NFL Opening Week 2005

[Damaramu 0]

Well I figured the Patriots would win but I didn't think it would be this close.

[Annabelle 0]

the game was closer than the patriotaphobes are claiming. the raiders defense was really surprising. aside from a botched field goal & stupid kerry collins INT, this woulda been very close. collins really sucked it in the second half, too. the defense really kept them in it.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

The Patriots rarely blow teams out, so the fact it was that close shouldn't be too surprising. Its the way they usually win, outside of letting the Raiders score first.

[Annabelle 0]

but the raiders were getting picked in through the first quarter. they had the worst defense in the league last year. to really bare down & make several stops was surprising. and the raiders missed a field goal, and several other chances to put points on the board.

[Sass 0]

Goddamnit.

 

Collins didn't look good at all. This could be another looooooonnnggg season with him at the QB spot. The back-ups are too inexperienced to be called upon right now. The (young) O-line also fell apart one too many times in this game. At least LaMont Jordan and Zack Crockett looked good when they had some holes to run through. Randy Moss was covered by one of the NFL's best secondary and the triple team coverage worked for them. Moss throwing that guy down by the jersey in the endzone, I think, spoke for how the rest of the Raiders team were probably feeling. Randy did look good in the 1st quarter but, after that, Rodney Harrison and crew just stuck to Moss like fly paper. That was a tough game to lose but the Patriots are still the defending champs and they showed it off tonight why they are.

 

The Raiders could have their hands full in KC in the next game.

[MikeJordan23 0]

Goddamnit.

 

Collins didn't look good at all.  This could be another looooooonnnggg season with him at the QB spot.  The back-ups are too inexperienced to be called upon right now.  The (young) O-line also fell apart one too many times in this game.  At least LaMont Jordan and Zack Crockett looked good when they had some holes to run through.  Randy Moss was covered by one of the NFL's best secondary and the triple team coverage worked for them.  Moss throwing that guy down by the jersey in the endzone, I think, spoke for how the rest of the Raiders team were probably feeling.  Randy did look good in the 1st quarter but, after that, Rodney Harrison and crew just stuck to Moss like fly paper.  That was a tough game to lose but the Patriots are still the defending champs and they showed it off tonight why they are.

 

The Raiders could have their hands full in KC in the next game.

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We have two problems here

 

The offensive line was not good last night. Collins was pressured all night after the first quarter. And Collins isn't a smart QB so he forces the ball to his best reciever when there's other options available. Very frustrating. So was Moss drop on third down when we would've got the first down and he had a lot of open yards to get. Jerry Porter being hurt didn't help matters either.

 

The pass defense is probably worse then I imagined. And we play the Chiefs next week then the Eagles. This is not good.

 

Things I liked

 

The rush defense stepped up big and the second half the pass defense did put more pressure on the quarterback.

 

I was impressed with Lamont Jordan. He could have a big season if this o-line improves through the year.

 

I doubt the pass rush will be much better but if the offensive line gets better we can definitely go 9-7.

[Fökai 0]

Two thoughts after seeing the game:

 

1. Goddamn, does Kerry Collins suck.

 

2. Randy Moss will still make him look like a Pro Bowl quarterback.

[Annabelle 0]

thats bullshit. aside from a bit in the first quarter, the o-line played extremely well for collins. he had tons of time at least a handful of times where he had to throw it away. they made huge holes for lamont & crockett, too. they're the elast of the problems. the raiders will not go anywhere with kerry collins at qb. he's a statue. a brainless statue. if you're gonna take the sack, tuck the ball in. don't tuck your head in & leave the ball out to get stripped.

 

the raiders also need a bit of help in their secondary. gibson & routt got picked on. i understand with the rookie, but gibson? this is his 4th year? i think. c'mon, son. get with it.

[MikeJordan23 0]

thats bullshit.  aside from a bit in the first quarter, the o-line played extremely well for collins.  he had tons of time at least a handful of times where he had to throw it away.  they made huge holes for lamont & crockett, too.  they're the elast of the problems.  the raiders will not go anywhere with kerry collins at qb.  he's a statue.  a brainless statue.  if you're gonna take the sack, tuck the ball in.  don't tuck your head in & leave the ball out to get stripped.

 

the raiders also need a bit of help in their secondary.  gibson & routt got picked on.  i understand with the rookie, but gibson? this is his 4th year? i think.  c'mon, son.  get with it.

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You must've been watching a different game. He got pressured all through the second half. He rushed throws and was off balance.

[Sass 0]

The Raiders 2ndary did not look sharp out on the field. The Pats WR's had miles of room to get open sometimes.

 

Ted Washington, Warren Sapp and Derrick Burgess all impressed me with how they played. Washington was *gassed* by the 2nd half and drawing double and triple teams to keep him busy. Sapp played with some hustle in his game, which was nice to see.

 

Derrick Burgess has given me hope at the DE position. I'm glad the Raiders picked him up from the Eagles.

 

Jerry Porter missing all of the preseason games with a sore hammy did not help out in the game. John Madden brought up how the lack of preseason games can leave someone rusty going into the regular season and Porter "shined" with this theory last night.

 

Courtney Anderson was the real star on the Raiders after picking up two TD's from Collins. I just hope he can stay healthy this season. The TE position might have just found a bonafide starter with Anderson. I'll be keeping a close eye on him and how he does this season.

 

I hate to say this but Robert Gallery has not impressed me at either tackle position. I'm all for grooming him to play Left tackle, as was intended, but I just hope the training and waiting pays off for him and the team.

[megaadvice 0]

Why is everyone saying the score should have been more emphatic?? Hve you not seen the Pats over the last few years they hardly ever really dominate teams. And they are not as good as the last few years either, I acually expected the Pats to win by 3-7 points.

[Ripper 0]

Exactly. They won 3 superbowls by a total of 9 points. Strong Defensive/mediocre offensive teams seldom blow teams out. But they do usually win.

[Annabelle 0]

thats bullshit.  aside from a bit in the first quarter, the o-line played extremely well for collins.  he had tons of time at least a handful of times where he had to throw it away.  they made huge holes for lamont & crockett, too.  they're the elast of the problems.  the raiders will not go anywhere with kerry collins at qb.  he's a statue.  a brainless statue.  if you're gonna take the sack, tuck the ball in.  don't tuck your head in & leave the ball out to get stripped.

 

the raiders also need a bit of help in their secondary.  gibson & routt got picked on.  i understand with the rookie, but gibson? this is his 4th year? i think.  c'mon, son.  get with it.

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You must've been watching a different game. He got pressured all through the second half. He rushed throws and was off balance.

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pressured ALL second half? he had more time than not.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

on ESPN Merill Hodge just picked the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Take it easy on Merril, he probably had another concussion going into the studio....

 

Oh and when I see Merril try and justify his 49ers over Eagles pick next week, I am going to laugh my ass off...

[NoCalMike 0]

Kerry Collins is like Drew Bledsoe, they will fill the stat sheets, but can't make the important throws that win games.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Steelers score on a trick play: a pass to the TE!

 

Defense looks pathetic, Ben looks excellent.

[Guest *KNK*]

Figured we'd see more action here since Kickoff ensued 30 minutes ago.

 

Bengals look horrible as the Browns led by Trent Dilfer are just running over them and Dilfer is in this Tom Brady zone.

 

However, they only managed to score 3 pts off this. Although they had two really close calls.

 

The playcalling from Romeo Crannel is rather odd but aggressive.

[Cartman 0]

The Jets are bad....real bad.

[Damaramu 0]

Good god Priest Holmes is a MAN. That was a nice TD run.

Steve Smith is also a MAN after what I just saw.

[mike546 0]

Jets are getting run over by the Cheifs so far.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Steve Smith was my sleeper pick in all my Fantasy Leagues. That man can play, and somehow, everyone forgot.

[Slayer 0]

Daunte Culpepper already has two turnovers in the first quarter (INt + fumble), but at least the defense looks better, as former Packer Darren Sharper returns a Griese INT some 80 yards for a TD

[razazteca 0]

Steve Smith is back with a vengence! Believe the hype for the Panthers, cause its for real people.

[Precious Roy 0]

I've got NYJ/KC and Chi/Was on the TV.

 

The Jets aren't bad, KC is just on a mission after their horrible start last year. Their offense looks like it's in mid-season form, and that Larry Johnson play call was a thing of beauty.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Man, I've got Priest and Larry on one of my fantasy teams... I should just start them both from now on.

[Guest *KNK*]

Bengals having a really smooth drive here.

[Slayer 0]

I thought the Jets were supposed to be one of the top teams this year

[Precious Roy 0]

Pennington with a beautiful out pattern to McCariens...

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

Travis Henry got STUCK by James Farrior and fumbled. If that's not on Sportscenter tonight, I don't know what is.