Week 1 Shows What The NFL Is Made Of...The Good and the Bad

Observations from yesterday:

All of the sudden, teams are Super Bowl contenders, they've answered all the questions, and we can see, quite clearly, after one week of games where everybody is going to finish. I'm sure we'll see the 49ers and/or the Dolphins on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. There will be some caption like, "Will we see a rematch of Super Bowl XIX? Tim Rattay and Gus Frerotte say yes."

Number one thing that made me sick, besides the Titans losing 34-7 yesterday and looking awful (did Tank Williams make one meaningful tackle in this game?), is how Ben Roethlisberger apparently has "silenced critics." If they expect to be able to do the same things they did against the Ravens, or even a marginally better defensive club than the Titans, I think those critics will be more than happy to speak again. Personally, I'll be a big fan of Roethlisberger if he pulls out a win where the running game isn't working. Right now, he's a guy flying under the radar of an awesome run attack.

I've written a post about it before, but announcers and analysts have made me enjoy watching games 50% less than before with their incessant use of the word "football" to describe everything. In one sentence, it's common to hear someone say "football" 3 or more times. The number one problem I have with it is when they describe "the football game." Tied or a close second is describing a team as "a football team." If Roethlisberger is able to throw the football, his football team may be able to win this football game. How about, If Roethlisberger is able to pass, the Steelers may be able to win. Is there any confusion as to what the topic is when I write it that way? Geez...

Seriously, the analysis of games, the reporting, the self-conscious need to say the right thing (as in the case of the New Orleans coverage) has made it to where I almost don't want to watch anymore. Sideline reporters have been rendered completely useless in my mind. Watching some college play over the weekend during the Florida State/Miami contest, a sideline reporter suddenly thought himself a mystic in describing the Florida State bench after a turnover. "These guys seem deflated, and it's something to watch out for as Miami takes over." All that apparent momentum for Miami, and that deflation of Florida State (the eventual winner), didn't matter in the outcome.

In fact, it's always the function of the sideline guy to report on the mood, as if it matters whatsoever. I have written on many occasions that I'm not a believer in moods being much of a factor--the will to win, coupled with the talent to do so, sprinkled with confidence in your ability, is all I think that does. I have seen numerous "momentum-changers" come up snake-eyes--it's an overrated aspect of winning. Who in the world knows what a team is feeling anyway? Do you take a poll? Usually, I think these guys interview a couple of players and comes up with the information that justifies his job. The only thing we need sideline reporters for is telling us how an injured player is doing. All the other stuff doesn't matter.

Like, for instance, Saints' coach Jim Haslett's decree, "We will win this game." All right! Good for him! How much insight does that give us, really? Are we expecting him to say, "No, we have no chance to win this game."? Or, "No comment."? I would hope he feels his team will win. Hey guys, I will be rich and date supermodels after I'm done with this post!

The air-filling speculation does not hold a candle to valid points--like Paul Maguire last night in discussing the Colts/Ravens after Peyton Manning finally found Marvin Harrison in the end zone--the whole drive would not have happened if the Ravens had not been penalized on third down early. Of course, that crew isn't necessarily Pulitzer-worthy, but when you hear the occasional valid analysis, it's refreshing, no matter how simple it is.

Ultimately, I may go on a rampage in the next few months about this sport, this neo-National Pastime--because this sport has too many overzealous, testosterone-drunk followers. It is a sport that requires toughness and bravery--and those involved with it overemphasize these traits as if we cannot plainly see it, and it has worn on me after only one week.