welcome back gents....
on your mark...get set...................
plays to come later with found write-ups....
on your mark...get set...................
plays to come later with found write-ups....
Nfl : Week One
- Thread starter TORONTO-VIGILANTE
- Start date
2) Washington -7.0 -110 ( one unit)
cut and pasty time!! :
The 2002 NFL season gets underway with a non-division game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Washington Redskins, who were formerly NFC East rivals. Now that the league has gone through realignment, the Cardinals find themselves in the high-flying NFC West. But none of that matters much to Steve Spurrier, who cares little for anything other than leading his Redskins to the postseason. The former Florida coach has wasted no time putting his personal stamp on the team in the weeks leading up to the season opener while alienating himself from many other coaches with his preseason play-calling decisions.
Spurrier will be under the spotlight, but Washington's lack of a top-notch quarterback could be the team's tragic flaw. The 'Skins also have a new defensive coordinator who is considered one of the best in the game, former Baltimore fixture Marvin Lewis, to oversee LaVar Arrington's unit. The two men will be eager to prove their mettle in their new surroundings, but Arizona's Dave McGinnis has already established himself as a no-nonsense leader in his short time under the desert sun.
Unlike Washington, the Cardinals have a similar look as in years past. Crafty QB Jake Plummer remains the team's identity, and he has a new friend in town with TE Freddie Jones. Arizona has been slowly assembling the right pieces to return to the playoffs, but the fans have not shown much interest. Now that the Cards are among the likes of St. Louis and San Francisco in the West, they will have to improve in a hurry and it all begins Sunday at FedEx Field.
SERIES HISTORY: Washington leads the all-time series 69-42-1 after winning the past three meetings. McGinnis is 1-3 against the Redskins, while Spurrier will try to win his first NFL game. The last time these teams met, Washington RB Stephen Davis ran for 148 yards and the game-winning TD in his team's 20-17 comeback win on January 6.
OPENING DAY SPOTLIGHT: The Redskins are 32-33-4 all-time on opening day, while Arizona is 27-40-1 when beginning the season. McGinnis lost his only prior opening day game.
CARDINALS OFFENSE
Plummer's crew will get a trial by fire in Week 1, locking horns with one of the premier defenses in the NFL. This matchup will be the most intriguing of the game, pitting strength against strength. Offensive coordinator Rich Olson has plenty of tools to work with, not the least of which is Pro Bowl WR David Boston, who set a club record with 1,598 yards and a career-high 98 receptions last season. Plummer won't hide his favoritism of Boston, and the young duo is likely to post gaudy stats along with the other pass-happy squads in the West.
After Plummer's 2001 season, in which he threw for a career-high 18 touchdowns, expectations are as high as ever. The fleet-footed trigger man will have good protection, as Leonard Davis and the offensive line allowed only 29 sacks last season. Starting tackle Anthony Clement will be out for this week's game with a torn triceps, which could be a problem against Lewis' hungry defenders.
Jones gives Plummer his first real threat at tight end in the QB's tenure, which could be a tough challenge for Washington's heralded linebacking corps. The former San Diego TE, who attended high school at Washington's McKinley H.S., has the potential to match his career-high 71 reception total of 2000.
Arizona's offensive question mark is RB Thomas Jones, who has some critics to prove wrong. Jones has made just six career starts in his two NFL seasons, but now he becomes the feature back after the departure of Michael Pittman to Tampa Bay. The Virginia product has great physical skills but has yet to translate his talent into on-field success. For the Cardinals to have a consistent year in 2002, Jones will be relied on heavily.
REDSKINS DEFENSE
Assembling the league's best linebacking corps was just one of Washington's many impressive personnel moves during the offseason. With three All-Pro LBs prowling the center of the defense, the Redskins have one of the most feared units in the game. Arrington, Jeremiah Trotter and Jessie Armstead provide the backbone of the squad, and it won't be easy to move the ball against them. With Arizona's best chances lying with the pass, Lewis will try to use complex blitz schemes to keep Plummer off balance. Since the secondary is also very strong, Lewis has the ability to depend on his DBs to work in man coverage and allow his 'backers to tee off on "The Snake".
Washington's defensive line is also solid, with four veteran players forming the group. Future Hall of Fame DE Bruce Smith is still able to shake things up with his pass rush, while other end Renaldo Wynn was a four-year starter in Jacksonville and brings a consistent presence to the starting unit. Inside, the 'Skins will depend on Dan Wilkinson and Daryl Gardener to stuff the run. This week, Arizona may be forced to throw into Washington's talented secondary due to the Redskins' run defense. Don't forget, Lewis built one of the most fierce run-stopping defenses of all time in Baltimore. He hasn't forgotten how to hold opposing RBs under 100 yards.
The Redskins are also littered with skill in the secondary, highlighted by Champ Bailey and Fred Smoot at corner. The tandem will make Plummer's day a long one when he looks downfield for Boston or MarTay Jenkins. Bailey and Smoot will blanket Arizona's receivers and cut off the passing lanes. The brash Smoot had five interceptions last season as a rookie. The Cardinals won't be able to showcase their new tight end either, since Arrington has the skill to match Jones stride for stride.
REDSKINS OFFENSE
Now that it's time to play for keeps, expect Spurrier to unveil an offense for the ages. He officially named Shane Matthews the starting quarterback by default, which is akin to handing your grandmother the keys to a Ferrari. But Spurrier's offensive mind may be able to overcome his talent deficiencies and find a way to win despite his QB. Matthews isn't a total buffoon, and he is good enough to get the ball to the young receiving corps and hand off to RB Davis.
"Shane has moved the ball the best of our quarterbacks on a consistent basis," Spurrier said reluctantly. "And that's why he's the starter."
Rod Gardner started all 16 games as a rookie in 2001, and he is one to watch as he becomes the No. 1 receiver in Spurrier's heralded offense. The Clemson product will be called on to play like a veteran this year and he may hold the future of the offense in his hands. Matthews will also be trying to get the ball to WR Derrius Thompson, who has earned the starting job as the second receiver.
"Thompson has been more productive than any of our other receivers," said the coach. "Gardner hasn't had a lot of opportunities -- we held him out of a lot of the preseason. But Thompson has made a lot of plays, and he deserves to start. It's as simple as that."
The truth is, Spurrier is realistic that it may take time to implement the offense of his dreams. With such youth at receiver and a shoddy signal-caller, the pass-happy approach may have to wait.
"We're not going to go 80 or 90 yards every time we touch it," Spurrier admitted. "But hopefully we'll make our share of plays when we get the opportunities."
The Redskins may surprise a lot of people when they continue to run the ball with Davis. It's no secret that Spurrier loves to move the ball through the air, but Davis may be the team's best option for the time being. The bruising back ran for a career-high 1,432 yards last season and has not missed a start in three years. No matter how he has schemed this week's game, the coach will have his offense primed for a big output.
"We're excited about playing the Cardinals," Spurrier said. "Their defense looks as good as any team's. We have to be really sharp to win. We're looking forward to it."
CARDINALS DEFENSE
Arizona's defense needs to be prepared for anything this week, and McGinnis is confident that his players are up to the task. The addition of CB Duane Starks from Lewis' system in Baltimore is a significant upgrade at one of last year's weak spots, and he will be crucial against Gardner this week. The coach is also very high on third-year CB David Barrett, who had a stellar preseason.
"I think we upgraded ourselves," said McGinnis. "Duane is established. David Barrett has done nothing but make plays all preseason. He has been in there with the first group and is really continuing what he did last season. He is a playmaker. It has been well documented about David. He knows how to be a professional. I feel confident about D.B. and Duane."
The linebacking corps is underrated, with the young Raynoch Thompson anchoring the staff as one of the hardest hitters in the league. The LBs will need to control the gaps and fill the running lanes this Sunday, since McGinnis believes that Davis may get the bulk of Washington's plays. There could be some big holes to fill, since Arizona's defensive line is porous.
"[Spurrier] may come out and line up in a power I and just hand it off," said McGinnis. "Stephen Davis is one of the best backs in the league. He has been a guy who has been able to carry that team offensively regardless of what the offensive philosophy has been there. He is one of the best backs in the league.
"Spurrier is a very, very smart football coach. Believe me, he knows how to coach ball. He is going to hand it to Stephen Davis. I am not falling into that trap that he is going to throw, throw, throw. That is bull you know what, smell it, don't eat it."
cut and pasty time!! :
The 2002 NFL season gets underway with a non-division game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Washington Redskins, who were formerly NFC East rivals. Now that the league has gone through realignment, the Cardinals find themselves in the high-flying NFC West. But none of that matters much to Steve Spurrier, who cares little for anything other than leading his Redskins to the postseason. The former Florida coach has wasted no time putting his personal stamp on the team in the weeks leading up to the season opener while alienating himself from many other coaches with his preseason play-calling decisions.
Spurrier will be under the spotlight, but Washington's lack of a top-notch quarterback could be the team's tragic flaw. The 'Skins also have a new defensive coordinator who is considered one of the best in the game, former Baltimore fixture Marvin Lewis, to oversee LaVar Arrington's unit. The two men will be eager to prove their mettle in their new surroundings, but Arizona's Dave McGinnis has already established himself as a no-nonsense leader in his short time under the desert sun.
Unlike Washington, the Cardinals have a similar look as in years past. Crafty QB Jake Plummer remains the team's identity, and he has a new friend in town with TE Freddie Jones. Arizona has been slowly assembling the right pieces to return to the playoffs, but the fans have not shown much interest. Now that the Cards are among the likes of St. Louis and San Francisco in the West, they will have to improve in a hurry and it all begins Sunday at FedEx Field.
SERIES HISTORY: Washington leads the all-time series 69-42-1 after winning the past three meetings. McGinnis is 1-3 against the Redskins, while Spurrier will try to win his first NFL game. The last time these teams met, Washington RB Stephen Davis ran for 148 yards and the game-winning TD in his team's 20-17 comeback win on January 6.
OPENING DAY SPOTLIGHT: The Redskins are 32-33-4 all-time on opening day, while Arizona is 27-40-1 when beginning the season. McGinnis lost his only prior opening day game.
CARDINALS OFFENSE
Plummer's crew will get a trial by fire in Week 1, locking horns with one of the premier defenses in the NFL. This matchup will be the most intriguing of the game, pitting strength against strength. Offensive coordinator Rich Olson has plenty of tools to work with, not the least of which is Pro Bowl WR David Boston, who set a club record with 1,598 yards and a career-high 98 receptions last season. Plummer won't hide his favoritism of Boston, and the young duo is likely to post gaudy stats along with the other pass-happy squads in the West.
After Plummer's 2001 season, in which he threw for a career-high 18 touchdowns, expectations are as high as ever. The fleet-footed trigger man will have good protection, as Leonard Davis and the offensive line allowed only 29 sacks last season. Starting tackle Anthony Clement will be out for this week's game with a torn triceps, which could be a problem against Lewis' hungry defenders.
Jones gives Plummer his first real threat at tight end in the QB's tenure, which could be a tough challenge for Washington's heralded linebacking corps. The former San Diego TE, who attended high school at Washington's McKinley H.S., has the potential to match his career-high 71 reception total of 2000.
Arizona's offensive question mark is RB Thomas Jones, who has some critics to prove wrong. Jones has made just six career starts in his two NFL seasons, but now he becomes the feature back after the departure of Michael Pittman to Tampa Bay. The Virginia product has great physical skills but has yet to translate his talent into on-field success. For the Cardinals to have a consistent year in 2002, Jones will be relied on heavily.
REDSKINS DEFENSE
Assembling the league's best linebacking corps was just one of Washington's many impressive personnel moves during the offseason. With three All-Pro LBs prowling the center of the defense, the Redskins have one of the most feared units in the game. Arrington, Jeremiah Trotter and Jessie Armstead provide the backbone of the squad, and it won't be easy to move the ball against them. With Arizona's best chances lying with the pass, Lewis will try to use complex blitz schemes to keep Plummer off balance. Since the secondary is also very strong, Lewis has the ability to depend on his DBs to work in man coverage and allow his 'backers to tee off on "The Snake".
Washington's defensive line is also solid, with four veteran players forming the group. Future Hall of Fame DE Bruce Smith is still able to shake things up with his pass rush, while other end Renaldo Wynn was a four-year starter in Jacksonville and brings a consistent presence to the starting unit. Inside, the 'Skins will depend on Dan Wilkinson and Daryl Gardener to stuff the run. This week, Arizona may be forced to throw into Washington's talented secondary due to the Redskins' run defense. Don't forget, Lewis built one of the most fierce run-stopping defenses of all time in Baltimore. He hasn't forgotten how to hold opposing RBs under 100 yards.
The Redskins are also littered with skill in the secondary, highlighted by Champ Bailey and Fred Smoot at corner. The tandem will make Plummer's day a long one when he looks downfield for Boston or MarTay Jenkins. Bailey and Smoot will blanket Arizona's receivers and cut off the passing lanes. The brash Smoot had five interceptions last season as a rookie. The Cardinals won't be able to showcase their new tight end either, since Arrington has the skill to match Jones stride for stride.
REDSKINS OFFENSE
Now that it's time to play for keeps, expect Spurrier to unveil an offense for the ages. He officially named Shane Matthews the starting quarterback by default, which is akin to handing your grandmother the keys to a Ferrari. But Spurrier's offensive mind may be able to overcome his talent deficiencies and find a way to win despite his QB. Matthews isn't a total buffoon, and he is good enough to get the ball to the young receiving corps and hand off to RB Davis.
"Shane has moved the ball the best of our quarterbacks on a consistent basis," Spurrier said reluctantly. "And that's why he's the starter."
Rod Gardner started all 16 games as a rookie in 2001, and he is one to watch as he becomes the No. 1 receiver in Spurrier's heralded offense. The Clemson product will be called on to play like a veteran this year and he may hold the future of the offense in his hands. Matthews will also be trying to get the ball to WR Derrius Thompson, who has earned the starting job as the second receiver.
"Thompson has been more productive than any of our other receivers," said the coach. "Gardner hasn't had a lot of opportunities -- we held him out of a lot of the preseason. But Thompson has made a lot of plays, and he deserves to start. It's as simple as that."
The truth is, Spurrier is realistic that it may take time to implement the offense of his dreams. With such youth at receiver and a shoddy signal-caller, the pass-happy approach may have to wait.
"We're not going to go 80 or 90 yards every time we touch it," Spurrier admitted. "But hopefully we'll make our share of plays when we get the opportunities."
The Redskins may surprise a lot of people when they continue to run the ball with Davis. It's no secret that Spurrier loves to move the ball through the air, but Davis may be the team's best option for the time being. The bruising back ran for a career-high 1,432 yards last season and has not missed a start in three years. No matter how he has schemed this week's game, the coach will have his offense primed for a big output.
"We're excited about playing the Cardinals," Spurrier said. "Their defense looks as good as any team's. We have to be really sharp to win. We're looking forward to it."
CARDINALS DEFENSE
Arizona's defense needs to be prepared for anything this week, and McGinnis is confident that his players are up to the task. The addition of CB Duane Starks from Lewis' system in Baltimore is a significant upgrade at one of last year's weak spots, and he will be crucial against Gardner this week. The coach is also very high on third-year CB David Barrett, who had a stellar preseason.
"I think we upgraded ourselves," said McGinnis. "Duane is established. David Barrett has done nothing but make plays all preseason. He has been in there with the first group and is really continuing what he did last season. He is a playmaker. It has been well documented about David. He knows how to be a professional. I feel confident about D.B. and Duane."
The linebacking corps is underrated, with the young Raynoch Thompson anchoring the staff as one of the hardest hitters in the league. The LBs will need to control the gaps and fill the running lanes this Sunday, since McGinnis believes that Davis may get the bulk of Washington's plays. There could be some big holes to fill, since Arizona's defensive line is porous.
"[Spurrier] may come out and line up in a power I and just hand it off," said McGinnis. "Stephen Davis is one of the best backs in the league. He has been a guy who has been able to carry that team offensively regardless of what the offensive philosophy has been there. He is one of the best backs in the league.
"Spurrier is a very, very smart football coach. Believe me, he knows how to coach ball. He is going to hand it to Stephen Davis. I am not falling into that trap that he is going to throw, throw, throw. That is bull you know what, smell it, don't eat it."
3) teaser pick:
green bay -1.0 and new orleans +13.0
2 units gets you back 3.42
good luck to all today!
green bay -1.0 and new orleans +13.0
2 units gets you back 3.42
good luck to all today!
I like the teaser alot. I'm scared of the Panthers/Ravens under because I think there could be several defensive scores. Unfortunately I live in North Carolina, so I'm being force fed this piece of crap game.
Yeah Directv is the way to go. Heck, they might even blackout the Panthers games for you!
LOL
J/K
TV: with you on the BAL/CAR under...good luck!
Kron
LOL
J/K
TV: with you on the BAL/CAR under...good luck!
Kron
The game is blacked out for we failed to sellout. Ozzy why dont you drive to the game we could use your support? No...maybe...
I like Washington too, I am a little worried because
Arizona is the no. 2 pick in the Hilton contest.
Arizona is the no. 2 pick in the Hilton contest.
Been watching Hilton contest for the last 3 years
The no.1 pick i use every week.
Cincinnati this week
The no.1 pick i use every week.
Cincinnati this week
RECAP:
3 - 0 = + 5.42 units
great way to start the NFL season.
makes up for a really BAD day in college yesterday...
3 - 0 = + 5.42 units
great way to start the NFL season.
makes up for a really BAD day in college yesterday...
