Filed under: NFL Fans
Posted 2008-09-22T11:40:00+00:00 by Shane Bacon (author feed)Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his face-mask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's our new feature, Studs and Duds:
Here's Week 3 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory.
Studs
Ronnie Brown, RB Miami (17 rushes, 113 yards, 4 TDs, 1 Passing TD) -- Most of the time, if you can find the end zone on five separate occasions and do so against the Patriots, you will most likely make this list. Brown had a combined 48 yards in his first two games but came out of the gates this week like a new man. Ricky Williams need not worry, he added 98 yards to the Dolphins rushing attack.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR Cinc (12 catches, 146 yards, 1 TD) -- Yes, you read that correctly, a Cincinnati Bengal just made the "studs" category and it wasn't even the prison issue! Hous is quickly becoming Carson Palmer's favorite target and for good reason. I think it is worth noting that out of the two known Bengal receivers, the guy with the last name "Johnson" decided to change it and not the guy with the last name "Houshmandzadeh." Sports writers around the country slap their foreheads.
Brady Quinn, QB Clev (Get Those Starting Shoes Ready) -- Hey Brady, you know that stinker you've been expecting from Derek Anderson all this time? Yeah, well, there you go. Also, it will be nice to sweat for the first time since filming that EAS commercial, won't it?
Marshawn Lynch, RB Buf (23 rushes, 83 yards, 2 TDs) -- With the Bills slowly becoming a force in the AFC, Lynch needed a game like this to cement himself as a top-5 back in the league. With Trent Edwards not having his best game, Lynch stepped it up a notch to get by an Oakland team that might not be as bad as we initially thought.
Duds
Randy Moss, WR NE (4 catches, 25 yards) -- Just in case you didn't know, stamps went up since the last time you mailed in a season.
Marvell Smith, Chris Kemoatu, Justin Hartwig, Kendall Simmons, and Willie Colon, Offensive Line, Pitt -- I know the Eagles are good, but is this the game we realize that crowning the Steelers "AFC Champions" in week 2 was a touch premature? Also, nice job blocking guys. Nine sacks, a forced intentional grounding for a safety in the end zone and having your star running back, Willie Parker, gain just 20 yards doesn't exactly scream fun Monday screening day.
Detroit Lions (Football team) -- The bad news? You're 0-3. The bad news? You're 0-3 and have played Atlanta and San Francisco. Even worse news? I thought for a few minutes if "football team" was the appropriate title to put next to your team.
Martin Gramatica, K NO (1-3, Missed game winning kick) -- I think you can add Gramatica on the list of people that continue to make the Broncos look better (see, Hochuli, Ed). With a chance to win the game for the Saints, Gramatica missed wide right after missing a previous kick at the end of the first half.
Who just missed out?
Near Studly: J.T. O'Sullivan, Michael Turner, Frank Gore, and Steve Slaton.
Near Dudly: Jake Delhomme, Saints Offensive Line, Steve Smith, Anderson, Anyone that had to watch the entire Steelers-Eagles game.
