End Zone (Week 5)

1.Has the NFL become too stats oriented?
KDC: You know, it's not that it's becoming too stats oriented, it's that the rule changes make comparing stats almost useless. Everyone is agog at Cam Newton's passing stats, but almost every QB's stats have people agog. So how do you compare those stats against previous years when they're almost average today? I mean, everyone focused on Tom Brady's 500+ yards against Miami in Game 1, but what about Chad Henne's 400+ yard stats against the Patriots in the same game? Between rusty defenses (which may be the real under-covered story of this early NFL season) and the rules changes, about the only stats that matter is the final score and a team's record. Worse, if this continues, then comparing stats for the Hall of Fame is going to be a nightmare because so many of the old barriers are demolished. It'd almost be like everyone running a 3 minute mile now. How do you qualify the greatness of Roger Bannister, et al then?
Momo:Its skewing that way a lot. I think the biggest reason is fantasy football. Fantasy leagues have exploded and now fans want to know every stat known to man about their players so they can set their rosters. Another facet is TV and by that I mean ESPN. They are trying to create a new stat by talking about a quarterback's ability to win along with the passer rating. Its all nonsense because in football what matters at the end of the day is wins and losses. Of course you want a guy who can make big plays on third down, but do numbers really play a role in blown coverage? I think not.

2.More surprising the Lions or the 49ers?
KDC: So Matt Stafford made this big deal about spanking the Patriots in the 3rd exhibition game & how they were due & I was like, "Oh that was so stupid. You're on the Lions." My bad. 5-0 is shocking on so many levels it's almost beyond comprehension. I think they've already won more games this year than in the past 3. So give credit to their D-line, their offensive skill players, and the coaching staff for acting like 0-16 didn't happen 3 years ago and sticking it to everyone they've faced. Worse, they look like they could be a power for years to come!
Momo: Its has to be the 49ers. I was so convinced that they were in the "Suck For Luck" sweepstakes, especially with Harbaugh at the helm. But instead of waiting for Andrew Luck, Harbaugh has made Alex Smith serviceable and instilled toughness (which is something I thought Singletary would do)into this bunch. The crazy part is their top 3 receivers are hurt and they are still winning. I didn't question the Harbaugh move to come to San Francisco but I was sure that it would take time for him to mold this team into his image. Captain Comeback is speeding up the process and making believers out of everyone in the NFL.

3.Jay Cutler said his psyche is being hurt by getting sacked so much, who's to blame for that?
KDC: In previous years, I'd say it was Cutler's fault, but let's be honest - he's being protected by paper. Whose psyche wouldn't be hurt by 300+ pound linemen burying you into the turf. You were hired because of a skillset you can't perform unless you're running for your life. I'm not a fan of Cutler's, but ya gotta feel for him this year.
Momo: This falls squarely on the shoulders of the GM of the Bears and Mike Martz. Jerry Angelo spent money on the defensive side of the ball and decided to leave Cutler protected by in-ept lineman and nameless receivers. Angelo has totally made Cutler fearful when he drops back to pass. Also Martz is at fault because of his refusal to run the football. When you have Matt Forte, a poor man's Marshall Faulk, use him like Faulk. The offense has to be catered to protect Cutler with short passes and dumbs off to Forte. Angelo and Martz could turn Jay Cutler into David Carr with the amount of hits he is taking.

4.Have you ever seen a player so polarizing as Tim Tebow?
KDC: I've seen jerks polarize people into love or hate crowds, but never a guy everyone likes/respects as a person who is seriously questioned on every skill level. The poor guy wasn't helped by being chosen with the Bronco's top pick, but the way he energized the Bronco's (again!) in last week's game against the Chargers should say something about his teammates vote (which seems to be unanimous). Shame on John Fox for not creating a "Tebow package" early on so that the Broncos could have more punch & give Tebow some touches just in case this scenario presented itself.
Momo: There have been guys who have led less than moral lifestyles and they are the ones who have been routinely praised by everyone. What makes Tebow so polarizing is that he wears his religion on his sleeves and right now doing that in this country can really divide people, even in sports. Analyst have picked apart his delivery and accuracy but everyone seems to forget that Tim Tebow is a winner and makes great decisions in crunch time. His teammates love him and the majority of fans love him. Tebow is a positive role model for young athletes and shouldn't be subjected to ridicule because of what he believes. Kurt Warner never had to deal with all this scrutiny and he does the same things that Tebow does. Its simply amazing. Just let the guy play football and see what you have.

5.Are defenses now so complex that it takes them longer to get in sync than offenses?
KDC: Yes! One reason every QB & RB is getting record numbers is because the defenses aren't working together. Either they can't tackle (Eagles), can't mesh (Bears) or can't close people down (Packers), not even counting those teams who lose blowout games (Steelers). Evidently the short off-season made it so much harder on defenses to trust each other that there's always someone open. I don't expect that to change for a few more games actually. Then we'll see how good these offenses really are.
Momo:I think defenses are not in a rhythm yet and as soon as the weather gets colder they will get right on track. A lot of the top defenses are older so maybe it taking players longer to get used to each other. A couple of the top defenses in the Bills and Bengals are playing really well because they are staying in their lanes and not doing too much. Maybe it is because they have a lot of new players and the systems are simplified but as each week progresses you can add more wrinkles and the players can get more comfortable.