TUESDAY TALK
What to make of Week 4
The Jets are still a work in progress
After taking their show on the road with “Kid Sensation” we quickly found out the Jets aren’t quite ready for the main stage. Let’s not kick a man when’s he down, but after watching the Saints defense completely throttle the rookie quarterback (Sanchez) forcing four turnovers and recording four sacks, it’s easy to see the kid still has some work. In week 5 the tests don’t get much easier on Monday night before a national audience facing a Dolphin defense that is coming off six sack performance this past Sunday.
The Patriots are still part of the Equation
In a major league showdown with the AFC North Division leading Baltimore Ravens, Tom Brady and company quickly dispelled any notion that this bunch of Patriots is not ready for primetime. In a classic battle Brady used timely passes and his best weapon Randy Moss (3 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown) to get the job done. The win on Sunday elevated the Patriots to a first place tie with the Jets at 3-1. This Sunday Brady’s Bunch will take their game on the road and travel a mile high looking to continue to silence the critics.
Apparently the Broncos are not going quietly
Even after starting out 3-0 in decisive fashion over obvious inferior talent the Broncos were not going to get any credit for a job well done. Their impressive new look defense would still be called into question despite their stout play (16 points allowed). After Sunday’s victory over the Cowboys, a game in which the defense added five more sacks and two more takeaways; any more questions? There are still going to be many pessimists who won’t believe this book is as good as its’ cover, but one thing is certain the new Orange Crush defense is not going to go down quietly.
Looking under the microscope
Rice is Ready to cook
If you caught the action Monday night, not only did you see an aging veteran once again find the fountain of youth, but you saw a youngster starting to blossom into his own. Vikings receiver Sidney Rice was expected to make an impact almost as quickly as he arrived in the NFL, but the third year receiver’s development has come slowly. After a promising start as a rookie followed with showing fans very little in his sophomore sefourason, it suddenly appears Rice has arrived. His numbers have progressively gotten better each week and it’s no coincidence that Favre as he regains his form is starting to look to the kid more and more each week. Keep your eye on Sidney, cause this Rice is getting ready to cook!
Moreno is ready to breakout
After four games it has become more and more clearer rookie running back Knowshon Moreno is the future for the Bronco’s running game. In his first game this season Moreno gained just 19 yards, but in his last three he has averaged 76 yards and 17 carries. With Buckhalter going down with an ankle injury that could have him sidelined for a while, it looks like the future is now. Moreno is the more talented of all the Bronco’s back and has the greater upside, so it would make sense to see McDaniel’s feature the kid. Peyton Hillis has been a reliable back and could see a few more carries to spell the rookie, but it certainly looks like it the Moreno show for now.
More fantasy Notes
(IDP Special)
In the team’s first four games this season, the Bronco’s newly converted defensive end to linebacker Elvis Dummerville is having great success rushing the passer. Always a speed rusher on the edge, it appears from the upright position is just too great an advantage for Elvis. He leads the Bronco’s with 8 sacks and doesn’t look like he’ll be slowing down anytime soon.With two interceptions on Sunday against the Jets, Saints free safety Darren Sharper raised his season total to five. Sharper had one all of last season and his career high is nine back in 2005. The exceptional playmaking safety has already returned two for touchdowns tying a career high for a season.
On Monday night against the Packers, cornerback Antoine Winfield led all defensive players with 10 tackles. For the season Winfield has 28 total tackles second among all corners behind only the Titan’s Nick Harper. His 28 also rank second on the Vikings behind linebacker E.J. Henderson. Winfield in on pace to finish with over 100 tackles this season, something he’s done only once back in 2003 when he finished with 107.
By David Ortega
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