Tuesday, November 03, 2009

It's time to dish out some extra credit.

Falcons@ Saints (27-35): Well, I made a mistake. I took the Falcons. It seems going against the Saints is a bad idea lately. But not for long I think. Last week I took the Dolphins to beat them, and if it wasn't for a poor timeout decision right before halftime and then some bizarre playcalling decisions in the second half, they would have. This week 7 points separated the Falcons from a tie game. And so if Ryan hadn't thrown that pick six, it might have been a very different result. Yes the Saints won, but don't count on them to keep this up all season. The last few games they've come up quite lucky against teams that you wouldn't exactly call stellar. Expect a loss soon. So thanks to Brees and co. I'm now 8-5 this week. Bad, but still a winner overall. Time I think to dish out some extra credit: -- Ryan Moats (Broncos): For snapping up the chance to step into Houstons backfield. Went for 126 yds of 23 carries, with 3 TD's to boot. Nice work. -- Jairus Byrd (Bills): Another 2 interceptions this week for the Bills safety. Keeps playing well and making plays despite the abysmal lack of talent around him. I've always believed that shining on a good team is easy, shining on a bad one takes real talent. -- The Fans (Browns): For travelling to Chicago and paying to watch their awful team go about it's business. I don't know how they do it, but they do, and for that they are probably the most deserving of this weeks extra credit. -- Brett Ratliff (Browns): For not speaking out in the press against his coaches for not playing him. He may not have even started a game yet in the NFL, but he sure as hell can't be worse than Anderson or Quinn. -- Sam Hurd (Cowboys): While Miles Austin has established himself as the number 1 receiver and reaps all the credit, Hurd is quietly going about his business as the number three receiver. Only had one catch in the game against Seattle, but he took it 36 yds for a TD. -- Patrick Crayton (Cowboys): Doesn't seem to feature much in the pass game anymore, but credit to him for giving his special teams role the maximum effort and coming up with another special teams TD this week. -- Ted Ginn Jr. (Dolphins): 2 kickoff returns for TD's; one of 100 yds, the other of 101 yds. The guy has some class moves and is pretty tough for a wideout. Made a huge impact in his teams win against the Jets. -- The Defence (49'ers): Didn't give up a rushing touchdown and only conceded an aerial one when the Colts ran a trick play with Addai throwing to Reggie Wayne. That's a tough task against any team, let alone the Colts. More power to them. -- Donovan McNabb (Eagles): After two weeks of mediocrity, he hit back with 17/23 for 240 yds and 3 TD's versus the Giants. That's the kind of form the Eagles need from him every week if they're going to make it in the postseason this year. -- DeSean Jackson (Eagles): Only had three catches, but managed to squeeze 78 yds and a TD out of them. -- LeSean McCoy (Eagles): 11 carries is usually nothing for a RB, the kind of work you give to a second string complimentary back. McCoy used his to go 82 yds and notch up a TD. Look for the Eagles to snap up any rookie in next years draft with the word 'Sean' in his first name. -- Leonard Weaver (Eagles): Fullbacks seem to be a dying breed in the NFL of late. Shame. But Weaver doesn't care, that's why he went for 75 yds and a TD on his 8 carries. -- Chris Johnson (Titans): 24 carries, 228 yds and 2 TD's. That's a mean afternoons work and the Titans are gonna need more of that if they want to put some more numbers in the win coloumn. -- Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars): How can you not sympathise with the guy? He takes just 8 carries and turns them into 177 yds and 2 TD's. Not only does this not win his team the game, but he gets outshone in the running stakes by Chris Johnson! Don't worry though Maurice, I'm more impressed with your tally simple because of the lower number of carries. Must be hard to be this good and still have to watch your team throw the ball 27 times, completeing just 14 and throwing two picks. This man is the future of the franchise. -- David Garrad (Jaguars): Based on my comments above you'll probably find this strange. But the fact is on one of Jones-Drew's runs he managed to sprint down the field, overtake his RB and then block a guy backwards into the endzone to finish the score. That's determination and effort that will sit well with his team mates. If only more players were this driven. -- Brett Favre (Vikings): No one in the league is playing on Favres level right now. The fact he's 40 makes this all the more amazing. Completed 17/28 passes, for 244 yds and 4 TD's, no INT's. In a bizarre twist this season, Favre is the guy taking centre stage, with Peterson as his back up. And I can only think of one word to describe him right now; legendary. -- Aaron Rodgers (Packers): Went 26/41 passing, for 287 yds and 3 TD's with no INT's. In addition he led his team in rushing with 5 carries for 52 yds. Tries as hard as anyone in the league but can do it all alone. He needs some more work from his offensive line and in the draft the Packers need to go and get a great RB to take some of the load. -- Jared Allen (Vikings): 5 tackles, 3 sacks. Allen is a beast that is feeding off opposition QB's (mainly Rodgers). With Linebacker Chad Greenway and Cornerback Antoine Winfield (when he returns) this defensive unit is looking mean. Dare I say it, Superbowl mean? We'll see. -- DeAngelo Williams (Panthers): After a no doubt frustrating wait, Williams finally gets a game where he gets 23 carries, and he duly converted them into 158 yds. No touchdowns, but then that is what Jonathan Stewart is for. -- Jonathan Stewart (Panthers): Must have been amazed to have been given the ball 17 times. He only managed 87 yds (only?!) but also picked up 2 TD's to help the Panthers overcome a usually stout Cardinals D. Must have something to do with Warners 5 INT's.

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