When the NFL season began after a lengthy lockout, I was aware that there would be a plethora of injuries. Also, since the lockout also caused a marathon of free agent signings in a short period, I also knew it would take teams a while to gel with new players.
I had three teams on my radar that I was going to root for: my Indianapolis Colts, the Philadelphia Eagles and the St. Louis Rams.
I, like most of you, bleed blue and I was willing to cheer harder than ever since Peyton Manning was going to be sidelined for a unspecified amount of time. The Eagles are my second favorite NFL team because I love Michael Vick. I honestly thought with their talent and coaching staff they had a shot to play in Indy in February. As for the Rams, they have the best running in the NFL in Steven Jackson and one of the most talented young quarterbacks in Sam Bradford. Unfortunately, they have a slew of injuries and haven’t lived up to my hype. My three teams are a combined 5-23.
My revelation is that while 5-23 is embarrassing, it’s also the reality that a lot of teams are only as good as their best player, with a complete two-a-day training camp and the lockout literally took the life out of some teams. I’ve also learned a few other things:
Tim Tebow really sucks
I’m a Christian, so unlike some of Tebow’s haters, my opinion has nothing to do with him praising the Lord in the end zone. Last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, he was 2-8 for 64 yards. Are you kidding me? In the NFL? I guess the big picture should be that Denver won the game, but it’s not. Tebow may look like an NFL quarterback and run like a NFL tight end but that’s about as far as his NFL talent goes. He can’t throw the ball, read defenses or change plays at the line of scrimmage. He may have been god-like in Florida, but I’m not sure what he is in Denver.
St. Louis Rams will be great next year
This team keeps tugging on my emotions. I really like this team. The talent is so obvious but injuries have robbed them of success this season. Here is a short list of players who’ve been injured this season: quarterback Sam Bradford, running back Steven Jackson and their top receiver Danny Amendola. Additionally, their secondary has four players on the injured reserve including cornerback Al Harris who was lost last Sunday with a knee injury. It’s hard to stop the pass when you’re forced to play rookie corners and defensive backs (ask the Colts). However, with an offseason to get healthy and a full training camp, watch out for the Rams in 2012.
Anybody watching the 49ers?
If you’re not, you’re missing out on some really good football. Jim Harbaugh has the San Francisco 49ers playing where his Stanford Cardinals left off. They’re 8-1, have won seven in a row and are undefeated on the road. Quarterback Alex Smith who was almost written off as an NFL bust, is showing all he needed was a coach who knew how to coach to his talents. His numbers may not be great, but his leadership has been key. Also, his two interceptions this season, which is fewest among quarterbacks speaks volumes. Thanks to running back Frank Gore, they’re seventh in the league in rushing; and thanks to a recharged defense, they’re holding opponents to 73 rushing yards per game.
Bill Walsh is smiling.
