The Hangover: Week 1

By Adam Cancryn

The first NFL Sunday of the 2011-12 season has come and gone. Is everyone full? Everybody happy? Save room for a double helping of Monday Night Football dessert? Good. Here at Began in '96, we couldn't get enough either, so we monitored every single Sept. 11 game and compiled assorted news, notes, observations and overreactions. Relive the games, catch up on the ones you missed and compile some talking points to impress everyone with when you go to work or school this week.

• The NFL isn't known for its subtlety, class or ability to do anything at a volume less than 10. So it was with good reason that there was some worry about the Sept. 11 commemorations planned across the country. However, even factoring in the inevitable overwrought Joe Buck voiceover, the remembrances were wonderful and well thought out. The ceremony at Soldier Field in Chicago struck a particularly emotional chord: 

• The NFL RedZone channel opened the gates to all Comcast subscribers for Week 1. An obvious, yet brilliant, marketing move. Once you've spent an NFL Sunday with access to every single game and no need to channel surf, it's incredibly hard to picture another weekend without it. Especially if you're like me, where the local game is the Redskins. 
• Kissing Suzy Kolber's Mike Tunison, a must follow on Twitter and fan of The Wire:  "Hey everybody, it's Omar and Carcetti. pic.twitter.com/PjVOe2v"
• Okay, haters of change. Your window for whining about the new kickoff rule has officially closed. That includes you, announcers who feel compelled to remind us of the enormous inconvenience those extra five yards have created during every kickoff. We won't know for a while whether it's a result of the rule change or just not having the preseason time to work on special teams, but kick returners are have not suffered one bit. The Vikings' Percy Harvin took the opening kick back for a touchdown, and we already saw a number of long run backs during the Saints-Packers game. In fact, on Sunday we saw three kicks returned for touchdowns, which ties for the most ever on opening weekend (1970 & 1998 are the others). So let's just drop it, okay? Okay. Moving on.
• Anyone else see the beginning of the Kansas City-Buffalo game? The pregame fireworks coated the field in white smoke. The wind-change specialist on that pyrotechnics unit is getting fired.
• More on the Ravens-Steelers beat down later, but Anquan Boldin gets his own bullet point.  Boldin seemed to fall out of the ranks of elite receivers last year, and I'm not sure exactly why. Let's not forget that while he was in Arizona, there was legitimate debate over whether he or Larry Fitzgerald was the top receiver. Look for Boldin to return as a top 10 wideout this year as the Ravens throw more and more and QB Joe Flacco improves. Four catches for 74 yards and a beautiful touchdown v. the Steelers, by the way.
• Kerry Collins was most definitely drunk this week. Sacked three minutes in, and then two fumbles. Get used to it, Indianapolis.
• A good point I read leading up to the Indy game was that not having Peyton Manning under center could expose just how average the Colts' line is. Manning has made up for his O-line with superb pocket presence and a quick release, but you get none of that with Kerry Collins, and it showed in Week 1.
• Love the Bills' white jerseys:

 

• Need a tight end for fantasy? Take a look at Buffalo's Scott Chandler. Don't worry, at 6'7" he's hard to miss. Chandler is starting for the first time after bouncing from San Diego (drafted 4th round in '07) to Dallas, to the Giants and then back to Dallas. Now he's with the Bills as Ryan Fitzpatrick's safety blanket, and it looks like he'll get plenty of opportunity to establish himself. Week 1 line: Five receptions, 63 yards and 2 TDs.
• Steven Jackson absolutely shredded the Philadelphia Eagles on the Rams' first drive. Philly took Week 1, but for all their upgrades, that linebacking corps is still suspect.
• Two years ago, Houston's Matt Schaub was on the precipice of becoming a top-five quarterback. He has a chance to return to form this year with defenses focused on Arian Foster and Co., but will need help from receivers other than Andre Johnson. This is a make-or-break year for Jacoby Jones.
• One of the most amazing things about Mike Vick's comeback is his improved accuracy. He's always had the arm strength and the mobility, but his accuracy is what's really put him over the top. Credit former Philadelphia QB coach (and W&L grad '96) James Urban for that. He might be the first coach to successfully convert a run-first quarterback into a top-five pocket passer (You could make a case for McNabb or Culpepper, but I always considered them more balanced; they never approached the rushing yardage Vick amassed in Atlanta). Urban is now the receivers coach in Cincinnati, but look for him to ascend to offensive coordinator in the next few years.
• This was Michael Vick's first opening day start for the Eagles.
• I've heard a number of people confuse Luke McCown with Cade McNown. Now look, this might be nitpicking, being that both are medicore-to-terrible QBs with no chance of succeeding long term in the league. But let's not insult McCown by mistaking him for a highly touted 12th overall draft pick that ended up the combination of Cutler's pout, Pennington's arm strength and JaMarcus Russell's accuracy.
• When McNown was drafted out of UCLA in 1999, people thought he could be the best lefty since Steve Young. Instead, he started his career by holding out, then benched himself during a December game v. the Rams and was gone in two years. Jim Miller came in and the Bears went 13-3 behind that Brian Urlacher-led defense.
• With Luke McCown's win this past Sunday, he now has one-third as many wins (1) as a Jaguar as Cade McNown had in his career (3).
• Given the lack of QB talent in the NFL, I would put Buffalo's Ryan Fitzpatrick in the top half of the league. His release is still too slow and he looks lost at times, but he's shown flashes of brilliance. He and wide receiver Stevie Johnson could become a great offensive partnership.
• Nobody takes a sack like Jay Cutler.
• Bengals-Browns: Based on Andy Dalton's first-half performance, it appeared Carson Palmer had seriously overplayed his hand. Now that Dalton's injured, maybe not so much. Still, I don't see the Bengals giving in to Palmer's demands. They'll stick with Gradkowski until Dalton gets back.
• Sure, the Texans look for real now. But we've said that each of the past five mediocre years under Gary Kubiak. Let's reserve judgment for a few more games.
• At one point during the Steelers-Ravens browbeating, Pittsburgh lined up in a five-wide, no back formation that put Roethlisberger under center. The O-line collapsed, and Ben had to rush his dropback and fired an incomplete pass. The next play, it's the same formation, except Roethlisberger is in the shotgun. He has five yards more worth of time and finds a receiver wide open in the back of the end zone. This is a small example why the spread formations have become so popular. Time is increasingly at a premium in this league.
• St. Louis' Sam Bradford could have a great season, but he needs some help from his receivers. Too many drops.
• Halfway point list- Most Exciting Teams to Watch (in order)
• Eagles- Obvious, there's so much intrigue here, plus Vick is electrifying
• Saints- Brees a master of pinpoint passing; you want offense, you'll get it here
• Chargers- Ton of pure athletes (Gates, V-Jackson, etc.) combined with smash mouth running, and seemingly always in the process of making a furious comeback
• Rams- Bradford could become Brees' heir, wide-open passing game
• Ravens- Have really opened up their play-calling of late, plus the defense is still a sight to behold
• Packers- Aaron Rodgers. Next.
• Cowboys- So many playmakers, so little chemistry. Either they jell this year, or devolve into a train wreck
• Lions- Stafford to Megatron on offense, Suh and Fairley are the future on D
• Bucs- Freeman and Blount have tremendous upside, but it's still early
• Least Exciting Teams to Watch (in order): Seahawks, 49ers, Dolphins, Bears, Chiefs, Browns, Cardinals, Giants, Redskins, Panthers
• When Ray Rice runs, he reminds me of Sonic the Hedgehog.

• Via NFL RedZone: It's been three years since the Colts were shut out in the first half of a game. 
• Via Pro-Football-Reference: It's been five games since Kerry Collins was shut out during the first half of a game (Dec. 5, 2010 v. Jacksonville) 
• KSK's Tunison:  "Simms: "I'll give NFL owners credit. Unlike other sports, they change rules to protect players and keep them safe." Nice company line, Phil."
• Just one example of the shillery coming from Giants great and announcing failure Phil Simms.
• Kansas City's Todd Haley could be on the hot seat real fast. If it was up to fantasy owners, he'd already be gone: 10 carries, 52 yards, 0 TDs for running back Jamaal Charles.
• Fifteen seconds left in the first half, and the Eagles are on the Rams' 16. They get penalized for delay of game. Andy Reid's time management is legendarily horrible. He's the Les Miles of the NFL.
• Mike Tomlin. Omar Epps. It's hard not to point it out every time.

• Don't conclude too much from the Week 1 blowouts, because you can't tell from one game whether one team was really good or the other team was just really bad, or whether it was a combination. That being said, conclude away when it comes to Ravens-Steelers. Baltimore is scary good.
• Via Twitter's @ravensfan40: "I'd almost feel bad for the Colts if they weren't a 1-man team that was stolen from my city and cheered on by bandwagon fans."
• Ravens beat Steelers, Colts get crushed. This was a doubly good day for the city of Baltimore.
• The Rams had the most hilariously panicked flea flicker in the second half v. the Eagles. It got the first down though, and you've gotta appreciate the stones it took to call it.
• Forget the NFL Skills Competition, let's organize an NFL track and field meet. The Devin Hester v. Chris Johnson v. Desean Jackson 100-yard dash would be epic.
• Titans fans, don't read too much into CJ's poor showing. His carries were limited, he had almost no preseason and he'll be back up to speed soon. You should be worried, however, about the prospect of Matt Hasselbeck throwing 30 times a game.
• In an NFL dunk contest, I take Detroit's Calvin Johnson every time.
• Some NFL analysts predicted the Falcons would regress this year. That certainly looks like a possibility, and if so it'll be all on the offensive line.
• Some stats from Steelers-Ravens:
• Ben Roethlisberger finished with a 52.9 passer rating, the 11th worst in his career. However, he's had two worse games v. Baltimore, both of which came in 2006.
• The Steelers committed seven turnovers, the 30th time that's happened in their history. It's the first time they've done it against Baltimore.
• With 35, the Ravens set a team record for points scored v. the Steelers.
• Solid win by Jacksonville, but not enough to make Jack Del Rio's job any more secure. His game management late was anything but inspiring, including electing to pass on a third-and-5 with two minutes left and a perfectly healthy Maurice Jones-Drew available to bleed the clock.
• Some good, mostly bad for the NY Giants in their embarrassing loss to the Redskins. 
• The good: The defensive front four is still fearsome, despite all the injuries. Keep in mind it's only the 'Skins, but credit strong drafting and great development and game planning.
• The bad: The secondary is horrible. Beyond horrible. They are sorely missing the four corners (Thomas, Johnson, Amukamara, Witherspoon) injured in the preseason, and based on past history those players still on the field are not likely to get much better.
• Eli Manning still throws heart-rending interceptions. These are picks that are batted in the air, tipped off receivers' hands, etc. and are a combination of poor awareness and subpar accuracy.
• Heart is an intangible that's mostly useless when trying to analyze a game from afar, but I can assure you that this week, the Giants did not have any of it. Once they went down 21-14, it was over.
• That said, slow your roll, Redskins fans. It's one win. Your QB is still Rex Grossman. I know it's a D.C./NoVA/Maryland tradition to predict a Super Bowl every year, but there's a long way to go, and that path goes through NY once more and Philly twice.
• Toothless offenses: Seahawks and 49ers. Can't score if you can't block.
• About that 100-yard dash from before? Add Ted Ginn in there. He put the team on his back.
• Keep an eye on Early Doucet out in Arizona. He's healthy, will get single coverage because of Larry Fitzgerald and appears to have a great rapport with Kevin Kolb.
• If the Chargers don't make the Super Bowl, Norv Turner takes it on the chin, and it'll be long overdue. The team is too talented to be falling behind the Vikings, and based on the interactions shown on TV between Phillip Rivers and Turner, there's no love lost there.
• Carolina's Cam Newton looked impressive in his debut (and in his touchdown celebrations), tying the all-time rookie record for passing yards with 422 and breaking the Week 1 record. Previous record holder? Peyton Manning.
• Newton reminds me of Vince Young, and I swear that's a good thing. Their throwing motions look very similar, but Newton's is much quicker and much, much more accurate.
• Donovan McNabb finished the game v. the Chargers with 39 passing yards. The Vikings will go as far as running back Adrian Peterson takes them, and only that far. 
• Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant's catch radius is huge. I'd put it a tier below Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson, and Bryant could easily move up as the season progresses.
• Chris Collinsworth is easily impressed.
• Cornerback Antonio Cromartie was in for an offensive play toward the end of the first half of Jets-Cowboys, per Star-Ledger reporter Jenny Vrentas. Who knows why.
• Iconic pre-game image of Rex Ryan:

• Jets threw a disproportionate amount v. the Cowboys, but I wouldn't expect that to continue. Dallas has an extremely weak secondary on paper, and NY likely wanted to take advantage of that. Look for a more even split going forward.
• It took three-and-a-half quarters, but the old Tony Romo finally showed up, and not a minute too soon for the Jets.
• Too bad the old Sanchez also made an appearance seconds later.
• Tweet from Esquire's Chris Jones sums it up, soon after a blocked punt TD to tie the game at 24: "The Jets might actually stand a better chance of winning if their offense never takes the field."
• In a seesaw game between two promising teams with some kinks to work out, fitting that the definitive play comes from the best player on the field. Jets 27, Cowboys 24.

That's all folks, thanks for sticking with it. Great opening weekend for football, enjoy Pats-Dolphins and Broncs-Raiders tonight.