Week 1 showed us some surprising and interesting results. There were also some notable performances from players around the league. Before moving to the second week, here I would like to list the best performers on week 1 from each position thus making this list as week 1 team of the week. In this first part, I will present the Starting XI on the offense. Let's check them out!
OFFENSE
QB Jon Kitna (CIN)Kitna had a career day in the first game of the season. He threw 5 TDs which was the most in a game in his career. He led the Bengals to beat their division rival Cleveland Browns by the score of 41-10 in the Browns home ground. Some of the Browns fans were said to chant Kitna's name before the end of the game as a sign of disappointment to their team's performance.
HB Clinton Portis (WAS)Even though the Redskins lost to the rookie of the week QB Alex Smith, Portis still managed to have a monstrous day. He piled up 142 total yards from 28 carries, scoring 3 TDs. He should help to ease the pressure on Rex Grossman throughout this season like he did on week 1.
FB Mike Anderson (NYJ)Anderson helped the Jets to tame the Chiefs 33-14 on week 1. Jets running back Michael Turner had a very good outing with the help of their offensive line and of course their fullback Anderson. He recorded 7 pancake blocks in the game which is a quite rare occurance for a fullback to do so.
WR Jon Olinger (ARZ)Olinger played furiously in their game against the Giants, recording more than 200 yards from 6 receptions. He also scored 2 touchdowns in the game. However he still could not help the Cardinals from losing to the Giants. Next week againts the Rams, he might do even more to help the Cards to win.
WR Derrick Mason (DET)Mason became Michael Vick's favorite target in his first regular season game as a lion. These 2 could possibly save their GM's from being fired by the Lions owner. Week 1 is probably to early to make that kind of claim but if Mason, who amassed 187 yards from 7 receptions and 2 of those were touchdowns, can play consistently and become the go to guy for Vick's career resurrection, that won't be too much of a baseless claim. Well let's see how will they fare on week 2.
TE Randy McMichael (MIA)The Dolphins ran away with a close victory against the Broncos and their new GM on week 1. McMichael played quite well in that game recording 3 receptions for 93 total receiving yards and a touchdown. Even though not having an ideal size for a TE (only 6'3"), he proved that he could still be dangerous in the air.
LT David Diehl (MIA)Another dolphin made this week's team, Diehl kept their QB Tim Couch safe from pass rushers coming from his blocking side. With no sack allowed and 8 pancake blocks, he deserves to be on this list to guard the QB blind side.
LG Mike Gandy (CHI)No wonder Alex Smith could play amazingly on week 1. Gandy probably was one of the reasons why. He allowed 0 sack to Smith coming from his blocking assignment while also opening holes for Chicago running game by recording 10 pancake blocks. Those are quite impressive numbers for a young offensive guard in the league.
C Tom Nalen (WAS)Nalen caused a lot of chatter around the league with some trade controversy few months ago. Now he proved that he's worth every bit of those chatters with his week 1 performance by compiling 9 sacks and no sack allowed as a center which is a position that is rarely seen making those kind of numbers.
RG Cooper Carlisle (DEN)Carlisle recorded 8 pancake blocks and allowed 0 sack came from his blocking assignment against Miami. Even though they lost in that game, at least he did not let Bledsoe down.
RT Nat Dorsey (WAS)Another redskin making the list, RT Nat Dorsey, has indicated that this Redskins team is still as at talented as ever. Dorsey recorded 8 pancakes and no sack allowed. As a very young offensive tackle, that speaks volume of what he could become in the future.
That is the Starting XI for week 1 based on their performance on the offensive side of the ball. In the next part, I will present the starting XI on the defense. If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions, please leave those below. Thanks for reading!
