Around the League- An Overview of the SFL Season- Weeks 1 & 2
Rather than weekly team news updates I, the evil, sinister and cut throat GM Mellon have decided to try and do an overview of the league every week or two. I had plan of trying this as a podcast but to be honest I am still dealing with some things at home that make that a bit more difficult- maybe next season. I will try to make this as real as possible, but I can not promise to do that when it comes to those chumps in my division, GM Rome of the New York Giants, GM Breck of the Philadelphia Eagles or that no good rotten GM Billy the Kid of the Dallas Cowboys. Here we go:
Some Team Surprises
The Tennessee Titans, who were favored by many to win the AFC South find themselves at the bottom of the division with a record of 0-2.
The Minnesota Vikings are also at the bottom of their division with an 0-2 record. Yeah, I had to double check that. Look, this is a team that could finish 14-2 so I don’t expect too many tears to be should for the Purple People Eaters.
The Saint Louis Rams are also an 0-2 team. GM Walstead usually loads his teams with smart veterans so don’t worry by the end of the season he is going to be in the mix of it, fighting for a division title and playoff spot.
The Pittsburg Steelers beat the previously mentioned Titans 26-23 in week 1. GM Tim Miller rode a huge rushing attack led by Rudi Johnson and a very efficient passing game by QB Michael Vick to the week 1 upset. Vick was 15 of 18 for an amazing comp rate of 83%. Nice job Mr. Miller!
Welcome to the league “Scotty From Across the Pond”! I don’t know how the Lions did it but they pulled out a huge victory against the defending conference champion Vikings in week 2. The Vikings had a 330+ yard passing game from QB Dante Culpepper (98+ QBR), a 110 yards rushing, a 28+ min to 15+ min time of possession advantage and went 10 of 16 on 3rd downs for a conversion rate of 62+ %. Whatever you did Scotty, a tip of the hat to you my friend.
GM Nathan Jones, just a couple seasons removed from an SFL championship out gunned Breck and the Eagles in week 2 38-24. Perhaps some within the league would not classify this as a surprise but I’m going to. Breck had just traded for future SFL hall of fame RB Shaun Alexander in order to help with a potential championship run himself. Saints QB, the great David Green (yes that guy) passed for 280 yards, 3 TD’s, 0 int’s and a QBR of 111 vs the Philly Defense. Nice job Nathan!
The Jacksonville Jaguars and GM Brad Barber without their starting QB toppled GM Starman Shapiro and the Arizona Cardinals in week 2, 29-23. Veteran backup QB Trent Edwards laced ups his cleats and led the Jags to a big victory against the Cardinals and that amazing secondary. I have also been a victim by QB Edwards heroics in the past so I know how this feels. Edwards went 6 of 11 doe 89 yards, 1 TD, 0 int and only a single sack with a QBR of 111. WR’s Kassim Osgreat and Plaxico Burress combined for 16 catches 187 yards and a TD against the dream team of CB’s and safeties, helping to secure the victory for the Jags.
Players Off to a Great Start
RB Clifton Smith- Dallas Cowboys
Smith had one of the best games ever played in SFL history. He had 24 carries for 343 yards and 4 TD’s in the Cowboys week 1 victory. What else can be said. These stats simply speak for themselves. Wow, wow, wow and oh yeah, Wow!
MLB Brian Urlacher- Dallas Cowboy
This dude just sucks. Why did I say this? It’s because I have to face him at least twice per season. Urlacher had a monster game vs the Bucs by totaling 12 TAK, 3 TFL, 1 SCK, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 DFL and 1 TD. Simply amazing and a huge reason as to why the Cowboys won vs the Bucs.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson- New England Patriots
Welcome to your new team LT! Tomlinson ran 22 times for 180 yards and a TD in week 1 for the Pats.
RB Rudi Johnson- Pittsburg Steelers
Rudi totaled 167 rushing yards and a TD on just 17 carries in the Steelers week 1 victory over the Titans. Rudi did have a fumble but we won’t count that against him too much since his team got the win.
RB De Shaun Foster- New York Giants
Foster ran 24 times for 143 yards and a TD in the Giants big win against the division rival Washington Redskins in week 1.
RB Beanie Wells- rookie- Baltimore Ravens
The rookie, Wells had a great first game. Wells ran 33 times for 131 yards in the Ravens week 1 victory vs the Chiefs.
LT David Diehl- Baltimore Ravens
Diehl led the way for rookie RB Beanie Wells as he totaled 12 pancakes and 0 sacks in week 1’s Ravens victory.
K Seth Marler- Baltimore Ravens
Marler was a perfect 7 for 7 in FG’s during week 1’s gave versus the Chiefs.
QB Ben Roethlisberger- Denver Broncos
Big Ben was nearly perfect as he went 23 of 31 for a comp rate of 74%, 3 TD’s, 0 int’s and a QBR of 142.7 during the Broncos victory over the Bengals in week 1.
QB Phillip Rivers- Cleveland Browns
In week 1 Rivers went 22 of 33 passing for a comp rate of 66%, 351 yards, 4 TD’s and a QBR of 129. Rivers did have an int but since the Browns won the game we will overlook this one error.
WR Billy McMullen- Cleveland Browns
In week 1’s victory against the Vikings, McMullen caught 6 passes for 164 yards and a TD. McMullen was a huge reason the Browns were able to beat the Vikings.
CB Derrick Strait- Chicago Bears
Strait made 1 TAK and 2 DFL in week 1’s big win vs the Packers. It was Strait’s 2 INT’s though that really sealed the deal for the Bears.
WR Koren Robinson- Green Bay Packers
It was in a losing effort but Koren had a beauty of a game by catching 8 passes for 172 yards and a TD versus the Bears.
CB Kelvin Hayden- Green Bay Packers
Even though they lost, the Packers have two players who made the list this week. Hayden had a big game by making 6 TAK, 1 FF, 2 INT’s, 2 DFL & 1 TD. Hayyden earned a mention here even if the Packers lost the divisional game in week 1 vs the Bears.
LE Robert Ayers- rookie- Oakland Raiders
It might not be often where a player makes this list by just have 2 sacks but rookie Ayers made it this time. Ayers replaced the SFL Icon DE Jeavon Kearse and did it marvelously in week 1 by having 3 TAK, 2 SCK and a FF. Watch our SFL, Ayers may make GM’s forget all about who played LE in Oakland before him (Kearse). Ayers was a big reason the Raiders beat the Chargers in week 1.
SS Kurt Campbell- Oakland Raiders
Campbell earns the mention here for his 5 DFL. Yes, 5 DFL for a SS. He also added 3 TAK for the Raiders in their week 1 victory over the Chargers. Campbell totals only 6 DFL last season to put this into perspective.
WR Todd Watkins- San Francisco 49’ers
Even though the 49’ers lost vs the Cards, Watkins tore the famed Cardinals CB’s a new one by catching 7 passes for 171 yards and a TD.
WR Robert Meachem- Arizona Cardinals
Meachem proved to be too much for the 49’ers. Meachem caught 5 passes for 175 yards and a pair of TD’s during the Cards victory in week 1.
KR Brandon Williams- Philadelphia Eagles
Williams had 4 KR for 169 yards including one that went for a 98 yard TD in the Eagles week 1 victory vs the Carolina Panthers. Nice job Mr. Williams.
MLB Landon Johnson- Philadelphia Eagles
Johnson had a monster game which helped the Eagles beat the Panthers. He had 10 TAK, 1 DFL and 2 INT’s.
CB Nate Clements- Dallas Cowboys
Clements had 7 TAK, 1 FF, 1 DFL and 1 INT taken back for 59 yards during the Cowboys week 2 victory vs the Giants.
RE Jason Taylor- Dallas Cowboys
This veteran DE totaled 5 TAK, 1 TFL, 2 SCK, 2 DFL and 1 INT helping the Cowboys start 2-0.
CB Derek Cox- rookie- Dallas Cowboys
Boy oh boy, it looks like GM Cook hit paydirt this offseason with the drafting of CB Cox. In week 2’s victory he made 3 TAK, 1 TFL, 3 DFL, 1 INT and 1 TD during week 2’s big victory over the Giants.
CB Fred Smoot- Buffalo Bills
Smoot made only 1 TAK during the Bills week 2 victory against the Bucs but he also added 1 DFL and 2 INT’s.
QB Charlie Whitehurst- Miami Dolphins
Whitehurst went 21 of 32 passing for a comp rate of 65% for 315 yards, 4 TD and a QBR of 137 during the Dolphins week 2 victory vs the Colts.
WR Calvin Johnson- Miami Dolphins
Calvin caught 8 passes for 127 yards and a set, yes 3 TD’s during he week 2 Dolphin victory.
MLB Nick Barnett- Miami Dolphins
Barnett totaled 7 TAK, 2 TFL and 5 DFL in week 2. Yes, a MLB who totaled 5 DFL- what a game.
KR Chris Brown- Washington Redskins
Brown had 5 KR for 198 yards including a 97 yard TD in week 2’s victory vs the Rams.
CB Alan Zemaitis- Washington Redskins
Zemaitis had a team leading 7 TAK, 3 DFL and 1 INT which was taken back 39 yards in the Redskins victory vs the Rams in week 2.
CB David Irons- Washington Redskins
Irons totaled 6 TAK, 3 DFL, 1 INT which was taken back 70 yards for a TD during the Redskins week 2 win.
WR Antonio Bryant- Cleveland Brown
Bryant made 7 catches for 136 yards and a TD in the Browns week 2 victory vs the Denver Broncos.
ROLB Takeo Spikes- Cleveland Browns
Spikes totaled 9 TAK, 2 TFL, 1 FF and 1 TD in the Browns week 2 victory.
WR Cory Rodgers- San Diego Chargers
Rodgers caught 6 passes for 135 yards and a TD in the Chargers week 2 victory vs the Ravens.
KR Brian Westbrook- San Diego Chargers
Westbrook had 4 KR for 165 yards and a TD of 101 yards during the Chargers week 2 win vs the Ravens. The 101 yard KR return tied Westbrook for the longest SFL KR of all time.
RB Jonathan Stewart- Seattle Seahawks
Stewart ran 23 times for 167 yards and 2 TD’s in the Seahawks week 2 victory against the 49’ers.
WR Kyle Orton- San Francisco 49’ers
Orton went 23 for 35 for a comp rate of 65%, 357 yards, 2 TD, 0 int and QBR of 118 in week 2. Even though the 49’ers lost Orton had a great game earning him the mention here.
WR Sidney Rice- San Francisco 49’ers
Rice caught 9 passes for 184 yards and a TD. Again, the 49’ers lost but Rice, like Orton had a great game.
QB Aaron Brooks- Detroit Lions
Brooks went 14 of 24 for a comp rate of 58% for 285 yards, 3 TD, 1 int & a QBR of 122 in the Lions huge victory against the defending conference champion Minnesota Vikings in week 2.
RB Matt Forte- Oakland Raiders
Forte ran 32 times for 139 yards and 3 TD’s in the Raiders week 2 victory vs the division rival Kansas City Chiefs.
LY Claue Terrell- Oakland Raiders
Terrell led the way for RB Forte in week 2’s victory with 12 pancakes.
CB Antoine Winfield- Oakland Raiders
Winfiled totaled 3 TAK, 1 DFL and a pair of INT during the Raiders week 2 victory.
ROLB Johnny Baldwin- Oakland Raiders
Baldwin had a major game for the Raiders , helping them to their week 2 victory. He had a team high 8 TAK, 2 TFL, 2 SCK, 1 DFL and 1 Iint.
QB Jake Plummer- New York Jets
This is a tough one to summarize but Plummer was doing amazing before getting injured in the Jets week 2 loss. He was 12 of 18 passing for a comp rate of 66%, threw for 224 yards, 3 TD, 0 int an a QBR of 149.
SS Michael Hawkins- Green Bay Packers
Hawkins made 7 TAK, 1 DFL and had a pair on Int’s taken back 40 yards in Packers week 2 victory vs the Cincinnati Bengals.
QB David Carr- Carolina Panthers
Carr went 15 of 25 for a comp rate of 60%, 241 yards passing, 2 TD, 0 int and a QBR of 118 during the Panthers week 2 victory over the divisional rival Atlanta Falcons.
CB Antrel Rolle- Jacksonville Jaguars
Rolle made 6 TAK, 3 DFL & 1 Int taken back 22 yards for a TD during the Jags week 2 victory against the Arizona Caridnals.
CB Chris McAlister- Jacksonville Jaguars
The veteran McAlister had 4 TAK and a pair of Int’s during the Jags big wek 2 win.
BU QB Trent Edwards- Jacksonville Jaguars
Edwards came in when QB Charlie Frye was injured. Edwards led the Jags to the big win by going 6 of 11 passing, for a comp rate of 54%, 89 yards, 1 TD and a QBR of 111.
QB David Greene- New Orleans Saints
Greene led the Saints to a victory over the Eagles in week 2 by going 20 of 35 passing for a comp rate of 57%, 281 yards, 3 TD and a QBR of 111.
Running List Of Unofficial Players of the Week
WEEK 1:
Clifton Smith- Dallas Cowboys
WEEK 2:
Matt Forte- Oakland Raiders
WEEK 3: TBD
WEEK 4: TBD
WEEK 5: TBD
WEEK 6: TBD
WEEK 7: TBD
WEEK 8: TBD
WEEK 9: TBD
WEEK 10: TBD
WEEK 11: TBD
WEEK 12: TBD
WEEK 13: TBD
WEEK 14: TBD
WEEK 15: TBD
WEEK 16: TBD
WEEK 17: TBD
Who Didn’t Do So Hot
It’s a little too hard to do a double week of defenders. I will catch those up as I go.
RB Brandon Jacobs- Miami Dolphins (through 2 games)
33 rushes, 92 yards, 2.7 yds per carry
WR Ramses Barden- Washington Redskins (Drafted 1.23)
3 catches, 41 yards, 0 TD
LE Jevon Kearse- Washington Redskins
0 tackles for loss, 0 sacks
QB Mark Sanchez- Indianapolis Colts (Drafted 1.7)
4 pass attempts, 25% comp rate, 0 yards passing, 0 TD, 39.6 QBR
TE Jared Cook- Indianapolis Colts (Drafted 1.8 )
5 catches, 51 yards, 0 TD
WR Percy Harvin- New England Patriots (Drafted 1.22)
0 catches, 0 yards
QB Brian Brohm- Jacksonville Jaguars
45% comp rate, 40 yards passing, 0 TD, 17.2 QBR
QB Byron Leftwhich- Kansas City Chiefs
29% comp rate, 202 yards, 1 TD vs 3 Int, 25.4 QBR
WR Braylon Edwards- Dallas Cowboys
4 catches, 27 yards receiving
RB Shaun Alexander- Philadelphia Eagles
16 rushes, 663 yards, 0 TD
RB Ryan Torain- Detroit Lions
6 russhes, 6 yards, 0 TD, 1.0 yards per carry
QB Tim Couch- Atlanta Falcons
40% comp rate, 2 TD vs 3 Int, 49.3 QBR
TE Tony Gonzalez- Atlanta Falcons
5 catches, 48 yards, 0 TD
LG Langston Walker- Carolina Panthers
2 pancakes vs 3 sacks allowed
QB Marc Bulger- Tampa Bay Bucs
40% comp rate, 2 TD vs 8 Int, 34.4 QBR
RT Marcus McNeil- Tampa Bay Bucs
8 pancakes vs 3 sacks allowed
LT Joe Thomas- Tampa Bay Bucs (Drafted 1.1 in 2007)
7 pancakes vs 2 sacks allowed
QB Drew Brees- St Louis Rams
46.6% comp rating, 1 TD vs 2 Int, 60.1 QBR
