Got my e-mail giving me my password for the Giants v Dolphins game at Wembley. Undecided whether I'll actually go, as its a fair bit of money for two teams I have little interest in, but I've until Wednesday to decide. I think a few people on here said they might be going.
Watched the first half of the Saints @ the Colts last night. Comfortable win for the Colts in the end, although it was 10-10 when I went to bed. The Colts had however established the run, which inevitably was going to open up space for Manning for the passing game. Neither Manning nor Brees seemed to quite got their timing yet.
Looking forward to the Ravens @ the Bengals on Monday night. This is clearly the biggest game of the weekend as its the Monday night game. It is also a division rivalry (unlike Indianapolis v New Orleans, or San Diego v Chicago, which Uxbridge delusionally thinks is a bigger game), and in the toughest division in the NFL at that. It also pits one of the top defences in Baltimore, with players like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs against one of the top offences in Cincinnati, with Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson and TJ Housmanzadeh.
Cinci, had a pretty tough pre-season. Not one of their 2005 first day draft picks will make it onto the pitch. First rounder David Pollack is still suffering from a career-threatening neck injury and second and third round choices Odell Thurman and Chris Henry have been suspended for a season and 8 games respectively (2006 3rd round pick Frostee Rucker is also suspended for the opener). Meanwhile 2007 second round choice Kenny Irons picked up a season ending injury in only his 4th carry - Irons was only picked as a replacement for injured 2004 first round choice Chris Perry. In addition their offensive line is pretty smashed up with their elite tackles Levi Jones and future hall of famer Willie Anderson both barely practising.
The Ravens lost Adalius Thomas to free agency, but Jarrett Johnson is apparently looking like stepping up as his replacement. They've also strengthened with the addition of RB Willis Magahee with his breakaway speed and pass-catching threat (much like what the Bengals were after with their first round pick of Chris Perry in 2004 and their second round pick of Kenny Irons in 2007) to replace Jamal Lewis. Much will depend on how MaGahee and aged QB Steve McNair fare, as the Ravens look like having the defence but question marks over their offence.
Watched the first half of the Saints @ the Colts last night. Comfortable win for the Colts in the end, although it was 10-10 when I went to bed. The Colts had however established the run, which inevitably was going to open up space for Manning for the passing game. Neither Manning nor Brees seemed to quite got their timing yet.
Looking forward to the Ravens @ the Bengals on Monday night. This is clearly the biggest game of the weekend as its the Monday night game. It is also a division rivalry (unlike Indianapolis v New Orleans, or San Diego v Chicago, which Uxbridge delusionally thinks is a bigger game), and in the toughest division in the NFL at that. It also pits one of the top defences in Baltimore, with players like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs against one of the top offences in Cincinnati, with Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson and TJ Housmanzadeh.
Cinci, had a pretty tough pre-season. Not one of their 2005 first day draft picks will make it onto the pitch. First rounder David Pollack is still suffering from a career-threatening neck injury and second and third round choices Odell Thurman and Chris Henry have been suspended for a season and 8 games respectively (2006 3rd round pick Frostee Rucker is also suspended for the opener). Meanwhile 2007 second round choice Kenny Irons picked up a season ending injury in only his 4th carry - Irons was only picked as a replacement for injured 2004 first round choice Chris Perry. In addition their offensive line is pretty smashed up with their elite tackles Levi Jones and future hall of famer Willie Anderson both barely practising.
The Ravens lost Adalius Thomas to free agency, but Jarrett Johnson is apparently looking like stepping up as his replacement. They've also strengthened with the addition of RB Willis Magahee with his breakaway speed and pass-catching threat (much like what the Bengals were after with their first round pick of Chris Perry in 2004 and their second round pick of Kenny Irons in 2007) to replace Jamal Lewis. Much will depend on how MaGahee and aged QB Steve McNair fare, as the Ravens look like having the defence but question marks over their offence.