The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Week 1

We're only into Week 1 and already there are plenty of storylines from last week's games. One story in particular has dominated the headlines and cast a shadow over the entire NFL. I'll touch more on that later, but before I do, here is the Good, Bad, and the Ugly from the NFL's Week 1.

The Good
This was the week for wide receiver rookie breakouts. Some of these were expected while a couple came out of nowhere. I want to talk specifically about three players; Brandin Cooks, Kelvin Benjamin, and Allen Hurns.

I'll start with the rookie wideout in New Orleans Brandin Cooks. The writing was on the wall that Cooks was primed for a big year, and he delivered catching 7 of his 8 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. He also had an 18 yard run in there as well. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Saints are going to use this guy all over the field and he is in for a big year in the Big Easy.

Get used to seeing this from Cam Newton's new weapon
(Photo courtesy of catcrave.com)

The next receiver on the list is former Florida State wideout Kelvin Benjamin. There was much talk before the season that Carolina had a depleted receiving core and how Cam Newton would have to carry this team. Enter rookie Benjamin, who not only went for 6 catches, 92 yards, and a touchdown, but did so with Derek Anderson as his quarterback. I didn't even know Anderson was still in the league. Anyway standing 6'5" and at 240 lbs, and with a healthy Cam Newton throwing him the ball, I have no problem saying that Benjamin could be a rookie of the year canidate.

Finally we come to the undrafted receiver out of Miami, Allen Hurns. With Cecil Shorts on the sideline, Hurns lined up across from 2nd round draft pick Marqise Lee. Hurns not only outperformed Lee (4 receptions, 110 yards, and 2 touchdowns), but he may have made a case to replace Lee opposite Shorts when he returns. Hurns also currently holds the Miami school record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,162. This is no small feat as Miami boasts a few notable receiving alumni including Michael Irvin, Andre Johnson, and Reggie Wayne. If Hurns keeps playing the way he did this week, you might be able to add his name to that list in a few years.

The Bad
-Being a Packers fan, I like to take any shot at the Bears I can and this week seems like the time to do it. Coming into Chicago, the Bears should have taken an easy 1-0 record into Week 2, but they ran into the great Buffalo Bills. I mean really? The Bills? If you're a Bills fan reading this, I apologize but Chicago should have won this game easily. Instead they decide to keep Chris Conte back at safety for some reason, even though he has given up big plays in the last two meaningful games for the Bears, including the wideopen bomb to Randall Cobb in Week 17 of last year. Also, they spent money in the offseason to improve their defensive line to get to the quarterback. That's great, but that wasn't their problem last year. Their problem was stopping the run, which again looks like their Achilles heal. Buffalo was able to run all over them, and largely kept them in the game as EJ Manuel only threw the ball 22 times. Sorry, Chicago, but I think this is going to be another long year for you.

Cowboys fans are used to seeing this look from their QB
(Courtesy of dallassportsfan.com via reddirtchronicles.com)

-How about another team with a terrible defense? The Dallas Cowboys. They made Colin Kaepernick look like the second coming of Joe Montana. Not only that, apparently Tony Romo forgot what team he played for in the first half as he threw 3 interceptions. All of which where thrown into double coverage. Of course there will Tony Romo supporters out there...."He didn't play all preseason, so he was going to be rusty" I call bullshit! The guy has been an NFL starter for 9 years now, he doesn't need the preseason to know not to throw to the other team. We make jokes about Tony Romo's interceptions, but he honestly doesn't throw that many having only thrown 10 last year. The bigger concern here is his decision making, as most of these interceptions come at crucial times in the game where he ends up costing his team. He should have an easier time against Tennessee this week. If he struggles again, the Cowboys are destined to finish at the bottom of NFC East.

The Ugly
- I think I can classify Spencer Lanning's face as ugly this week after he took a flying kick to the face from Steelers wideout Antonio Brown. If you didn't see the play, Lanning went to tackle Brown on a punt return, however Brown had a different idea and decided to Mario stomp on the poor punter's head. The Cobra Kai would be proud Antonio Brown.



Courtesy of Deadspin.com



- Now to end on a more serious note. The Ray Rice story is probably the ugliest thing to happen to the NFL in a very long time. The Ravens released long time starting running back Ray Rice after TMZ released footage from the Atlantic City elevator of Rice's domestic assault on then fiance Janay Palmer. Well apparently that was just the start as now the NFL is currently under investigation as to whether or not they saw the footage prior to Rice's initial 2 game suspension. The NFL insists that the video was not available to them, however recent reports state that and NFL executive received the footage back in April. Its a giant game of "He said, She said" and unfortunately its far from over.

 

 

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