|
Well week one out of the way, only fifteen to go till we find out who
will contest the play-offs for this season. No real shocks in week one,
more on the going-ons in week one later. Now onto coaches letters…….
Peter Harris writes……
Very happy with the draft, I am now one free agent away from exactly the
roster I wanted so hear no complaints from me. Great shame to lose MLB
Fred Strickland and DL Leon Lett, both were inspirational in our Superbowl
win of four seasons ago and I shall miss them a great deal. I have only
one player remaining from that roster I took over all those years ago
(ten seasons I believe) that being DL Mike Ulafale. Looking around the
league it really must be said that the roster are absolutely HUGE and
something needs to be done to curb their inexorable proliferation. I won
that bowl with a roster that had only 24 defensive strengths - and we
didn't concede a rushing TD in nineteen games! The total strengths were
only 56 - that would be very small only four seasons later. Be interesting
to hear anyone else's opinions regarding rosters. I would still like to
be able to introduce a dime back what with the great passing offences
we now have.
As for this season I think it looks straightforward in the AFC. The Oilers
will again be the team to beat. The only teams I see serious challenging
them are the Steelers (again) and the maybe the Jets. Sorry you AFC guys'
but- prove me wrong! The NFC is altogether much more interesting, in God's
chosen division (NFC East) I think I should be able to just about donate
enough time to retaining my crown - my problem will be overcoming Mr Brearley,
I always beat the Giants and the Skins are uncoached. The West will be
picked up by the 49ers (hey, great win namesake!) unless the Rams can
sort out their run defence out, whereby they would become a threat. The
Central looks a real tough one - I think the Pack may struggle to hold
on to their title. I really like the Buccs - Mark has settled in really
well and may well restore one of the great AZ franchises to its former
glory. I think, however the division may well end up in the windy city.
Paul looks to have a real understanding of defense - and that's what wins
AZ Superbowls kids isn't it? So it's the Bears to beat the Steelers for
me with the Boys and Oilers beaten in the championship games.
Good luck to all for the season (and especially to yourself Paul for your
newsletter efforts) and remember - It ain't the AZ unless it hurts!!!
Peter Swindells writes……
Don't expect me to react this quickly to the GP results in the future.
It's just that I'm off work with a heavy cold (all
together now - ahh!). I can tell you now that the win over Tampa was the
best tonic I could have wished for as its really given me a lift. It was
a tight game throughout, in which I was never too confident of victory.
In hindsight I think a key moment was towards the end of the second quarter
when we recovered a punt return to set up a 10-0 lead. Its now off to
St Louis to face their 6* QB and what looks to be a strong looking squad.
Trevor has already humiliated me at the back end of last season, so another
close one looks to be on the cards.
Trevor Halcrow writes…..
Week one - a victory to start with but the defensive backs earned their
salaries. Although we conceded 318 yards through the air, the front four
provided enough pressure and the three interceptions were the deciding
factor. On offence we looked to control the ball on the ground and it
seemed to work with 195 yards (4.8 average) and 33:23 time of possession….
Oh yes and we won the game with a clutch fieldgoal on the last play of
the game.
Week two - a visit from divisional rivals New Orleans and coach Swindells.
They look to favour the short passing game with a good balance between
run and pass. Defence should cope better with linebackers dropping into
coverage a bit more. On offence my new quarterback needs to stay with
his reads a little longer before bringing the ball down and taking off,
although seven rushes for thirty one yards in week one should make the
Saints defense hold back a little longer. Our punter may get more work
in this game.
Paul Denyer writes……
Defense won the game for us and was surprised to see we rank number one
on defense, but it's only week one!!! Intercepted Marino twice on the
Dolphins' first two drives and that led to the two touchdowns and an early
lead which Miami only got to within of eight points after that. Waiving
linebacker Keith Burns this week (on the recommendation of Dave Harris
J) and the tight end situation looks like some attention is needed as
well as wide receiver, Oakland this week, at home so really looking for
a win, looking forward we could well be 3-0 after three weeks, but 3-3
after six, after the Raiders and Browns we have Pittsburgh, San Diego
and Arizona!!
Week one reviewed……
A Jets win in Cleveland, but I guess Ronnie could have been worried going
into the last fifteen minutes with the Browns only trailing 17-23. Jets
QB Foley posted 306 yards in the air, but the Browns' ground offence was
most impressive with 229 yards and a healthy 4.6 average. Two scores from
the Jets in the fourth sealed a high scoring road victory for NY.
Another AFC contender went on the road and came away with a win against
a Central side as the Bills sneaked past the Bengals 27-24. Both sides
tried all day to establish the run but both sets of DL stuffed all running
lanes as neither averaged better than 2.9 a carry. It was left to the
QB's and kickers to win the game, Johnson threw for 3 touchdowns and Christie's
second fieldgoal settled matters.
New England's much vaunted running game from the 2002 season came to San
Diego and came away battered and bruised from a pounding by the Chargers'
defence. With only a 2.8 average per carry they persisted with the run
for 48 carries, but San Diego used all their tools with 248 yards passing
and 2 TD's, an improved display on the ground with 105 yards and a TD
and a kick off return for a TD as they win easily 37-16.
Two Marino interceptions on the first two Miami possessions sealed they
defeat in Denver. After that it was a defensive struggle with neither
offence breaching the end zone again and kickers Mare and Elam sharing
twelve points in a 20-6 win for the Broncos.
Reigning AFC champions Houston got their run for the Superbowl off to
a flier with a comprehensive victory over the Seahawks in Washington State.
The switch of first round choice Green and Eddie George between HB/FB
slots hasn't seem to slow the Oilers run attack and McNair has a solid
productive game. The Seahawks couldn't get anything going on offence giving
up 5 turnovers and completing only 2-11 on 3rd downs. Still Jan, least
you have played the best team in the AFC - the rest of us still have that
pleasure to come! Finally in the AFC the Steelers eased past the Raiders
in Oakland 36-10. It was not an excellent offensive display from Pittsburgh,
but it did the job and along with a hard-nosed defence the Raiders couldn't
get on track.
Onto the NFC and the Bears continue their improvement under Paul with
a fine 33-13 win over the Giants. McNown showed maturity beyond age with
a fine passing display against a tough defence with 3 TD's and 275 yards
passing. 17 punts in the game, and teams may have to watch out for the
Bears' return man this season, 8 for 120 in PR in week 1. The Giants racked
up good numbers offensively but couldn't sustain drives long enough to
create scoring opportunities.
Nothing changes in Arizona, Graham keeps throwing and the Cards keep winning,
and with the addition of another wide out will we see even more yards?
Game over in the Metrodome at half time here, as the Cards were 28-10
I front of a poor Vikings team. Kent and mates eased off in the second
to run out winners 44-10.
Battle of the namesakes was won by Dave and his Niners 30-8. The game
was won with a solid first half performance as San Fran scored 23 points
to the Cowboys' 8. Just as in the Superbowl winning year, the 49ers' success
is based round the old Parcells mould of hard nosed running and defence.
Cowboys had an offence that never stopped trying but couldn't break through
a tough Niners defence.
If you like your offence, well then St Louis was the place to be in week
one. St Louis edged past the Skins 30-27 in a thriller. The Rams' defence
just and so managed to contain the Redskins pass offence and came away
with 3 interceptions, while the Rams' new superstar at QB had a solid
game with 260 yards passing and even running for 31 on 7 carries.
The Packers started the defence of the Central title with a solid road
win in Georgia. A big running day for the Pack trio of Henderson, Levens
and Green helped quieten the Falcs while Favre was accurate with 70% of
his passed completed. The Birds offence never got on track and committed
five turnovers and scored in the 4th quarter to avoid the shut out.
In the battle of the upcoming teams, the Saints edged the Buccs in a close,
hard fought game in New Orleans 17-7. Coach Gamble is known for his blitzing
style on defence but this time it was Peter that used the old BZ to good
effect with 5 sacks and his overall defence led to 4 turnovers - but with
all blitzes there is a down side and the Buccs did rip off a 60 yard TD
run for their only score. The Saints offence had plenty of class to see
them through - scary running backs, Milne and Williams combined for 117
yards on 29 carries.
BEST OFFENCE OF THE WEEK
ST LOUIS RAMS - 26 first downs, 30 points, 455 yards.
Mentions also to Arizona, Washington, NY Jets & San Francisco.
DEFENCE OF THE WEEK
HOUSTON OILERS - allowed 14 first downs, 303 yards, recovered 5
turnovers and just 3 points.
Mentions to Denver, New Orleans & San Francisco
TEAM OF THE WEEK
CHICAGO BEARS
Comprehensive win over the NY Giants at Soldier Field 33-13.
Mentions also to San Diego, San Francisco & New Orleans.
WEEK TWO PREDICTIONS
From Trevor, Peter Swindels and myself.
NE-NJ Stop the run, stop the Pats has been the theory for the
past seasons. Nj by 24, Nj by 7, Nj by 10.
MD-BB Tough road game for the Fins', BB tough to beat on road or
at home. Md by 3, Bb by 13, Md by 7.
CL-HO Could get ugly, unless Browns get running going again. Ho
by 17, Ho by 13, Ho by 20.
CI-PS Tough road start for Matt, PS played average and still win
in week 1. Ps by 10, Ci by 1, Ps by 6.
OR-DB Just get DB to play like 1st QTR of week 1 for 4 QTR's- simple!
Db by 17, Db by 17, Db by 10.
SS-SD Tough road start for Hawks - improved rush game for SD. Sd
by 35, Sd by 10, Sd by 13.
DC-NG both coming off losses, tough for the loser to come back
from 0-2. Ng by 7, Dc by 3, Ng by 4.
WR-AC Battle of the pass in Sun Devil - Graham is class act of
AZ. Ac by 24, Ac by 9, AC by 16.
CH-GB Biggest div game of the week - if CH can win in Green Bay
- they can win the Central. Ch by 3, Gb by 6, Ch by 4.
MV-TB Buccs to get over opening day defeat with easy win over Vikes.
Tb by 14, Tb by 14, Tb by 20.
NS- SR Green versus, Milne and Williams, big game in the West.
Sr by 10, Ns by 3, Ns by 4.
AF-SF Birds no longer big force in AZ, Champs go 2-0. Sf by 13,
Sf by 12, Sf by 15.
Game of the week again has to follow the Bears and their trip to Lambeau
Field.
Many thanks to all you wrote in this week, that was Peter Swindells, Trevor
Halcrow, Pete Harris and Dave Harris.
Good luck to all this week.
Paul
|