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Second half notes

1. Javon Walker...wow. Nice run.

2. Speaking of Walker, Madden said that Mike Shanahan likes having a receiver who wants the ball on every play. As opposed to Ashley Lelie, whose catchphrase was, "I'll show you the money!"

3. Tony Scheffler, the rookie tight end, is interesting. One on hand, he clearly has size and ability. On the other, he plays like he just went through a growth spurt and isn't yet coordinated enough for his size. I'm just saying.

4. D.J. Williams destroyed Kevin Faulk near the end of the game, but Faulk just bounced back up. Manly.

5. Stat of the night: I can't believe Mike Shanahan's regular-season winning percentage with Plummer is better than it was with Elway. In Shanahan's first year with Elway the Broncos didn't have much of a team, while Plummer was more of the last piece of a puzzle. But still. That is incredible. Those Super Bowl years really spoiled me, and I'm definitely too hard on the Broncos now. Is this what it feels like to be a Yankees fan?

6. Tom Brady looked impressive on that ten-for-ten drive with a touchdown. Yes. It is good to connect on every pass. That said, I was scared to death of him coming into this game. He's the best football player in the world, and this was first crack at the only team that ever beat him in the playoffs. And he was at home. I fully expected the Patriots to come out gangbusters tonight, but they didn't. I know they're not the Patriots anymore, but still. That was a great win.

Comments

David said…
re: tom brady & best football player in the world

c'mon... he's not even. he's an efficient qb with great leadership skills. but he's not the best player in the world.

who is you ask? look no further than bvp, of course

game notes:
man i'm glad we have javon walker. we haven't had a receiver who can makes plays like that for a long time... not since.... vince jackson. ; )

t. bell looked solid. nice game.

defense did a great job... but i'm having a hard time distinguishing between their great performacne and the offenses they've been playing, and the overwhelming sense that they have all been playing like men with undescended testicles.

seriously.

bill belechek has got the nastiest coach uniform in the world. he looks like a freaking hobo. now i know dan reeves was a ticking timebomb of coronary catastrophes... but at least he looked like a professional. i also like jim tressels look. classy.

why is it that nba coaches are dressed in armani and prada (or at least brooks brothers), and nfl coaches are dressed in russel athletic and champion. interesting polarity.
David said…
i meant vance johnson.... zoiks.
Mike said…
You know what's funny about that? When Mike Nolan was hired as coach of the 49ers, he wanted to wear a suit. I guess he had to ask for permission...and the NFL turned him down. I'm pretty sure it had to do with the league's apparel sponsors. So they don't have to dress like hobos, but they're not allowed to dress nicely, either.

That is a great question about our defense. This was the first game I really saw almost all of, and New England didn't play very well on offense. I don't think that's all our D, either-I mean, we're good, but we're not never-give-up-a-touchdown good. We play the Colts and Steelers back-to-back in about a month and I guess we'll find out then.

We all miss Bradlee. You have to let go.
Mike said…
Of course our defense is great so far-Larry Coyer is like the Bill Belichick of the regular season. Or maybe that makes him the J.J. Redick of NFL defensive coaching.

Yes, we should be explosive with Javon, but we're not even close yet. We did score two touchdowns in the same game last night, which is progress.
Anonymous said…
I only saw the second half on, but I was impressed, the offense finally show viable signs of life and productivity, I was happy to see the Tatum is final taking on the lead role as running back, productively. Jevon really impressed me, but the number thing does bother me. D was good, there was a lot of pressure on Brady for a while, I still wish they could get a sack. DJ Willians hit, best i've scene so far-

Peace out from Hawaii
Mike said…
Thanks, anon. I guess if I lived in Hawaii I'd have better things to do than proofread my blog comments, too.
Anonymous said…
shut it
Mike said…
It was really more of a burn on me.

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