NFL Week 1 - 9/11 Remembered

To say that the opening remembrance ceremony of 9/11 in the NFL was emotional is a vast understatement.  When the Texans, my home team, introduced the NYFD as honorary captains on the field I thought that was about it.  The firefighters received a nice standing ovation.

Then came Robert De Niro on screen and his introduction.  Taps was played and followed by a moment of silence.  As soon as taps started, I felt the eyes water.  The screen showed all the stadium crowds for the noon opener.  The moment of silence was stunning.  It was quieter that what I ever imagined a 70,000+ crowd could be.  People cried.  People looked stunned.  Immediately after the moment, Clay Walker sang the national anthem.  Right after chants of USA broke out.  The whole affair was moving.  The NFL did a class act and didn't go over the top.  Everything was extremely appropriate on this day of remembrance.

Arena League Game
On the field the action officially kicked off on Thursday night with defending champ Green Bay hosting New Orleans.  After the 3rd quarter it turned into an arena league game.  I'm not a fan of high scoring light up the scoreboard games.  I like a good well played game on both sides of the ball.  Defensively this game was an eyesore.  I turned it off midway through the 3rd.

Hurricane Cam
A hurricane has swirled around Cam Newton since around the SEC championship game.  Critics doubt his pro potential.  Many thought Carolina reached making Newton the overall number one pick.  For one week at least, Newton silenced critics and played an outstanding debut game.  He line only read 22 completions for 422 yards and two TDs. Better yet, Newton staying home and didn't run away at the first sign of trouble.  Its only one game but I hope he continues to silence critics.

 Ravens Maul Steelers
Seriously Pittsburgh, what was that?  Much is made about the Super Bowl loser hangover.  For the Fat Ben Roethlisberger lead Steelers, it's been two titles followed up by two playoff misses the following season.  Fat Ben and Company started early this season.  Seven turnovers and a 35-7 beat down by their fiercest division rivals the Ravens.  I haven't seen the game but I may watch for the entertainment value later this week.

Falcons Grounded
Going in to the season, I think the Atlanta Falcons entered with to many questions on defense.  They really didn't do much to address the concerns after the Packers ran them off the field in the playoffs.  Instead they traded a big chunk of their draft picks to select Julio Jones in the first round.  For week one, the results were unexpected.  Matt Ryan threw for 319 yards and a pick.  The Falcon offense put up some impressive numbers.  Michael Turner rambled for ten yards a carry ten times for 100 yards.  The receiving trio of Jones, Roddy White and Anthony Gonzalez combined for 204 yards.  One glaring state is missing from those numbers.  No one bothered to put the ball in the endzone.

The defense performed as expected.  Jay Cutler threw for 312 yards and two TDs.  Matt Forte was a one man wrecking crew.  He ran for 68 yards on 16 carries and caught 90 yards on 5 receptions that included a 56 yard TD.  

The Falcons management built the team with a fundamental flaw.  They build an offense capable of scoring on the ground with Michael Turner and move the ball through the air with Matt Ryan and his receivers.  The problem occurs when a opponent is able to score a high number of points while the defense holds the Falcons in check.  In this case, the Bears offense slowly built up to a 23-6 lead in the 3rd.  The mighty Falcon offense racked up the yards but the mighter Bear defense only allowed field goals and even scored  TD to make matters worse.  The Falcons were again exposed by a team with balanced with talent on both sides of the ball. 

Ironically, it was the Falcons defense that actually scored the team's sole touchdown.

Chiefs In A World of Hurt
Most fans and pigskin pundits know the preseason means nothing in translating into regular season play.  The majority though thought the Chiefs problems would carry over.  They were exactly right.  What wasn't expected was the week one embarrassment.  The Chiefs lead the league in rushing last season.  The Buffalo Bills were one of the worst five teams in the league.  The Bills ripped the Chiefs 41-7.  Many expected a step back for the Chiefs playing a harder schedule as a division winner.  A step back is fine but not against weaker teams.


Weekly Awards
Line of the Week
32 completions on 48 attempts for 517 yards and 4 TDs - Tom Brady in a Pats 38-24 win over the 'phins.

JaMarcus Russell Player of the Week (formerly the Vince Young Player of the Week)
Donovan McNabb for his outstanding JaMarcus like numbers.  7 for 15 for 39 yards and a touchdown.  Very below average.

Joe Pisarcik Goat of the Week
Tony Romo - when the game is on the line you don't want the ball in Romo's bubbling hands.  First he fumbled in trying to drive into the endzone.  Trying to score isn't a sin in of itself.  Losing the ball in a close game is a mortal sin though.  Romo did better for an encore.  In crunch time he lofted a ball straight into the waiting hands of Darrell Revis.  Finally, in the closing seconds he walks away from the center and is not ready for the ball when it is hiked.  Each sin isn't much alone but when they occur in closing moments they add up to disaster.  Dallas loses the game due to special team blunder and Romo blunders.

NFL 2011 Week One Picks

Again I'm trying for a full season of picks against the spread.  As usual the rules are the same.  First rule, these picks are made only for fun.  In fact I make picks to show why you shouldn't bet.  Second rule is more a disclaimer: make your bets based on my selections at your own risk.  I'm not liable for you following my stupidity.

Now the rules for my game.  In past seasons, I've made my picks based on the link of Fox Sports Odds.  In the past, spreads from four books were given.  This year it's three books.  If all three odds are the same then those are the odds I go with.  If not then majority wins and I pick for or against the majority spread.  In the event that all three odds makers are different, I will post a link to the fourth randomly selected Google search to break any tie.  I also reserve the right not to make a selection on a game.  Finally, if no odds are given I can't make a pick.

Obviously the Thursday opener is in the books so I can't make that pick.  Here we go!

Pittsburgh (+1) at Baltimore  - Always a tough game to call.  There is no love lost between these two teams and the Black and Blue Division second place team might not make the play offs.  In their last two Super Bowl appearances the Steelers have faltered.  Ravens defense is aging.  To me this is a pick em...I'm going with the home team...Ravens

Atlanta at Chicago - all three books have a different spread.  Tie break time.  Google search yielded NFL Odds and broke the tie with the Falcons (-2)  a road favorite. I see a Bears win out right.

Cincinnati (+7) at Cleveland - Both teams are a mess.  Cleveland's a more organized mess but game should be tighter than 7 either way.  Bengals cover.

Indianapolis (+9) at Houston - NFL Odds broke a tie.  Houston whipped Indy at home but lost on the road.  Peyton Manning out for the season, probably, and Arian Foster sits.  To much emotion involved but I think the Texans win handily.

Tennessee (+1) at Jacksonville - I really want to pass on this game.  Both teams are a mess but I think the Titans are going in the opposite direction of the Jags.  Titans

Buffalo (+5) at Kansas City - Chief

Philadelphia (-3.5) at St. Louis - Tons of hype around the Eagles and they might overlook the Rams in week one.  Rams

Carolina (+7) at Arizona - This a dangerous pick.  I want to take a pass but I'm going to take the Cards only because the Panthers are a really lost team at quarterback.

Minnesota (+8.5) at San Diego - my first pass of the season.  Chargers just start to slow out of the gate to warrant a selection.

Seattle (+5) at San Francisco - If the Seahawks would start a warm body at quarterback I'd favor them.  I want to a pass on this too but I'll take 49ers

NY Giants (-3) at Washington - Giants

Dallas (+6) at NY Jets - I think Jets win but Dallas covers.

New England (-7) at Miami - Tony Sparono and crew are already auditioning for next week.  Home crowd gives enough energy to Dolphins at least cover.

Oakland (+3) at Denver - pass

Houston Cougar Game Day 2 vs. North Texas Mean Green

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 Date: September 10, 2011

Time: 6:00 p.m. CDT

Location: Apogee Stadium on UNT Campus

Denton, TX

Radio: 790 AM (Houston, TX)

TV: ESPN3.com

Last Meeting: 1998 Houston 31 UNT 9

All Time Series : UNT leads 7-5

Welcome

The Houston Cougars travel to Denton, TX to help the University of North Texas open their brand spanking new Apogee Stadium.  How or why the Coogs were invited to open up is unknown to me.  Hopefully though it is a glimpse into the future of the Cougars.  With $60 million of $80 million needed to break ground pledges, the Cougars hope to soon open a new stadium too.

There's really not much to say about the game except the Cougars can't afford a let down.  The betting line is 21.5 in favor of the Coogs.  Under former coach Todd Dodge, the Mean Green were a complete mess.  Dodge was fired midseason after a 1-6 start.  The Green finished 3-9 under interim head coach Darryl Dickey.

A new stadium, a new coach, same old results.  UNT dropped the opener to FIU 41-6.

After a big game against UCLA, the Coogs should breeze to an easy victory.  The main thing is to avoid a let down, get a big lead and get the starters out of there to rest and avoid injury.

Not much more to add but Go Coogs!

Avenged - Houston 38 UCLA 34

It wasn't the beat down that the 2009 Rice game was. Nor the resounding thrashing of the 2010 UTEP game but the Houston Cougars extracted a measure of revenge on the UCLA Bruins for an upsetting game in the Rose Bowl last year.

Case Keenum returned to form.  So did the Houston defense.


Sam Khan, Jr. described the crowd best with the term raucous in his article about the Cougars win.   Fans of all ages were fired up for the game.  The student section sold out and was loud and proud.  The announce crowd tallied at 31,144.  Not sure if it's an official sell out but good to see the home town fans show up.  In the past a game like this might get 28,000 or might not.

Cougar of the Game
Case Keenum - He returned as if never injured.  With the Coog WR/RBs scorching the UCLA Bruins, Keenum amassed 310 yards passing and added another 30 running.  He also tossed one TD.  He continues his assault on the NCAA record book.

Troubling Stat of the Game
554 total yard by the Bruins offense. Head coach Kevin Sumlin did say the Bruins offense contained "some of the biggest humans we'll see."  I don't know if he was talking about the big uglies upfront but the Bruin TE and WR corp gave the Cougars fits all game long.  When not hitting his receivers down field for big gains, UCLA quarterback Richard Brehaut gashed them on the ground.

Not all was lost defensively.  Like I started on the Game Day 1 entry, if the defense can make some key stops and give the ball back to the offense, things might turn out different.

First off, despite the yardage, the Coog Mad Dogs recovered one fumble early in the game.  That turnover lead to a touchdown.

In the closing minutes of the first half is where the defense made its key stop and pretty much turned the game in the Cougars favor.  Brehaut completed a 5 yard TD and the Bruins closed the gap to 17-14 with 2:49 left in the half.  In the matter of 3 plays and under a minute the Coogs widen the lead to 24-14.  With 1:56 left, the Bruins had time to work.  The Cougars give up a first down but then hold on the next three plays forcing UCLA to punt.  Keenum and Company take possession with 35 ticks left on the half clock.  They needed only three plays, including a UCLA pass interference call, to put the ball in the endzone to Tyron Carrier.  Houston closes out the half up 31-14 thanks to one defensive stop.

Kicking Is Key
There was a total of one Bruin fans sitting in my section.  His recurring theme during the game was Bruin kicking game is an adventure.  Line drive extra point after line drive extra point, I expected a missed PAT.  It never happened.  Then came the 4th quarter.  Despite the yardage total, the defense made a stop and UCLA decided to kick the FG.  The kicker, Kip Smith, finally put some height on the kick but he still missed.  I knew it was no good as soon as the student section behind the goal posts went wild before the ref's signal.  A blocked extra point finally came after the Bruins cut the Cougar lead to four.  Despite all else, the game came down to two botched kicks by UCLA...a missed FG plus blocked extra point equals the difference in a 38-34 contest.

The Highlights and Other Videos
Game Highlights

Coach Sumlin's Post Game Press Conference


Keenum's Post Game Comments


Coach Sumlin's Motivational Video


UCLA Head Coach Rick Neuhisel's Post Game Comments

Houston Cougar Game Day 1 vs UCLA - Links Dump

Just dumping a few links in anticipation of the Houston vs. UCLA match up  on Saturday.

University of Houston vs. UCLA Game notes

Conference USA Week One Notes

From The Houston Chronicle:

Case Stories:  Keenum Once Kicked A 47 Yard FG

Faith, Family, Friends Help UH's Keenum Bounce Back From Injury

UH, Central Florida Set To Make More Headlines in C-USA

Houston Cougars Game Day 1 - vs. UCLA Bruins

VS 

Date: September 3, 2011
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: John O'Quinn Field at Roberston Stadium
University of Houston
TV: Fox Sports
Radio: 790 AM (Houston)
Last Meeting: 2010 @ UCLA 31 Houston 13

Revenge Match

The Houston Cougars entered the 2010 season with high expectations.  The Cougars had a highly successful 2009 season that saw victories over #5 Oklahoma St., Texas Tech and Mississippi St.  The Cougars took a late season tumble that ended with losses in the Conference USA title game and the Armed Forces Bowl.  The loss to Air Force in the bowl game was especially bitter to fans and star UH QB Case Keenum.  Keenum threw 6 interceptions in the game.

UH opened the 2010 season with resounding wins over Texas St. (68-28) and UTEP (54-24).  The wins also returned the Cougars to the national rankings entering the game with the Bruins.  

However the UTEP game only foreshadowed a more ominous injury against UCLA.  In the 3rd quarter against the Miners, Keenum threw a pick and attempted to make a tackle.  Keenum missed and was injured on the play.  It was later revealed he sustained a concussion.

Fast forward to the next game versus UCLA.  Things were already going bad for the Coogs.  Down 21-3, Keenum threw an interception to Akeem Ayers and again attempted a tackle.  The results of that one player devastated the Houston season.  Keenum and the hopes of Cougar fans everywhere lay crumpled on the turf of the Rose Bowl.

Case Keenum tore his ACL and the hearts of Cougar fans.  The injury ended Keenum's college career, his assault on the UH and NCAA record book, the Cougars hopes of crashing the BCS and dreams of a wonderful season.

To add insult to injury, Keenum's primary back up Cotton Turner sustained a season injury also.  The injuries thrust true freshman Terrance Broadway into the fire and the starting line up a week later.

In the last two seasons, Houston prevailed on revenge games.  In 2008, crosstown arch-rival Rice knocked the Cougars out of the C-USA title game and the 2009 Cougars responded with a 73-14 thrashing of the Owls.  In 2009, UTEP burst the bubble of the Coogs.  The Cougars were coming off back to back wins over #5 Oklahoma St. and Texas Tech then lost to UTEP.  The 2010 Cougars retaliated with a 54-24 beat down.

Coming off a bitter 5-7 season, the Coogs hope to get a second shot at the 2010 season.  Well not really.  The schedule plays much easier than 2010.  However, Case Keenum attained a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA.  The offense returns a high powered attack lead by WRs Patrick Edwards and Tyron Carrier.  The Coogs also return stud running backs Bryce Beall and Michael Hayes.  RB Charles Sims returns after sitting out his sophomore season.  The NCAA ruled Sims ineligible academically for the 2010 season.  Sims (2009) and Beall (2008) are former C-USA Freshman of the Year.

Finally a word about the defense.  If the Coogs defense leaps to the middle tier of NCAA defenses then the season becomes a much more promising one.  The defense doesn't even have to make a giant leap statistically.  If they can make just a few more stops a game and get Keenum and Company the ball back, the Coogs will soar in 2011.

Houston Cougars Basketball - Fall 2010/Spring 2011 Signees - Jherrod Stiggers

Continuing to meet the new Houston Cougar basketball signees, welcome Jherrod Stiggers from Terrell, TX.  Reports list Stiggers as a 200 lb. shooting guard.  According the release from the University, Stiggers averaged 18.4 points per game and named the 15-4A move valuable player.

Stiggers joined the Cougars in the early signing period last fall.

Rivals rates Stiggers a 3-star recruit while Scout ranks him a 2-star recruit.  ESPN also rates Stiggers with 3-stars and gives him a 91 grade.  The 91 score reflects him as a Mid-Major Prospect on the ESPN Grading Scale.  Follow the links for more information on Stiggers.

Jherrod Stiggers Summer Mixtape; University of Houston Commit

 

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