind of stuff we talk about during the offseason because there's nothing else to talk about. If he was going to start, that would be worth talking about. Hey, didn't we just beat the Colts?
September 10, 2008
#28 jeremy34 said . . .and i think it's a smart signing. specifically for these weeks before chris williams gets on the field.
September 10, 2008
#29 jeff said . . .To Tom Brady and the Patriots, karma is a bitch isn't it? You cheat for years, win a few superbowls, and your all star quarterback goes down week 1. Let's hope this is the start of their downfall...cheaters.
As for Colts, who we handed it to the other night, they are the closest thing to flag football that there is in the NFL, minus Bob Sanders. Rams are right up there but they are so bad you can't really consider them.
Raiders are a disgrace to the NFL. Herm Edwards is a terrible coach. I really over-estimated the Lions, and I am pretty sure we can get to Rodgers and T Jackson. Our biggest threat this year in the division and in the future is to stop Adrian Peterson, the best back in the league.
September 10, 2008
#30 Phillip from NYC said . . .you know what sucks? having the cubs and white so both in it becuase the chicago radio stations are not talking bears.
September 10, 2008
#31 mikebdot said . . .Jeff, I think instead of "Sucks" you mean "Holy Crap Total Fucking Awesomeness."
But seriously, a Cubs fan can take only so much losing in September.
September 10, 2008
#32 Gin said . . .VA jeff: I noticed the same thing, except I think the bigger tell has more to do with him pointing at the mike. He doesn't even make eye contact with the guy he is pointing to. Once again, I doubt the talking to everyone was anything more than switching up the run blocking scheme or changing the side of the play. Regardless, we ran the ball well a few times and got positive yardage on most plays.
What bothers me most about our running game is there always seemed to be one player that just wasn't doing his part that caused a 3 or 4 yard gain, rather than 10+. Clark had problems at times, Olsen, Kreutz, and I'm telling you, Garza. Look no further than 2nd down on the very first drive. He's all by himself out there, do nothing in particular. If you can't find a body to block, you have problems. When your linemen are literally standing around before the running back is on the ground, they are not doing their job. Kreutz has this problem a lot.
September 10, 2008
#33 animal said . . .Maybe it's good thing people aren't talking bears right now. Just let them do their thing. This is the first time since '92 that Chicago has 3 teams in First place. Enjoy it, though I hate the sox. Go twins
September 10, 2008
#34 Phillip from NYC said . . .Brian- what can I say but Holy Shit. Ill quit whining. Strange that we both also took Rivers, but man I don't like betting on that horse to carry me..
BrianSong- You must be kidding. I love KO, I am rooting for KO, but I do NOT play fantasy football with my heart and pick up Bears players any more. Last year I drafted.... wait for it.... are you sitting down?.... Cedric Benson. Ugh. KO is good for 150 yards 1td and 1 int on average this year. Not helpful in fantasy. (although I did roll the dice on Forte, thanks to the optimism abounding on THIS board. Thanks Jeff!!!!!!)
POd, you have Kitna to back him up- that's who Im going after. We will see how it works out.
Ill see how the waivers work out today...
September 10, 2008
#35 Tyger said . . .Also, Adewale is NFC Defensive Player of the week
September 10, 2008
#36 Pissed Off said . . .I really, really enjoyed this. Sure there were things I disagreed, but who would I be if I didn't disagree with something?
Anyway, job well done.
And yes, I'll admit: that's me told on this week's awesome win. Consider me ecstatic because it's one game I didn't expect them to win. Consider me reserved because I'm worried about... well, a lot of things still.
September 10, 2008
#37 Portugal Bear said . . .Touche Gin, yes go Twins!
September 10, 2008
#38 Portugal Bear said . . .Mike Francesca on Atlanta’s rushing attack last week: “Michael Turner ran for 200 yards against the Lions. Tina Turner coulda got 150.”
PRICELESS!!September 10, 2008
#39 Max said . . .(...)Mike Francesca on Atlanta’s rushing attack last week: “Michael Turner ran for 200 yards against the Lions. Tina Turner coulda got 150.” (...)
PRICELESS!!September 10, 2008
#40 Pankster in NC said . . .Screw Fred Miller
To hell with ESPN and the Patriots
And Fuck Moose
bear down
September 10, 2008
#41 KentuckyBearsFan said . . .Panthers by 3? they scored a td only at the end of the game all i say is BLITZ the shit out of delhomo the bojangles spokes bitch shut down run bury the moose
bear down !September 10, 2008
#42 Stay Healthy said . . .He's baaaaaccckk! Ha ha
"Griese gets starting nod over injured Garcia"
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3580133
September 10, 2008
#43 Nutjob said . . .Marques Colston WR of the Saints out 4-6 weeks after finger surgery. Nate Burleson out for the year. Merriman surgery out for the year. Vince Young going AWOL from the world. More O-linemen going down. I think the Jags lost 3 last week. Looked like maybe the Vikes and even the Pack had a player or 2 roughed up.
Go Bears. Stuff that run and get in Delhomme's face and we should be right in this one.
September 10, 2008
#44 zmac said . . .Peter King the only one from major pundits that have anything intelligent to say ranks the bears at 8 this week in his power rankings!! Finally some respect!!
September 10, 2008
#45 jeff said . . .Jeff, why do you root against SD?
September 10, 2008
#46 Al In WI said . . .because every year the world goes crazy telling me how they're the most talented team in football and because they fired marty schottenheimer for no reason.
i hate philly because they brag about an era of nfc dominance that put them in one, ONE super bowl and blew a million championship games in their own house.
September 10, 2008
#47 Al In WI said . . .Another reason to hate Philly is the cheap shot Douglas put on Jim Miller in 2001. I've hated that team ever since that game.
September 10, 2008
#48 jonatha said . . .Another reason to hate Philly is the cheap shot Douglas put on Jim Miller in 2001. I've hated that team ever since that game.
September 10, 2008
#49 Shady said . . .Very, very good article on the Bears defensive game-planning against Indy:
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/1152812,bowen090908.article
BEAR DOWN.
September 10, 2008
#50 Sacsac said . . .How can anyone be happy about the Fred Miller signing?
I mean, I can understand if you're not PISSED about it (I guess), but there is no way this move can be viewed as positive.
When asked about his health, Miller said he was about 40-50%, to which Lovie Smith scoffed and disagreed... Great.
And losing Kirk Barton? A fresh, young, HEALTHY backup with 100x more potential the Miller gets cut? Gimme a break. This signing is a sign of desperation from the Bears, I think they were better off keeping young talent with potential rather than trying to squeeze whatever is left out of an already washed up Fred Miller. Again, this is about as close as you can get to re-signing Adam Archuletta.
September 10, 2008
#51 zmac said . . .Del homo will get eaten by Ogunleye...
September 11, 2008
#45: I understand Philly, just not SD. I am a transplant... (I know I know) and the Bolts are my second team (DISTANT to the Bears). People around here think they fired Mary for very good reasons and do you not think they are pretty damn talented?
September 12, 2008
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.
