Bump and Run Players of the Week

On the offensive side of the ball, Brady said, “Oh you threw 4 TD’s, well I am going to throw 5. In a quarter.”  And defensively it’s quickly becoming the season of Jared Allen. Here are this week’s Bump and Run Players of the Week:

Offense

DeAngelo Williams: Williams ran out of his slump against the Bucs defense on Sunday.  The Panthers ran for over 260 yards, Williams accounted for 152 yards on 30 carries and added 2 TD’s, including the game winner with under 30 seconds remaining.  Williams = 1 point.

Matt Schaub: Schaub’s performance on Sunday was awesome.  He torched the Bengals secondary, going 28-40 for 392 yards and 4 TD’s in the 28-17 victory.  The Texans are two 4^th and goal’s from the one from possibly being 5-1.  If Schaub can keep this up they will sneak in the playoffs.  Schaub = 2 points.

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Defense the Difference in New Orleans, Denver

Two teams that have struggled on defense in years past are making a statement so far this season and it currently has both teams undefeated.  These two teams are being led by new defensive coordinators.  In addition to that they both signed veteran free agent safeties in the off-season that have done more than their share through five weeks.  The fans at the Superdome and INVESCO Field could not be happier. 

The New Orleans Saints the last few seasons have had one of the better offenses in the league and their defense held them back.  Enter Gregg Williams and Darren Sharper.  By implementing Williams’ aggressive style, the Saints are 7^th in the league in points per game against, 7^th in the league in rushing defense and 11^th in passing defense per game.  Those numbers are unheard of in New Orleans over the last few seasons. 

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Bump and Run Players of the Week

A career week for a couple WR’s and the quarterback who was an afterthought in an off-season trade top this week’s Bump and Run Players of the Week: 

Offense

4. Cedric Benson: He became the first running back in almost three years to top the 100 yard mark against the Ravens D.  Benson kept the Bengals in the game all day, allowing Carson Palmer to lead the game winning drive in the final minutes.  He carried the ball 27 times for 120 yards and a TD. Benson = 1 point.

3. Miles Austin: The Cowboys wide receiver stepped up huge as he filled in for Roy Williams.  Austin set a franchise record with 250 receiving yards on 10 catches.  He also had 2 TD’s, including the game winner in OT to beat the Chiefs. Austin = 2 points.

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Bump and Run Breaking News–Braylon and Crabtree

Braylon has been traded to the J-E-T-S and Michael Crabtree finally signs with the Niners, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer. Wow!

Braylon Edwards has been traded to the New York Jets for a couple of players and draft picks.  Edwards wanted out in the offseason and now he finally gets his wish.  If he decides to get his head straight, he gives the Jets a great 1-2 combo with Cotchery in the passing game.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes him to settle into his new home. 

And on the West coast, Michael Crabtree has decided that he doesn’t hate money.  He signs a 6-year deal, which can be voided after the 5th year if he reaches certain performance clauses.  I can’t help but wonder if this deal would have gotten done if San Fran was 1-3 rather than 3-1.

Impact Faces: First Quarter Grades

Prior to the season we commented on players and their new teams heading into the season.  Now that we are through the first quarter of the season, we would like to look at how those players have performed to date as well as a few others worthy of mention. The grade is based on stats and overall impact on the team.  Here we go:

Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills: Through 4 games, T.O. has 8 catches for 158 yards and 1 TD.  While the average yards per catch is nice, the number of catches just isn’t there.  The Bills are 1-3 and it seems like an implosion is on the horizon.   Grade: D

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears: Following the opening game debacle at Green Bay, Cutler has settled into his new team.  He is earning his teammates respect, a perfect example was his rushing TD Sunday against the Lions as he launched himself into the endzone.  Not putting up great numbers, but is sacrificing numbers to win games.  Has completed 64.3% of his passes for 901 yards, 8 TD’s and 5 INT’s. Grade: B

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Bump and Run Players of the Week

Week 4 was filled with big games and many went down to the wire.  The reigning MVP continues to make his case for yet another award and a young superstar comes to play each and every week on the West coast. That and more in this week’s Bump and Run Players of the Week:

Offense

4. Ronnie Brown: This guy has been flat out awesome all season for the Dolphins, however it hadn’t resulted in a victory until Sunday.  The leader of the Wildcat formation does it all, running to the inside or outside.  Sunday against the Bills he finished with 20 carries, for 115 yards and 2 TD’s.  Brown = 1 points.

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From One Chad to the Next…Or Not

On Sunday afternoon, the season and potentially career ended for one of the most underrated QB’s in NFL history.  Chad Pennington was put on IR today by the Miami Dolphins due to a torn capsule in his right shoulder.  This will be Pennington’s third surgery on his right shoulder and might force the quarterback into retirement.

Pennington, who is one of the great guys in the NFL, also is the most accurate QB in NFL history.  He never had a laser for an arm, but was always able to put a great touch on the ball to complete passes.  The ball just seemed to float into the receiver, and it always drove opposing fans and players crazy as they were left wondering how they weren’t able to get to the ball.  As a Dolphins fan, I have witnessed both sides of Pennington.  I have been driven crazy by the Fins defense not getting to the ball when he was the field general for the Jets and then last season fully appreciating his abilities as he led the Dolphins from a 1-15 season to an 11-5 season and an AFC East Division title.

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Bump and Run Players of the Week

An MVP QB is making his case for yet another, and a young WR is quickly becoming one of the best in the game.  That and more in this week’s Bump and Run Players of the Week.

Offense

4. Pierre Thomas: The Saints went into halftime against the Bills in a tight game.  Thomas came out in his first action of the year and was a force in the second half as the Saints broke it open.  Today it wasn’t Drew Brees’ day and Thomas made things happen.  Pierre finished with 14 carries for 126 yards and 2 TD’s. Thomas = 1 point.

3. DeSean Jackson: This dude is one of the fastest guys I have ever seen with the ball in his hands.  Whenever he touches the ball he can go the distance.  He torched the Chiefs secondary this week, making big catch after big catch.  He caught 6 balls for 149 yards and 1 TD. Jackson = 2 points.

2. Brett Favre: The HOF QB stepped up his game this week after being doubted by some members of the national media.  Favre made the plays as AP was getting stopped in his tracks by the 49ers D.  He led a great game winning drive, as he threw an unbelievable pass to the back of the end zone where Greg Lewis made an even more unbelievable catch for the victory.  Final numbers: 24-46, 301 yards and 2 TD’s. Favre = 3 points.

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Auditioning for a Back-up Role?

After two weeks of the season the Washington Redskins organization appears to be a mess.  The home crowd booed them off the field, the players are complaining about getting booed rather than focusing on the Lions and Jim Zorn is fielding questions about his job.  When Zorn’s fate comes up, so does that of his quarterback.  Most people believe that Jim Zorn and Jason Campbell are a package deal, if one goes they are both gone. 

While they both might be gone come season end, I do not believe Zorn’s job hinges on Campbell’s success.  Zorn did not pick Jason to be his QB, he is playing the hand he was dealt.  If in fact his job is tied to Campbell’s he should pack his bags already because Jason is gone at the end of the season.  The writing has been on the wall since overtures were made for Jay Cutler and an attempt to trade up to draft Mark Sanchez.  Jason Campbell in effect has 14 games at most remaining as a Redskin and a starting QB in the league.

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Bump and Run Players of the Week

Week 2 of the NFL season included a number of down to the wire, exciting games.  Key players stepped up with great individual performances. With that in mind here are our players of the week.

Offense

4. Kurt Warner: In the past when the Cardinals traveled to the east coast it has been a recipe for disaster.  However Kurt Warner put up a great performance leading the Cardinals to the rare east coast victory.  Warner went 24-26, for 243 yards and 2 TD’s and helped Arizona rebound from a tough Week 1 loss. Warner = 1 point.

3. Andre Johnson: The Texans offense decided to wake up in Week 2 following their Week 1 nap.  They were led by Johnson.  This guy has the best hands in football.  He catches everything thrown his way and helped lead the Texans to a bounce back victory.  He finished the day with 10 catches for 149 yards and 2 TD’s. AJ = 2 points.

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