~ The SFL 2011 season hits the quarter turn this week... we should have a better feel of what was [2010] and what might be [2011]. The BYE weeks start coming into play week 5 also as does the first Progression period. ~
Did You Know? Only once has a team that was the worst (the previous season) had a winning record and made the playoffs the following season.
2003: Cardinals draft QB Carson Palmer and go 5-11
2004: Titans draft QB Philip Rivers and go 3-13
2005: Jaguars trade the pick and go 9-7 (Wild Card)
2006: Cowboys trade the pick and go 8-8
2007: Buccaneers draft RT Joe Thomas and go 4-12
2008: Giants trade the pick and go 4-12
2009: Bills trade the pick and go 8-8
2010: Jaguars draft WR Dez Bryant and go 5-11
2001: Colts draft WR Jonathan Baldwin… TBD
Also, RT Leonard Davis set an SFL record week 3 of the 2011 season... 5 dropped passes!
Hot Seat Watch [3-3]
BUF [2-1] – Lost 38-44 against the New England Patriots - a game that had 59 total points scored in the 2nd QTR. Offensively, the Bills saw QB Jake Delhomme throw 5 TD passes in the defeat. The Bills struggled to convert on 3rd down and lost both the turnover battle and time of possession.
PIT [2-1] – Lost 14-39 against the undefeated Indianapolis Colts. Only one stat line mattered in this game... the Steelers had 6 turnovers [5 INTs and 1 FUMB]. A shout out to the play of WR Jordy Nelson [8 receptions for 118 yards and a TD] & LOLB Manny Lawson [5 tackles, 1 for a loss and 2 sacks].
DAL [1-2] – Wins 35-31 against the divisional rival Washington Redskins… QB Donovan MvNabb was lights out completing 20 of 35 passes for 352 yards and 4 TDs [1 INT]. The game was in question late 4th QTR, but McNabb found WR Ronald Curry for a 42 yard TD pass with just 1:11 remaining in the game.
DET [2-1] – Wins 35-14 against the divisional rival Minnesota Vikings. Is it just me, or is Bradford to Briscoe going to be a common theme this season? With a QB rating of 140.8 Bradford connected with WR Briscoe 6 times for 155 yards [2 TDs].
SF [2-1] – Wins 39-37 and has the Bengals questioning the Acquistion of QB Peyton Manning? The 49ers dominated the time of possession and won the turnover battle... CB Joe Hadden had 2 INT's and returned one of them for a TD.
SEA [1-2] – Lost 31-40 to the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks knocked starting QB Rex Grossman out of the game early... but backup QB Mark Sanchez had a great day completing 10 of 20 passes for 248 yards and 3 TDs. The Seahawks actually dominated the 1st half and were done in by allowing 17 points in the 4th QTR.
Offensive Player of the Week AFC QB Ben Rothlisbergr [DEN]
15 of 24 for 322 yards and 4 TDs with a QB rating of 145.8
NFC QB Donovan McNabb [DAL]
20 of 35 for 352 yards and 4 TDs [1 INT] with a QB rating of 117.8
Defensive Player of the Week AFC CB Champ Bailey [IND]
7 tackles, fumble recovery, 2 INTs and 3 deflections
NFC CB Joe Hadden [SF]
2 tackles and 2 INTs with a TD
Special Teams K Mike VanderJagt [IND]
6 for 6 on FG [44/49/50/52/51/49]
Rookie Watch Titans HB Alex Green [5.01] – 22 carries for 162 yards [long = 71] in a LOSS
Dolphins HB Daniel Thomas [1.15] – 31 carries for 208 yards [long = 72] and a TD in a WIN
Saints HB Mikel LeShore [1.24] – 19 carries for 181 yards and 2 TDs [long = 72] in a WIN
Colts WR Jonathan Baldwin [1.01] – 6 receptions for 128 yards [55] and a TD in a WIN
