Every Monday, our very own DLamp will be taking a look at what just happened the day before in the NFL, and looking ahead to the Monday night game(s).
Week 3 was rough. I had to live-blog a game over at SI.com, and wouldn’t you know it? I pull Niners vs. Lions. Luckily, the Dolphins defeated the much hated Patriots to make my day sunnier than any day before it. Take that, Mass-holes!
Which is the real Derek Anderson: this year or last year?
Neither. Last year was a little ‘lightning in a bottle’ for the Brownies, and I saw it coming. That’s why, in 4 fantasy leagues, I never touched Anderson, Lewis, or Edwards. I just didn’t buy it. Last year, teams didn’t know what DA had to offer, since he had never been heard from before. Now, they know exactly what to expect and game plan for. Also, I think he misses Joe Jurrevicius more than he expected (Dante Stallworth, his replacement, hasn’t seen the field yet due to hamstring problems. Stallworth hampered by injuries? Weird.) as teams are focusing on stopping the run and Edwards (who apparently has turned into Stonehands).
Why didn’t Miami think of this sooner?
I have no idea. They know Ronnie Brown is the best player on their team, and their only shot at winning, so let’s stop messing around: give him the damn ball! And you know what? Let’s cut out that annoying part where the QB hands him the ball. Just hike that sum-bitch to him directly and let him work over the other team like the biggest kid on a Pop Warner field.
If the Cowboys are “America’s Team”, are the Broncos “God’s Team”?
It would certainly appear so. Aside from their blowout of the Raiders in week 1, the Broncos have won all their games by the skin of their freakin’ teeth. First, then get a little help from the officials at the end of the San Diego game to steal one that they should have lost. Then, they give up over 400 yards in the air to Drew Brees and the Saints only to have Martin Grammatica push is field goal wide left. Let’s hope they can keep this up all season because it’s entertaining as hell to watch!
Bigger loss: Big Ben or Westbrook?
Westbrook, hands down. Buckhalter is a passable replacement, but is nowhere near the home run threat that Westbrook has been over the years. The Steelers, however, didn’t much of a backwards step when Leftwich replaces Big Ben towards the end of the game. Let’s not forget that Leftwich was starting for a play-off caliber team before he started getting injured and got in Del Rio’s dog house. It’s not like the guy doesn’t have any skills. Neither of these guys are expected to miss any extended time, but if they do, the Steelers will be better off than the Eagles.
Why is no one talking about Dallas running the table?
Simple: Romo. Jerry Jones can try to make him a star QB as much as he wants, but he still shows those moments that separate him from the Mannings and Bradys of the world. I’m talking about the fumbles, the picks, and the silly sacks that he always seems to take. Eventually they will meet up with a team that can either slow down the offense, or keep up with the defense, and one of those mistakes is going to cost the Cowboys a game (see: vs. Seattle two years ago).
Fantasy Question of the Week
Should I be starting Ronnie Brown from now on?
Sure…if you’re an idiot. Listen, the Dolphins came up with a great scheme that the Patriots never expected which is what lead to Brown’s 5 TDs (4 rushing, 1 passing). That’s just not going to happen again. However, you can now consider starting Brown (something I hadn’t done yet this year, hence him being on my bench this past week). Starting the season, everyone in the Dolphins organization was touting Ricky Williams, enough to make him the starter over Brown, who was a beast last year until he got hurt. Now it appears as though everyone has woken up fro the Ricky Williams dream and realized that Brown is the real play maker on the team. So expect his diet of carries and catches to increase from the first two weeks, but it will never be week 3 again.
Un-Perfect Season Watch ‘08!
Still un-un-beaten: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, San Diego, St. Louis
Monday Night Sneak (Preview) Attack
NY Jets @ San Diego - San Diego is the closest thing I have to a ‘home’ NFL team, so I’m picking them. I mean, I’m pretty awesome, and they’re pretty close to me, so I’m sure some of my awesomeness will rub off on them [editor's note: heh, "rub off"!].
2008 Sneak Attack record: 2-1
“Mass-holes” like it, and think I’ll be using that soon during AL playoffs.
Keep it up sugar-britches.
“4 fantasy leagues”?
Holy shit – Smash is a fucking saint.
“According to teammates, trouble began earlier this season when Romo arrived at practice and asked head coach Bill Parcels if he wanted to know what heaven smelled like. Without allowing time for a response, Romo placed his fingers directly beneath Parcels nostrils, causing the coach to recoil in disgust. Romo then held his hands aloft for all to see and pledged to never wash them again, a promise he has apparently kept to this day. “