With two weeks gone by in the 2003 NFL season and after watching as many games as possible, I sure am glad it’s football season.
I like baseball just as much as the next guy, but absolutely nothing compares to football and its five months of excitement.
Through the first two weeks, there have been some major surprises and some major disappointments, and I would like to comment on them.
Priest Holmes is incredible. Some people were worried that his hip injury from last season might have a Bo Jackson-like effect on his career, but Holmes has taken those concerns and spiked them after he scored yet another touchdown.
The Patriots are probably going to really regret releasing Lawyer Milloy just so their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills, could pick him up. The Bills have looked spectacular so far, giving up only 10 points through two weekends, and Milloy has played a large part in the Bills revamped defense. Sam Adams and Takeo Spikes are the other studs on a dramatically improved defense.
Even though Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt is still an “idiot kicker” after questioning Peyton Manning’s attitude and killer instinct, he is an irreplaceable asset. Vanderjagt is 7-for-7 on the season, and scored all nine of the Colts points in week one, including the game winner.
After Jamal Lewis shredded the Cleveland Browns defense for an NFL record 295 yards on Sunday, I have two questions. Where the hell did that come from, and where the hell was the Cleveland defense?
Lewis is good, if not above average, but he is not the fastest guy, and he is only a year removed from ACL tear rehabilitation. Much props to Lewis for an unbelievable performance. The best part about the performance was Lewis predicted it would happen if he received 30 carries, the exact amount he got.
The Fun-n-Gun of Steve Spurrier may be catching on in the NFL. After the Redskins beat the Jets 16-13 in week one, Washington came right back and tore up a good Atlanta Falcons defense on its way to a 33-31 Redskins win. Former Tulane quarterback Patrick Ramsey threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while receiver Laveranues Coles hauled in 11 balls for 180 yards. Watch out for the Skins.
I feel sorry for Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who has zero playmakers to join him on Philadelphia’s offense. Put that together with a reeling defense, and things don’t look good in the city of brotherly love.
Obviously, other stuff is going on in the league, but these are just the things that jumped out at me.
And you know what the best part about it all is? There are still 15 weeks of regular season football left, plus the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Ain’t life grand?
Football finally in gear
September 15, 2003