Week 2 NFL Review - Brendan Darr's Blog

Brendan Darr's Blog

Week 2 NFL Review Stuck

Posted on September 18, 2012 at 05:21 PM.

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It was an interesting week in the NFL, to say the least. We saw some trends developing, and unfortunately, some seasons ending.

1) Struggling Running Backs

Titans Running Back Chris Johnson is averaging 1.1 yards per carry. Chiefs Running Back Jamaal Charles finished with three yards total. Raiders Running Back Darren McFadden barely has 50 yards rushing on the season through two games. 14 individual players have rushed for more yards than the Arizona Cardinals, as a team, have this season.

Is it offenses moving away from the running game? Definitely not. Teams may be catching up to these running games, but at least in the case of Charles, he isn't healthy. Maybe McFadden too. As for Chris Johnson? It is definitely one of the great mysteries of the early season.

2) Elite Quarterbacks Struggling

Before the season I argued that the top three Quarterbacks in the league were Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Of that trio, none rank in the NFL's top 10 Quarterback's in Passer Rating. Only Brees is in the top five in passing yards, while Brady is ninth.

The three are still the best three Quarterbacks in the league, but their teams have struggled so far this year. Brees, especially, has seen his teammates struggle around him with the loss of their coaching staff.

3) The Saints

So the Saints are officially in crisis mode. They have to be. Who saw this team starting 0-2 at the beginning of the season. Likely no one, not even the most pessimistic of fans, could have envisioned the Saints at 0-2.

The Saints had a 10-7 lead against the Panthers on Sunday after the first quarter. They were outscored 28-17 the final three quarters.

4) Injuries

The Redskins lost two starters on defense -- LB Brian Orakpo and DL Adam Carriker -- for the year. The Eagles lost starting Center Jason Kelce for the year as well. The Patriots vaunted attack took a hit this week with TE Aaron Hernandez sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks with a high ankle sprain.

As mentioned earlier, Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles re-injured his knee and will miss, at least, the next game. Finally, Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert suffered a bruised gluteus maximus, as well as shattered pride, in the Jaguars loss to the Texans.

5) The Replacement Refs

After Week 1, games were already taking, on average, over six minutes longer than games from 2011. That number is sure to rise after this past week's games. There were multiple blown calls in just about every game. Replays are taking forever.

Enough. That's it. It is time to end this, Roger Goodell. You can't honestly say these refs are "competent." They are completely out of their element and that is hurting the integrity of the game. Players across the league are coming out against the replacement referees.

God forbid this story is true. That is a traveshamockery.

Follow Brendan Darr on twitter for more: @BrendanDarr

Comments

# 1 StL_RamZ @ Sep 18

Lmao a bruised gluteus Maximus

# 2 Juggernaut55 @ Sep 19

Every report I've seen says Charles will play this week?

# 3 joefrommo117 @ Sep 19

Charles may play this week - he injured the same knee he had the ACL tear in last season. I think the Chiefs hope he's back to full strength and that it was just a bruise or something, but I don't think anyone knows at this point.

# 4 joefrommo117 @ Sep 19

Just saw that Charles practiced today, so he's probably fine.

# 5 footballfan41 @ Sep 19

I like the way the games are being played wt the The Replacement Refs,..yes they over look a few things n call some dumb stuff,..but all n all they let them play football,...I like the way they let the WR, SS, FS n CB,...fight more for the ball,..the old refs n nfl needs to watch n take a page from the refs....and far as the Running Game they are None just a couple teams,.has really took the fun out of the game,..QB's having 45, 54 n 60 passes a game, is unheard of,..when QB throws 40 plus times YES THEY WILL HAVE A FEW INT'S,..for sure,..the teams that builds a passing n running team Will be in the super bowl,.cause wt just throwing teams don't have to do much homework,,Look at the Big money teams are paying some of this Backs,.thats only rushing for 50 so yards a game,..he not worth 5 mils a year,,n they getting 15 mils,..they been a few that came out of the draft the past couple years,.that if you add them all together not even worth what they paying 1 back,..Teams REALLY needs to seat down n think out some of these players b4 signing big contracts,..and the guys that hold out!!!! boot there butts out,.they not TEAM players when they do that,..that's why no 1 liked raiders owner bless his heart,.he did not take that crap,..but this day n time we have spoiled the players into its all bout money,,..

# 6 TheRealHST @ Sep 19

1. The runningbacks are struggling yes, and one of the reasons I believe contributes to said struggle is the lack of fullback use. Teams just (often) line up in Strong formations. Most of the time its a singleback formation (spread) and the runningback just has to make due. Alot of backs NEED that lead blocker.

2. I think its too early for this one. I dont see these Elite QBs struggling for too long. Hell, even when they supposedly struggle they are still putting up huge numbers. Go Figure.

3.If there was any 0-2 team that could come back and dig themselves out of this hole it would be the Saints. We all now see how "coaching" is VERY important. Sean Paytons little nuances arent there and the replacement coach just doesnt have that. It would be nice if the defense would decide to help Brees.

4. Injuries happen every year, every decade. This is nothing new.

5. They are HORRIBLE. These are basically guys like you and me suddenly being thrown in NFL games. Some of these refs are fans. Some could be influenced by making a quick buck. The possiblities are endless and unless Roger wants another big contraversy he better fix this.

# 7 Brendan Darr @ Sep 20

Yeah, I read a report Monday saying he'd miss this week, maybe more and then he practices on Wednesday. Things happen.