Hi all, how have you been? Hope all is well. Well after another extended period of blog neglecting *clearing cobwebs*, I have decided to come back and share some thoughts on - what else - Whats new and exciting in the world of football.
The first thing easily is welcome back to the NFL. It's great to know that the NFL will be around for at least 10 years, uninterrupted. It's been a crazy week or so since the lock out was lifted. All of the moves that you see over the course of a 6 month off season has been condensed into a two week period. So many signings and cuts, I can't possibly comment on all of them, but I will comment on these immediately on my mind.
Nnamdi Asomugha to the Eagles - no not the Jets was and likely is the most surprising move of the off season. Everyone had him going to the Jets. Not so obviously. He will help a secondary that was one of the worst in red zone defense.
Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth to the Pats - If anyone was going to take these players other than the Pats, they would have been called nuts, but because it is New England, they will be given the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise given their track record with players who have been disgruntled in the past. It's all about the "Patriot Way" I guess. I think Haynesworth will help immensely, especially against the run. Good luck running up the middle against Vince Wilfork and Albert Haynesworth. That being said I do think they are still lacking that pass rushing linebacker that they didn't have all of last year.
Arland Bruce traded to the BC Lions - I'm not sure that this trade will help either teams all that much. Bruce is on the wrong side of 30, and Hamilton got not much more than a roll of tape in return. Coupled with the fact that Travis Lulay is still a bit erratic in his passing, and I don't know that this move has immediate dividends for the Lions. Bruce's first game will be against Alex Suber and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who held Bruce to 2 catches for 22 yards, and it might be a rough first game for him.
Speaking of the Bombers...how bout 'dem Bombers? 4-1 after 5 weeks is a nice start, especially when you really should be 5-0 but oh well. Winning in November is obviously what matters most. I love how our defense is playing. The Bombers lead the league with 21 sacks after 5 games, next closest is Hamilton with 12. It will be fun to see the numbers we put up if we get Philip Hunt back from the Philly Eagles.
The Green Bay Packers - I laugh how many people are calling the Eagles the dream team after all their moves in free agency. Green Bay just won the Super Bowl with having a total of 15 players on injured reserve (meaning out for the season for those not in the know) Sure injuries will happen again this year, but the Packers offense will be even more potent with Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley (breakthrough player of the year this year - book it!) returning.
Looking forward to the Bomber game on Friday, 5-0 Edmonton rolls into town. Reminds of 2002-2004 with the battles we used to have with them for first place, albeit we were in the same division at the time.
Thanks once again to Kito Poblah for lunch this week. It was great to have some great food and chat. Hopefully we can get in that game of NCAA football 12 soon.
Kudus to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for their first class tribute to Coach Richard Harris. Going to practices won't be the same without him. I met him twice, both were experiences I will always remember. Players and fans will miss him terribly.
Thanks for reading.
