“Just Win Baby”
Yes, that’s what the Oakland Raiders did this past Sunday. With the passing of owner Al Davis the entire NFL community has a heavy heart. This was one of the few franchises that has been tied to one man for most of its existence. You can look at his passing in two ways. One is to say that he is one of the most innovative and outspoken owners ever in any sport. And two, it was either his way or nobody’s way. He has butted heads with so many people that it’s hard to keep track. From head coaches to commissioners and even to city leaders. One thing is for certain that it was fitting that the Oakland Raiders won that game against the Houston Texans. Houston had the advantage playing at home and have better players at key positions. However, there was motivation on the Raiders side to just win one for Al and that’s just what they did.
Timmy has arrived
For far too long there was rumbles about starting Tim Tebow in Denver. I’m not going to bash and critique Tim’s quarterback prowess unlike some, mainly Merril Hoge, who isn’t even a quarterback to begin with. I am going to say that it was unwise to think that Tim Tebow would have done better than Kyle Orton through the first 5 games. He’s learning a new system in only his second year. The coaching staff obviously doesn’t think much of him because they didn’t draft him and John Elway isn’t going to risk everything he’s trying to build on one guy. Granted when Tebow entered the game in the second half against the San Diego Chargers the entire team transformed. They nearly beat the Chargers, but I’m not going to say that it was entirely because of Tebow because it wasn’t. This issue is finally coming to an end with him being named the starting quarterback in Denver, but if the Broncos don’t win another game while Tebow is the starter who will they turn to then? I think he can be a good quarterback, but only under a staff that believes they can win with him.
Now is not the time to panic
Everyone in New York and Philadelphia are up in arms about their respective teams. New York Jets fans to be more specific there. Both are off to slow starts, but it’s only Week 5 folks. Calm down. Lets take a look at the Jets brutal road schedule the last 3 games. At Oakland, at Baltimore and at New England. Not one team in the league could go 3-0 on the road against those teams. Not one. The Jets however went 0-3, but you can’t count them out just yet. They have been a second half team as their history shows under head coach Rex Ryan. They play Miami and San Diego at home going into their bye week so be thankful for that. The Eagles with all those expectations that everyone stupidly put on them have bit them in the butt. The only loss that the Eagles were totally dominated in was against the New York Giants and that was without Michael Vick for most of that game. Now Vick’s turnovers haven’t helped, but they play at Washington which is a winnable game. Who expects the Redskins to stay in first place, honestly? If they win that game going into their bye week they play at home against Dallas, Chicago and Arizona the next three weeks. All the groaning will go away with wins in those games. Atlanta is fortunate that they play in Atlanta. Mainly because no one is paying attention. They were supposed to be atop the NFC, but are wallowing near the bottom. Playing Carolina at home should be the wake up call they need for their next game. But if they continue to disappoint they will be scrutinized a lot more towards the end of the season when everyone will wonder, ‘What happened to the Falcons? Weren’t they supposed to be good?’
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