Sammy Vegas - NFL "N"sider #6

Last week was an incredible week in the NFL. We saw teams such as Chicago (3-0), Carolina (1-2), and Baltimore (3-0) win in the final minutes of their games. We also saw teams such as Houston, Tennessee, Detroit, Oakland (had a bye which could be considered a victory), and Tampa Bay remain winless. However, most importantly, we saw football return to the Big Easy. It is easy to say that the $85 million dollars to repair and renovate the Superdome could have been spent elsewhere, such as to rebuild communities and restore damaged businesses. But with the NFL bringing in 8 games a year, Tulane playing 6 games a year, the Sugar Bowl, all of the various concerts, conventions, and events a year, it is a crucial investment. For now though, put all of the financial details aside and think about the real reasons why the Superdome had to be renovated: Morale. Hurricanes. Burlesques. Beads. Po’ Boys. Jambalaya. Mardi Gras 2007!

Josh Brown (K): After taking an early 35-3 lead over the NY Giants, the Seattle Seahawks were not in need of any late game heroics from Brown. He ended up hitting 6 of 6 extra points in a 42-30 win in which we saw the Giants make another incredible late game rally. Here’s an idea for the Giants: move your clocks ahead two hours so you are not always starting in the 3rd quarter.

Mike Brown (S): Brown saved the day for the undefeated Chicago Bears. Against the Vikings, the Bears were down 16-12 late in the 4th quarter when Brown forced a fumble that lead to the game-winning touchdown with under 2 minutes to play. The Bears are now 3-0 against the NFC North and appear to be ready for a title run with unusual offensive output.

Ralph Brown (S): In a heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens’, the Browns’ DB recorded only one tackle.

Correll Buckhalter (RB): In a dominating 38-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the Eagles’ Correll Buckhalter produced just 16 yards on 5 carries. The Eagles’ other back, Brian Westbrook, had 117 yards rushing, 48 yards receiving, and 3 touchdowns and in case you were wondering, Buckhalter won’t be starting next week.

Daniel Bullocks (S): In another pitiful performance by the Detroit Lions, Bullocks again looked sharp with 4 tackles and 2 assists. Even though they are winless, the Lions players surely can’t complain about the fact they live in one of the most beautiful cities in the country where the sun shines everyday and the downtown area resembles Hiroshima.

Josh Bullocks (S): In case you haven’t heard yet, the New Orleans Saints are undefeated at 3-0 and appear to be legit. On Monday Night Football, the Saints dominated a tough Atlanta Falcons team 23-3. Bullocks had a magnificent blocked field goal and added 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles.

Scott Shanle (LB): Along with Bullocks and the rest of the New Orleans Saints, Shanle shined on MNF. He added 4 tackles and 1 sack and watched his fellow defense hold the run-oriented Falcons to only 117 yards rushing.

Mike Minter (S): The Carolina Panthers narrowly missed going a fate-sealing 0-3 start to this early season by beating Tampa Bay 26-24 on a last second field goal. Minter added just one solo and one assisted tackle.

Mike Rucker (DE): Along with Minter and the rest of the Carolina Panthers, Rucker could breathe a huge sigh of relief last Sunday. Rucker chipped in with one tackle and 2 assists as the 1-2 Panthers edged out Tampa.

Ahman Green (RB): Ahman had a fantastic day for the Packers as they beat the hapless Lions. Green had 63 yards on the ground and 68 yards receiving with one touchdownand now appears to be healthy and ready to contribute for the first time in years.

Chris Kelsey (DE): Kelsey and the Buffalo Bills fell to 1-2 after last week’s embarrassing home loss to the New York Jets. Kelsey had one solo, one assisted tackle, and a sack in the loss.

Kyle Larson (P): I’ll continue to stand by my claim that the Cincinnati Bengals are the best team in the NFL. After systematically destroying the World Champion Steelers despite numerous setbacks throughout the game, the Bengals sit 3-0 and appear to clicking on all cylinders – including punting. Larson had 5 punts for an average of 53.4 yards, including a long of 67 yards.

Sam Koch (P): Down 14-3 in the 4th quarter to the Cleveland Browns, the Baltimore Ravens won 15-14 on a last second field goal from Matt Stover to remain unbeaten. Koch did his part and had 6 punts for an average of 39.2 yards, including a long of 53 and 3 inside the 20. Have we become “Punter U”?

Barrett Ruud (LB): Ruud is starting to see some significant playing time as the young season moves on. Barrett recorded 8 tackles for the 0-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.


Kyle Vanden Bosch (DE): In a battle of two winless teams, Vanden Bosch and the Tennessee Titans were edged out by the Miami Dolphins 13-10. Kyle recorded 3 solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and one sack and will have the unfortunate task of watching, Kerry Collins once again line up under center next week. What’s that one QB’s name again? Oh yeah, Vincent Young. It has to feel like he is watching Chance Mock play ahead of him all over again.

Fabian Washington (DB):
My Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving the Oakland Raiders a week off. I pray that if you could find it in your heart to give them the rest of the season off, it would give us all a few minutes of our lives back each week by not having to read about them.
Amen.

Demorrio Williams (LB): Demorrio had another great game for the Falcons on Monday night by contributing 7 tackles and 1 assist against the Saints. However, Williams gameplay was overshadowed by the homecoming of the Saints to the city of New Orleans and to the Superdome.