September 20th, 2011, Tuesday
What to Make of It
We are two weeks into the 2011 NFL season and what we can make of what’s it going on; there’s been more air time already this season in the NFL than most frequent flyers see with Southwest Airlines. To say that the league has become pass happy could be an understatement with the recent record setting numbers we have been seeing. Already in the first two weeks, the NFL has set the record for the most combined net passing yards in one weekend; in week one the record was set with nearly 8,000 yards and this past weekend that record was broke.
It’s been an amazing ride thus far, but from what we are seeing there doesn’t appear to be any signs of slowing down or coming down. With Tom Brady and Cam Newton leading the way and setting the pace, 2011 has truly become the year of the quarterback.
Fact or Fiction
Well, the high flying numbers seem to be all well and good, but what does this all seem to be saying and telling us? Can the incredible numbers we are seeing from some of today’s passers be mis-leading or are they giving it to us straight?
Newton’s Rise to the Top: Fiction
Cam Newton’s first two NFL starts would indicate his sudden rise to stardom and elite status, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. While his 854 yards of passing are quite hefty and impressive and his 16 pass plays of 20 yards or more lead the league, let’s not overlook his four interceptions (tied for most in the league) and eight sacks (fourth most). With those numbers, you have to wonder how long can he continue this pace or last in the pocket for that matter.
Tom Brady is Terrific: Fact
Only Cam Newton has more pass plays of 20 yards or more, Brady’s 15 rank second in the league. The Patriot’s signal caller has already passed for 940 yards in just two games and his 128.0 passer rating is off the charts. With seven touchdown passes to just one pick, Tom Brady is already locking down votes for this season’s MVP.
Hasselbeck has New Life: Fact
With a rising star wide receiver (Kenny Britt) and the sure handed Nate Washington to throw to, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck appears to have found the fountain of youth. In his first two starts for the Titans this season Hass has completed 67% of his throws and passed for over 600 yards. He is currently sporting a solid 94.0 passer rating and his 8 pass plays for 20 yards or more in two games put him on pace for more than 60 this season; by far it would be the most of his career.
Jackson is the Answer in Seattle: Fiction
So far in 2011, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has not been the answer for the Seahawks offense. In two games he has yet to be able to generate any kind of semblance of an offense or passing game. Jackson has thrown just two touchdowns this season while completing 62% of his passes, but his one pass play for 20 yards or more this season ranks near the bottom of the league. Only the Chiefs offense looks worse at this time.
Cassel is safe in KC: Fiction
There’s been not talk of or hint for that matter, but not only does it seem that Cassel could be losing his grip on the offense and the Chiefs passing game; just one touchdown pass this season with five turnovers, but he could soon lose the confidence of his team if things don’t change suddenly. It’s bad in KC right now, with the team being outscored 89-10 in two games not only should Cassel worry about keeping his job, but head coach Todd Haley could be on his way to the unemployment line if things don’t improve quickly. To say it will be an uphill challenge is an understatement with the recent loss of running back Jamaal Charles (torn ACL). When it rains, it pours.
By the Numbers
David Nelson could soon become a household name in the NFL. In the past two weeks the Bills 2nd year receiver has grabbed 14 passes on 19 targets. With Fitzpatrick playing as well as he has, don’t expect Nelson to cool down anytime soon.
As hot as Tom Brady has been the first two weeks this season, it seems the Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been unjustly overshadowed. Fitz has been every bit as good throwing seven touchdowns with just one pick. His yardage is a couple of weeks behind, but we’ll take his TD-Int ratio anyday.
He may be just a rookie, but Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has been solid in his first two starts passing for more than 400 yards, completing 66% of his throws, and tossing three touchdowns with zero interceptions. 16 games is a long season, but this is a great start for the young gun.
You could say that Bears running back Matt Forte is having a good start this season, but I would argue he’s off to a great start. Forte is averaging 20 touches per game and 150 yards from scrimmage. He has also become a beast in the short passing game racking up 15 receptions with a score. He is putting up Marshall Faulk-like numbers; he just needs to add a few more trips to the end-zone to really kick up that kind of talk.
By David Ortega
TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK
We are two weeks into the 2011 NFL season and what we can make of what’s it going on; there’s been more air time already this season in the NFL than most frequent flyers see with Southwest Airlines. To say that the league has become pass happy could be an understatement with the recent record setting numbers we have been seeing. Already in the first two weeks, the NFL has set the record for the most combined net passing yards in one weekend; in week one the record was set with nearly 8,000 yards and this past weekend that record was broke.
It’s been an amazing ride thus far, but from what we are seeing there doesn’t appear to be any signs of slowing down or coming down. With Tom Brady and Cam Newton leading the way and setting the pace, 2011 has truly become the year of the quarterback.
Fact or Fiction
Well, the high flying numbers seem to be all well and good, but what does this all seem to be saying and telling us? Can the incredible numbers we are seeing from some of today’s passers be mis-leading or are they giving it to us straight?
Newton’s Rise to the Top: Fiction
Cam Newton’s first two NFL starts would indicate his sudden rise to stardom and elite status, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. While his 854 yards of passing are quite hefty and impressive and his 16 pass plays of 20 yards or more lead the league, let’s not overlook his four interceptions (tied for most in the league) and eight sacks (fourth most). With those numbers, you have to wonder how long can he continue this pace or last in the pocket for that matter.
Tom Brady is Terrific: Fact
Only Cam Newton has more pass plays of 20 yards or more, Brady’s 15 rank second in the league. The Patriot’s signal caller has already passed for 940 yards in just two games and his 128.0 passer rating is off the charts. With seven touchdown passes to just one pick, Tom Brady is already locking down votes for this season’s MVP.
Hasselbeck has New Life: Fact
With a rising star wide receiver (Kenny Britt) and the sure handed Nate Washington to throw to, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck appears to have found the fountain of youth. In his first two starts for the Titans this season Hass has completed 67% of his throws and passed for over 600 yards. He is currently sporting a solid 94.0 passer rating and his 8 pass plays for 20 yards or more in two games put him on pace for more than 60 this season; by far it would be the most of his career.
Jackson is the Answer in Seattle: Fiction
So far in 2011, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has not been the answer for the Seahawks offense. In two games he has yet to be able to generate any kind of semblance of an offense or passing game. Jackson has thrown just two touchdowns this season while completing 62% of his passes, but his one pass play for 20 yards or more this season ranks near the bottom of the league. Only the Chiefs offense looks worse at this time.
Cassel is safe in KC: Fiction
There’s been not talk of or hint for that matter, but not only does it seem that Cassel could be losing his grip on the offense and the Chiefs passing game; just one touchdown pass this season with five turnovers, but he could soon lose the confidence of his team if things don’t change suddenly. It’s bad in KC right now, with the team being outscored 89-10 in two games not only should Cassel worry about keeping his job, but head coach Todd Haley could be on his way to the unemployment line if things don’t improve quickly. To say it will be an uphill challenge is an understatement with the recent loss of running back Jamaal Charles (torn ACL). When it rains, it pours.
By the Numbers
David Nelson could soon become a household name in the NFL. In the past two weeks the Bills 2nd year receiver has grabbed 14 passes on 19 targets. With Fitzpatrick playing as well as he has, don’t expect Nelson to cool down anytime soon.
As hot as Tom Brady has been the first two weeks this season, it seems the Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been unjustly overshadowed. Fitz has been every bit as good throwing seven touchdowns with just one pick. His yardage is a couple of weeks behind, but we’ll take his TD-Int ratio anyday.
He may be just a rookie, but Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has been solid in his first two starts passing for more than 400 yards, completing 66% of his throws, and tossing three touchdowns with zero interceptions. 16 games is a long season, but this is a great start for the young gun.
You could say that Bears running back Matt Forte is having a good start this season, but I would argue he’s off to a great start. Forte is averaging 20 touches per game and 150 yards from scrimmage. He has also become a beast in the short passing game racking up 15 receptions with a score. He is putting up Marshall Faulk-like numbers; he just needs to add a few more trips to the end-zone to really kick up that kind of talk.
By David Ortega
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