1.How bad was Romo’s collapse on Sunday night?
Momo: This is a classic case of a good guy who crumbles when the lights are the brightest. Romo’s mishaps have always shown in Cowboys biggest games. From the fumble in the playoff game in Seattle, to the multi turnover games that he has, Romo cracks under pressure. Terrell Owens and Dez Bryant have tried and are trying to defend him but the proof is in the pudding: when the chips are down, he wilts under the bright lights. That collapse was bad and that is the biggest reason why the Cowboys will not win with him. In six years, Romo has not made the jump from good to great like Aaron Rodgers has.
KDC: The six years as a starter is what surprised me. I forgot he’d been starting that long. Granted last year was a loss, but . . . QB is the hardest position in any sport to learn - as Mark Sanchez, in Year 3, continues to prove. Except Sanchez is still winning games (or at least not losing them). Same for Flacco in Baltimore and Ryan in Atlanta (though not last week). Romo…I don’t’ know. If the Cowboys were a stock, there’d be no reason to buy them for about the past 8-10 years, yet they’re still considered a blue chip for some reason. Sorry, I still don’t see the character and leadership necessary to be a playoff-caliber team. (Wade Phillps must be chuckling in Houston.)
2.What surprised you in Week 1?
Momo: The way the Bears manhandled the Falcons. For all the preseason hype and offseason moves the Falcons made they did not score an offensive TD. I wonder if Matt Ryan is still feeling the affect of the Packers running through them last season.
KDC: How many good defenses looked so bad. Exhibit A: The Packers had some horrible lapses against New Orleans (8 men in coverage for 3rd & 16 & the Saints still get the first down…?!?) despite playing like heroes when it counted most at the goal line, and the 4th and inches inside the 10. There were plenty of other defenses though. It used to be that the offenses took several weeks to warm up and get in sync, while the defenses just ran around and tackled people. Now I wonder if defenses have gotten so complex, with a dozen different blitz packages, et al, that the defenders are thinking too much out there instead of trusting their teammates and just playing! We’ll see as the next month progresses.
3.Of these teams who should worry the most: Steelers, Chiefs, Colts or Falcons?
Momo: The Colts could be in serious problem if they lose to the Browns, so for one week, I’ll give them a pass for now. The Kansas City Chiefs were the biggest fraud last year and this year will truly expose that. Their record last year was one of the easiest in the league and they had a superstar staff that coached up their talented team. Now with Weis gone and the injuries piling up on the offensive and defensive sides, the Chiefs are going to come back to reality.
KDC: If you check last week, I mentioned the Falcons as a surprise team missing the playoffs. Everyone gave them a pass in the offseason for some reason (perhaps because there’s so little good football news out of Atlanta most years), but they traded too many draft picks for a wide receiver (Julio Jones) & didn’t help their defense out. The offense might start playing lights out again, but I see their opponent’s offense’s doing better than them most weeks.
4.Which of these teams got false hope on Sunday: 49ers, Redskins, Bills or Lions?
Momo: I’m a believer in the Lions if Stafford stays healthy so I will not pick them. The 49ers are ruining their chances of getting Andrew Luck. Every win they get gets them farther away from a ‘true’ franchise quarterback. Alex Smith is not the answer and the franchise needs a real quarterback with all that talent. I know Harbaugh will remake the team in his image but stop winning and get your quarterback.
KDC: Sorry, insight on this one, though I’d have to say the Lions are the team with the most hope in the group (assuming their secondary holds up). They beat the Patriots soundly in Preseason Game 3 (The one that counts). If the secondary holds, then the NFC North might be the toughest division in the land for the first time in decades.
5.Should the Broncos play Tebow?
Momo: Play Tebow because this team is not going anywhere. The Broncos believe they can contend with Orton at quarterback but their offense is a mess. They don’t have a running game and putting Tebow in could jumpstart this team. John Co.(Elway and Fox) should start using special packages for Tebow and start getting him on the field. When he played at the end of last year it inspired the team and energized heir fan base. Get him on the field and see what happens.
KDC: Sometimes a new coach has to prove he’s boss by showing everyone he’ll make a tough choice. Orton, by all accounts, outplayed Tebow & Co, for the starting position in training. I wouldn’t give up on him after one game, but I might after 3. At some point, management is going to have to figure out if he’s their guy or not. So sooner is better than later.
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