NFL
The 2005 NFL regular season hasn’t even begun yet, and already the league is decimated by tragedy. The San Francisco 49ers’ offensive lineman Thomas Herrion collapsed and died in the locker room after a preseason game, Hurricane Katrina has left the New Orleans Saints homeless and hopeless, and a beloved legend is finally calling it quits.
Dear Chicago Bears,
You’re killing me Bears. Just killing me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fan, just an interested observer who has resorted to rubber necking at you’re distorted franchise.
Where did it all go wrong?
Remember back in 2001, heady days than, when Mike Brown was making miracle interceptions in overtime on a seemingly weekly basis and Jim Miller guided by his formidable beard was leading you to an amazing 13-3 season?
What the hell happened?
From the day the NFL season kicks off to the day of the Superbowl America is glued to their television on Sunday afternoons and nights. For people in Philadelphia, New England, San Diego, and other cities that have solid division contenders the worries don’t start until the Playoffs. For the fans of teams in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit and other underachieving cities there is anticipation of a complete turnaround. Every year there is a surprise and this year will be no exception.
By Jeremy Burnham
Everyone in their right mind knew that Tim Rattay should start over rookie Alex Smith. If you did not know that from the start, you sure found out after the first preseason game. And if you still had doubts after that, they were crushed after the second game. Even Coach Nolan seemed to finally get it, naming Rattay the starter.
I’ve revisited the power rankings that I posted back in July and have made quite a few changes to them. Here is my revised edition of power rankings:
by Trevor Freeman
I will never forget the time I met Jerry Rice. My third grade Parks & Recreation basketball team, the Our Lady of Loretto Panthers was going to face off with the Loma Verde Jammers at halftime of the Golden State Warriors game. Prior to our scheduled duel, my teammate Gary Swett decided to purchase a hot dog. While walking and eating it at the same time he ran smack dab into Jerry Rice. Immediately Gary came charging back to all of us and informed us that Jerry Rice was sitting not too far from our seats. This led all of us to walk over and stare at Jerry Rice (and Jeff Fuller as an added bonus). Jerry Rice could have had security remove all of us, but instead he graciously signed autographs and let every single member of our team try on his Super Bowl ring.
There are some things about the 2005 NFL preseason that have made you cheer, and some that have made you absolutely cringe. Here are some of the best and worst performances so far in the first three weeks of the preseason:
(Note: for purpose of this article, the week that featured the Colts-Falcons game in Tokyo and the Hall-of-Fame Game is referred to as Week One).
Three yards and a cloud of dust. That has been the dominating theme for the Pittsburgh Steelers offense over the years. This was personified last season when the Steelers ran the ball over 600 times accumulating nearly 2500 yards. While Pittsburgh may open things up in the passing game a little more this upcoming season, do not expect the ground game to disappear. Instead, the Steelers rushing attack may have a different look than what we are all accustomed to.
Every season there are several teams that make the big leap from mediocrity to Super Bowl contention. In 2004 San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta rose above most prognosticator’s preseason expectations and secured playoff berths by winning their respective divisions. This year will provide similar results for three teams who have long been NFL bottom feeders. Fans in Detroit, Arizona, and Cincinnati will be dizzy with joy flying with their teams into the rarified air of post-season play. Here’s the breakdown by division.
As the T.O show continues; so do training camps and the rise of the “other” teams in the NFC East.