NFL Week 2 - Clash of the Titans - Young vs. Fisher

I've been side tracked all week so a major delay in my weekly NFL blog.

First game that comes to mind is the Titans vs. Steelers game. With Fat Ben out for four games, many thought a 2-2 record was a major accomplishment. It is if you've seen the numbers the QBs put up this week you'd probably chalk this game up as a loss. Donna Dixon and C-Batch managed a grand total of 21 passing yards. This game was all Steeler defense and Vince Young/Carry Collins turnover suckage.

Vince Collins and Kerry Young accounted for five turnovers (3 Int and 2 fumbles lost).

I think at this point it is safe to assume that Troy Polamalu is more valuable to the Steelers win column that Fat Ben. A healthy Polamalu means a nasty defense. When he was out last year, the defense was suspect at best but on top with him. The offense is no where as strong without Fat Ben but the team is still winning. The Steelers aren't going to be able to out defend for 14 more games this year so getting Fatso back is important. It's just worth noting how much better the Steelers are with The Hair than without.

To me it's pretty evident that Jeff Fisher doesn't like Vince Young. Young was never Fisher's choice in the 2006 draft. That selection was purely Bud Adams doing. In the 2008 season opener, Vince Young was benched and later refused to return to the game. Collins helped topple the Colts from the AFC South top. Fisher kept Collins as the start through a miserable start of the 2009 campaign. Again, it was only after Bud Adams intervene did Young return as the starter after the open week. Against Pittsburgh last week, Fisher didn't hesitate to yank Young after three turnovers. Fisher did say Young will remain the starter. It's not like Fisher has any other options or Adams will let him start Collins.

The big question becomes who wins the Clash of the Titans? Fisher? Young? How about Bud Adams? He wins as the owner. Ultimately who will Adams choose? The moody inconsistent quarterback or the longest tenured coach in the NFL? I'm not sure I can make a strong argument for either side. If I'm the owner I go with the man who won most recently for me. Fisher took a Collins led team to the playoffs in 2008 while Young sulked on the bench. I think this is the make or break year for one or both. Adams could decide to jettison both and start from scratch. Not only have the Colts returned to the top but Houston passed up Tennessee along the way as top challenger.

NFL Line of the Week
Matt Schaub - QB Houston Texans
38-52 passing, 497 yards, 3 TDs, 1 Int
Seriously, I'm not a Texans homer. After all I did give this weekly award to Payton Manning. I can't help it though. 400+ yards in a game will get you Line of the Week and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub turned in the line of the week.

NFL Player of the Week
Mark Sanchez - QB NY Jets
Last week's JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week is this week's Player of the Week. Sanchez bounced back from last week's loss and criticism of the Jets to defeat AFC East division favorite New England Patriots. Sanchez threw 3 TDs in a 28-14 victory.

JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week
Joe Flacco - QB Baltimore Ravens
In a 10-15 defeat by the Bengals, Flacco threw a Jake Delhomme like 4 interceptions. In two games, despite one win, the supposedly improved Ravens offense has only mustered up 20 points.

Joe Pisarcik Players of the Week
New York Giants
Yes I picked the whole team. Eli was out played by Payton. Tom Coughlin was outcoached by Jim Caldwell. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown out rushed Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. It was just a nasty beat down of a supposed power team by a finesse team. Jacobs probably could have won this award on his own.