Week 4 primer: Two QBs not better than one (NFC East games only)
by Vinnie Iyer
Sporting News
In NFL circles, it's often been said that when a team needs to decide between two quarterbacks, it really doesn't have one good one. But maybe the Cardinals and the Ravens started a trend last week. Or not.
Matt Leinart remains the starter in Arizona, but Kurt Warner, after rallying the team in the second half against the Ravens, is being seen as the "no-huddle specialist." Likewise, after Kyle Boller came in for Steve McNair and made sure the Ravens beat the Cardinals, he's now a "relief passer."
Are Ken Whisenhunt and Brian Billick on to something? Consider that playing two QBs has often been successful at the college level, most recently with Tim Tebow often relieving Chris Leak and helping Florida win a national championship. There might be a benefit for average- to below-average offenses to go with a QB platoon, but man, it sure feels good to sit back and watch Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady fly solo for the long-term.
Unfortunately for the Bears, Rex Grossman hasn't been that kind of autopilot. But even with the QB change to No. 2 Brian Griese as the starter, they can still find a role for Grossman -- "handoff specialist" with a three-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter. Now, though, it's time to find out if the former Michigan star can win at Detroit -- and what will happen in all of this week's games, starting with the. . . .
Lock of the Week
Dallas over St. Louis. The Rams easily trump the Texans in terms of offensive injuries. Left tackle Orlando Pace and feature back Steven Jackson are the sidelined headliners, but there also are injury issues on the interior line, for wide receiver Isaac Bruce and for quarterback Marc Bulger, who has two broken ribs and a bruised knee. Ouch.
There is nothing hobbling the Cowboys' offense, which we can now call "Football Night in America's Greatest Team Show on Turf," starring Tony Romo and T.O. The Rams' defense won't stop them one bit, and there's no way their offense can catch up. Cowboys 51, Rams 21.
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Rivalry of the Week
Philadelphia at New York Giants. Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning are back doing their things, and that got their respective teams their first wins last week. McNabb's "thing" is chucking the ball around short and deep to build a big lead. Manning's "thing" is rallying his team in the second half with some unflappable play. Both quarterbacks get criticized equally but unfairly, because without them, these teams wouldn't even be in the NFC picture.
Expect McNabb and Manning to have quite a Sunday night duel as each gets a chance to throw against struggling pass defenses. Manning has had surprising help in the backfield from Derrick Ward, but the fact that the Eagles line up Brian Westbrook behind McNabb gives them the edge. Eagles 27, Giants 24.
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Bye this Week
The Redskins certainly needed an extra week to recover from giving up a big lead and being stood up at the goal line against the Giants. Their improved pass defense and pass rush will get a big test from the pass-happy Lions next week. . . .
Sporting News
In NFL circles, it's often been said that when a team needs to decide between two quarterbacks, it really doesn't have one good one. But maybe the Cardinals and the Ravens started a trend last week. Or not.
Matt Leinart remains the starter in Arizona, but Kurt Warner, after rallying the team in the second half against the Ravens, is being seen as the "no-huddle specialist." Likewise, after Kyle Boller came in for Steve McNair and made sure the Ravens beat the Cardinals, he's now a "relief passer."
Are Ken Whisenhunt and Brian Billick on to something? Consider that playing two QBs has often been successful at the college level, most recently with Tim Tebow often relieving Chris Leak and helping Florida win a national championship. There might be a benefit for average- to below-average offenses to go with a QB platoon, but man, it sure feels good to sit back and watch Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady fly solo for the long-term.
Unfortunately for the Bears, Rex Grossman hasn't been that kind of autopilot. But even with the QB change to No. 2 Brian Griese as the starter, they can still find a role for Grossman -- "handoff specialist" with a three-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter. Now, though, it's time to find out if the former Michigan star can win at Detroit -- and what will happen in all of this week's games, starting with the. . . .
Lock of the Week
Dallas over St. Louis. The Rams easily trump the Texans in terms of offensive injuries. Left tackle Orlando Pace and feature back Steven Jackson are the sidelined headliners, but there also are injury issues on the interior line, for wide receiver Isaac Bruce and for quarterback Marc Bulger, who has two broken ribs and a bruised knee. Ouch.
There is nothing hobbling the Cowboys' offense, which we can now call "Football Night in America's Greatest Team Show on Turf," starring Tony Romo and T.O. The Rams' defense won't stop them one bit, and there's no way their offense can catch up. Cowboys 51, Rams 21.
=======
Rivalry of the Week
Philadelphia at New York Giants. Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning are back doing their things, and that got their respective teams their first wins last week. McNabb's "thing" is chucking the ball around short and deep to build a big lead. Manning's "thing" is rallying his team in the second half with some unflappable play. Both quarterbacks get criticized equally but unfairly, because without them, these teams wouldn't even be in the NFC picture.
Expect McNabb and Manning to have quite a Sunday night duel as each gets a chance to throw against struggling pass defenses. Manning has had surprising help in the backfield from Derrick Ward, but the fact that the Eagles line up Brian Westbrook behind McNabb gives them the edge. Eagles 27, Giants 24.
=======
Bye this Week
The Redskins certainly needed an extra week to recover from giving up a big lead and being stood up at the goal line against the Giants. Their improved pass defense and pass rush will get a big test from the pass-happy Lions next week. . . .
posted by The Gryphon at 10:32 PM
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