10 Things Learned in Week 1

Photo Credit: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2012/football/nfl/08/20/Miami-Dolphins-Ryan-Tannehill.ap/Ryan-Tannehill-1.jpg

1.) The Dolphins offense has mono: Ryan Tannehill had a rough day in his NFL debut, throwing three interceptions – all of which were tipped at the line of scrimmage. Not only does their first round franchise quarterback have terrible depth perception, but he has nobody to pass it to if he does find a pocket to throw it to. The Dolphins running game wasn’t horrible as Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas combined for 80 yards on the ground. The only problem is with a passing game whose go to receiver is Devon Bess and has Ryan Tannehill taking snaps, having only 80 yards on the ground is going to lose them a lot of games. It sounds weird actually seeing it on paper, but they may miss not starting Matt Moore.

2.) New England is not the same team as last year: New England’s achilles heel last season was an astounding lack of a pass rush. Sure, Vince Wilfork did his thing on the interior clogging up the holes, but that did not stop quarterbacks from having all-day to find a receiver – just ask Eli Manning. With the addition of first round picks Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots now have the ability to control the trenches on defense, which allows Jerod Mayo, Patrick Chung, and Devin McCourty to fly around the field and make big hits leading to big turnovers. If the Patriot defense can be come opportunistic along the lines of New Orleans on the championship run, they are early favorite in the AFC.

3.) Green Bay is the same team as last year: Green Bay was far and away the most dominant regular season team in the NFL last season. As we have come to see in the past few years, that does not always lead to post season success. The cause for Green Bay’s early departure from the playoffs at the hands of the Giants was two fold; their inability to control the trenches on either side of the football and their inability to establish any semblance of a running game. The Packers spent their first six picks on the defensive end of the ball, creating depth for a defense which has had trouble staying healthy over the past few seasons. Will those picks step in and make immediate impact against the best in the league? We will talk about that next. With the addition of Cedric Benson, many believed that the James Starks/Ryan Grant tandem of inadequacy was over and he would fit in like Corey Dillon did in his first year with the Patriots. After watching Sunday’s game, he seems to be washed up.

4.) The 49ers are really good: So how did the Packers new defensive additions look against one of the best teams in the league? Over- matched and outclassed. The 49ers offensive and defensive front towered over their Packer counterparts, which led to San Fransisco getting anything they wanted on either side of the field. The entire defense played masterfully against the NFL’s best maestro – negating any shortcomings in the secondary by making them cover for short amounts of time because their pass rush was rushing Rodgers into quick decisions. On the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers have the most talent around Alex Smith in his eight seasons at the helm. Mario Manningham and Randy Moss are noticeable upgrades at the second and third wide receiver position and they have an embarrassment of riches in running back depth with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Brandon Jacobs, and LaMichael James.

5.) Michael Vick is no longer an elite player: This may not be a news flash to everyone, but Michael Vick is no longer a top notch NFL quarterback, even if he is getting paid like one. The thing that always stood out of Vick was his versatility, but in the opening match up against the Browns, Vick seemed afraid to exit the pocket – and inside the pocket he is a below-average passer. Much of the blame could be put on Andy Reid for making Vick throw the ball 56 times all while Shady McCoy averaged 5.1 yards per carry over twenty carries. Vick can still be effective, but he cannot be the focal point of this offense if the Eagles have any chance of getting to the playoffs.

6.) Peyton Manning might be back: It is easy to look at Manning’s numbers to point this out, but what was more interesting to me was the way he thoroughly impressed his own teammates. A good example of this was the before and after interaction between Manning and Eric Decker on Demaryius Thomas’ 71 yard touchdown. My guess at how the conversation went:

Manning: Eric, don’t even run your route, just immediately crack the cornerback on the outside and get out of the way.
Decker: Are you serious? What, are you going to do, run it?
Manning: Do I fucking look like Tim Tebow? Just do it. (Death stare)
Decker: Alright, fine.
(Thomas steaks for the touchdown)
Decker: Holy shit, I can’t believe that worked.
Manning: Did I mention I’m not Tim Tebow?

7.) Oakland’s offense is Darren McFadden: While Carson Palmer may have been an upgrade from Jason Campbell, the Raiders still don’t seem to have any offense that doesn’t involve Darren McFadden. Not only was he Oakland’s rushing leader, he was also their leader in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Hell, they might want to think of hiring coach Yoast as their defensive coordinator, just so McFadden can play corner back too. Raider nation better pray this is the season McFadden stays healthy, because without Michael Bush waiting in the wings, a McFadden injury might lead to the ugliest looking team in the league.

8.) The Jets are not dead: They were just playing possum. I, being the over-thinker that I am, decided I would test their preseason inadequacies by starting the Bills defense for my fantasy team. It might have been the first time I’ve heard Mark Sanchez is taking advantage and it not being linked to his new contract. I can’t even talk any more shit, Sanchez was lights out in Week 1, completely negating the Bills “improved” front four which many (including myself) thought would give him trouble. If he keeps this up for the next few weeks, not only will Tebow talk decline, but he might be wearing the green and gold down in Jacksonville.

9.) Adrian Peterson is Superman: The guy tore both his MCL and ACL and is back on the field looking like someone who had turf toe. He only had surgery eight and a half months ago and was in the starting line-up for the Vikings. Not only did he start, but he was the only reason they won. Peterson rushed 17 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Honestly, this is one of the more amazing injury comeback stories I have seen in awhile and is just a testament to his hard work and overall physique.

10.) Chris Johnson is not: Are we sure it wasn’t Chris Johnson who tore his ACL and MCL? There really isn’t much to say about a guy who has been a headline nightmare the last few seasons starting the year off with four yards on 11 carries. Chris Johnson has become a track player wearing a running backs number. He has little ability to find a hole and his offensive line is not good enough to consistently give him a hole to run through. If he has a hole to run through, he has the ability go take it to the house every time, but those holes will not be there every time.
Joshua Jackson
@JoshJackson_TID