It's threads like this that make me glad to be a Packers fan!
Seriously, so far this year I've noticed one big difference, compared to most years: The number of fumbles, turnovers and general screw-ups is WAY up, including from teams you don't usually expect such things from. The first week is always a bit that way, as teams are still "finding their rhythm" and since they don't have tape of the other teams to study and prepare from, but this week seems worse than usual.
A few guys and teams are playing great ball, maybe better than expected... but they're in the tiny minority. Even Tony Romo, after three good quarters, screwed up big-time to lose a game. The first time in umpteen years that the Cowboys have lost when they've been up by 14 points in the last quarter. There were some exciting plays from the Jets, but geez --that's not typical NFL play, from either team!
I "blame" this on the lockout and the shortened preparation time for the season. I think we're seeing something in the first week of the season that we'd normally see in the first 2-3 weeks of practice, not regular play. Also, there seem to be a good number of teams with new people in key positions (even coach, QB), who haven't had time to fully learn/adjust, which further compounds the problem.
It makes for some very exciting football to watch, so long as it doesn't lead to injuries. It could also lead to some surprising standings and results this year, if it takes too long to sort through, or gives opportunities and impetus to people beyond what they'd normally have.
Also, since the NFL moved the kickoff starting line back to where it used to be, there have been very few runbacks. Except, of course, from Randall Cobb, who --as a rookie in his first NFL game ever, and as the youngest/first NFL player born in the 90s-- defied his coach's instructions to tie the NFL record for longest kickoff return ever (108 yards!), but he's different. In his case, God gave him special dispensation to run. Besides, he's a Packer. You know they must be God's favorite team, when they do this even against the
Saints, of all teams.
Cam Newton had a phenomenal first outing, but how many of those yards were due to a defense that has still to "gel"? When will the "dream team" start to "gel" --if ever? Maybe they should re-name themselves the "nightmare team"? And what gives with the Steelers, anyway? Lots of surprises so far this year, but I'm optimistic things will sort themselves out in the coming few weeks. Just hope it's not too late to skew the season game totals too far into wacky-ville.
But I'm not worried about the Pack. They had a longer season than most teams, with a lot of returning veterans and guys coming off of I.R., so with fewer new faces to break in and less time off the field, the off-season seems to have affected them less. The new faces they did draft included a bit of holy --not to mention holy-moley and holy smokes!-- dispensation, it seems, so even that was a plus.
I don't want to come across as too much of a Packers "homer," though; I really do wish all the other teams great seasons, and am glad to see people like Grossman performing better-than-expected. I feel sorry that they won't win the Superbowl (the Pack needs to repeat), but otherwise wish them all luck. A season like this one, with a lot of surprises (in both good and bad directions) is a more exciting, fun one to watch!
Didn't mean to thread-crap (if I did, by digressing from the game in the OP), but there's hardly anyone I can find in Hong Kong who wants to discuss NFL games. They're all too into the current Rugby World Cup, and the rest of the time it's Manchester United and their ilk, ad nauseum... except for the South Asians, who talk cricket, cricket, and more cricket. NFL? I'm in the wastelands... :sigh:
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