First TRUE Football Weekend

Finally. A word that can be used out of context and often times used in exaggeration. I think I speak for all of us when I say 'FINALLY' sums up exactly what we've been thinking in terms of American Football.

Georgia started the season ranked number one. No problem, except that due to multiple injuries, and a few off-the-field issues, a lot of people figured it'd be just a matter of time before the got dismantled. Oh, and that whole thing called the SEC, and how they have to play in it. So why in the hell are/were people making a fuss about it? I can understand, that they won their first game. So did USC, right? So when USC passed them before this weekend, although both of them were victorious in their first games, why is that a problem?

It's not. Plain and simple. If there IS a problem with it, then everyone should go to bed without a concern when reminded the polls are simply a 'What Have You Done for Me Lately?' Let's go ahead and say USC loses to Ohio State this week. So, they tumble down the rankings, probably still sitting within the Top Ten. If they win out, they'll climb. Ohio State goes ahead, and plays a fantastic season. BUT they run into a problem. Maybe the drop one to Wisconsin, who's also ranked. The fact that they both lost to ranked teams, despite how high they are or not, USC will get voted #1 before Ohio State will. Because that Buckeye loss is fresh in their memory, while the Trojan loss to OSU will just be a cliff note.


Brigham Young, a team that a large group of media outlets are choosing to be a BCS buster, traveled to Washington this weekend. Many people thought that they might roll over Ty Willingham's team, but the Huskies and most people who know the make-up of their offense would disagree. Well, besides the Washington defense playing well, the whole team stepped up against a ranked opponent, conference means nothing.

After allowing the Cougars to come back, Washington led down the field in an incredible drive led by Husky Quarterback Jake Locker. With under 5 seconds remaining, Locker ran in for a dramatic touchdown to come within one of a tie. What does a young kid do after bringing his team back in front of his home fans do? Toss the ball and celebrate like it's 1999. Problem is, he caused an infraction by throwing the ball after a touchdown, receiving an unsportsman-like conduct penalty, making the PAT a 35 yard field goal. Fate has it, and the Cougars block the extra point, and win the game.

Dissapointing, but rules are rules. It's wrong to cheat on your girlfriend right? Let's say Wife, for this argument's sake. Basic, even crappy morals, stand that you shouldn't cheat. So just because you took a great oppurtunity and got a chance to cheat, and you did, even with a smile; does that make it right? No. Well, that might have been a stretch, but the point still stands, he broke a rule; as bad or as stupid of a rule it may be. Someone said, and I can't remember because it was late and I was driving home when I heard it, 'You can't play the game of football without emotion.' Locker is human, and reacted as such. It's a shame.

On a quick side note, Jake Locker was referred to as the 'Tim Tebow of the West' early in his career. He'll turn out better than Tebow, and here's why. Why he may not be as 'durable,' although that's still untested, he's a faster runner. His passes have more zip. More importantly, and a factor that ANY NFL team would scout either with this concern, is that he is right handed. Left-handed quarterbacks CAN be effective in the NFL, but usually it's bound on how good your Right Tackle is. If a franchise has just retired, or has an aging Hall of Fame quarterback, who's right handed, chances are they have a top notch Left Tackle. Not that it wouldn't help, but if you draft Tim Tebow, you now have to sure up his backside, which means 'rebuilding' your offensive line preference. Taking that much 'insurance' on a quarterback is hard for teams to do, especially when someone like Tebow could go down for his career in just one play. Locker doesn't pose that threat for an NFL franchise in that situation.


This weekend in the NFL seemed to be marked by a ton of rookies and a ton of veterans returning from injury. Some key players, rookie wise, would include Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Matt Forte. Those vets? Try Donovan McNabb, Marc Bulger, Jake Delhomme and Marvin Harrison.

- Joe Flacco proved that he can certainly handle the goal. It was obvious they were trying to keep him from having to make hard throws, and despite his low yardage numbers, is efficiency would be that expected of a rookie. The Bengal defense may also play into that as well. The Ravens clearly set their goal, that they're going to pound the ball and play great defense, then again, that isn't 'news' in Baltimore. Oh yea, and a 38 yard touchdown run. Damn!

- His first pass and completion went for a touchdown. This guy could retire now, and have had a 'helluva' career. He'd only pass 11 more times the entire game, and in all completed 9 of them. 75% is 75%, and although he may not have had a HUGE performance, his confidence is in the right step. EXACTLY what the Atlanta Falcons ordered.

- Matt Forte. 22 carries for 73 yards. Sounds like a good game to me, especially for a rookie. Even add his 3 receptions for 18 yards, important as well. Other than the recieving yards, those stats are false. He had one other carry; a 50 yarder for a touchdown. 23 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. He didn't win the game for them, as it turns out down the stretch. But if he doesn't do that, the Bears don't 'Punch' the Colts in the face, and I don't think win the game.

- McNabb, McNabb....McNabb. Try 275 yards in the first half. He definetely answered the critics, and showed GREAT poise in the pocket, even moving around like he never had that injury.

- Bulger didn't have quite the game, but to his credit, he played one of the best defenses in the league. Stephen Jackson didn't do him any favors either. I really don't think that he has a chance at really getting back to form, and he doesn't have the security that he had with Isaac Bruce.

- Delhomme threw the ball a lot, and despite just an 'okay' completion percentage, he still kept the ball away from the Chargers. He didn't have a touchdown for 59 minutes and about 59 seconds. He finally connected for a touchdown to Donte Rosario to win the game .

- After an injury-proned 2007, and an offseason with a couple of off-the-field issues. He was a presence on offense, and managed to pull in 8 receptions for 76 yards. A nice outing for an offense smothered by the Bears.