Bell Tolls: Demonstration time in the NFL – in more ways than one
A quick read previewing Week 1 in the NFL…
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From the Dept. of Give Us A Drumroll, Please…Seahawks players revealed that they will engage in a demonstration before their opener against the Dolphins that is apparently themed around unification. It’s a nice gesture and the timing is perfect, with Sunday marking the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Just don’t confuse it with a protest, even though one of the Seahawks, Jeremy Lane, took a seat during the national anthem before the preseason finale at Oakland. Doug Baldwin, the passionate receiver, said the idea is to make a statement as a team rather than as individuals, and they surely have that right to be proactive. And hey, the way things have gone in the USA, it’s not a bad look – and surely one that flag-wrapped Commissioner Roger Goodell would approve of -- if the Seahawks can remind the world of how the nation was so united after 9/11. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest to call out police brutality and societal inequalities against African-Americans and other minorities, there are way too many people in this country who don’t give a damn about so many of the principles that our nation is supposed to represent.
Seattle Seahawks have the talent to be tagged as the team to beat this season
Who’s hot?
Dak Prescott. Looks like the Cowboys nailed it with the fourth-round quarterback from Mississippi State, drafted with the vision of maybe developing into a long-term successor for Tony Romo. Well, with Romo on the injury list again with a fractured bone in his back, Prescott is the short-term successor, too. During his sizzling preseason, Prescott eased a lot of concerns by looking the part of the capable backup that Dallas lacked last season. In addition to the physical skills – he can throw and run – Prescott drew raves for being a quick study and a level-headed leader that teammates gravitate to. But now, with the revamped Giants D coming to Texas, the challenge is to perform as everything – including speed, intensity and strategy – turns up a notch during the regular season.
Pressure’s on..
Jimmy Garoppolo. It is one thing to try filling the shoes of Tom Brady, who after 112 consecutive regular season starts dating back to 2008 finally isn’t listed on the Patriots’ injury report. Yet as Brady sits with his four-game Deflategate suspension, it appears that Garoppolo will begin this stint without Rob Gronkowski and two starting O-linemen, blind side protector Nate Solder and guard Jonathan Cooper. Injuries fueled the woes of the O-line last season, but at least Brady – clobbered in taking more than 20 hits during the AFC title game at Denver – was able to sometimes cover for his spotty protection with quick releases and fast tempo in getting off plays. Now, with just one starter (right tackle Marcus Cannon) back in the same spot from the playoff loss, it could be real shaky for the third-year QB making his first start. Adding to the difficulty: The Cardinals are among the NFL’s most active blitz teams, and they have their dynamo back, defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. Too bad Garoppolo can’t just heave it up to the game’s best tight end, Gronkowski, when he’s in trouble. And in case you’re wondering, the Patriots are one snap away from third-round rookie Jacoby Brissett.
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Key matchup
Jordy Nelson vs. Jalen Ramsey. Aaron Rodgers has his deep threat back in Nelson, and boy did he miss him. Nelson’s absence had a ripple effect on the Packers passing game as others, including Randall Cobb, weren’t as effective working underneath. So now Nelson, who led the NFL with seven receiving TDs of at least 20 yards in 2014 before blowing out his ACL in preseason last year, can maybe open things up again – in more ways than one. It figures to be quite the NFL debut for the supremely talented Ramsey, with an opportunity along with the rest of the young Jaguars defense to make quite a statement against one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses.
Next man up
Shaun Hill. The Vikings traded away a first-round pick to land Sam Bradford in the wake of the knee injury that wiped up Teddy Bridgewater’s season, but Mike Zimmer is not ready to turn over the reins yet to the new quarterback. According to reports, Zimmer informed players on Friday that Hill will get the nod for the season opener at Tennessee. That’s understandable, considering that Bradford must come in and absorb Norv Turner’s system and nuances like audibles and line protection calls. Hill, a 15th-year veteran journeyman, can certainly handle it until Bradford is ready. Ironically, the last time Hill played extensively, in St. Louis for nine games in 2014, was the result of a Bradford knee injury.
Rookie watch
Carson Wentz. It’s striking how the Eagles went from a “redshirt year” for Wentz to an opening-day start. On one hand, you’d expect a quarterback drafted second overall (or maybe No. 1 overall, like Rams No. 3 QB Jared Goff) to hit the field quickly. But what’s weird about this, with veteran Chase Daniel in the fold after following new coach Doug Pederson from Kansas City, is that Wentz hasn’t played in a game since the preseason opener because of fractured ribs. Apparently, he’s shown enough on the practice field. Now let’s see, as the games get faster and more intense, whether he’s learned that he can’t be as reckless as he was in his last game action…or he’ll be right back in the infirmary.
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If the playoffs were today…
The Bengals would be still trying to prove that they can get over the hump. It has been five seasons and five playoff berths since Andy Dalton and AJ Green arrived…and zero playoff wins. In a sense, it’s so unfair to jump straight to January in assessing Cincinnati. I mean, Dalton will first have handle all sorts of blitzes from the Jets at the Meadowlands on Sunday. But with the Bengals still viewed as one of the most talented teams in the league, it’s all about how they measure up in January – especially after they let one get away against Pittsburgh due to bonehead blunders in crunch time.
Did you notice?
Another year, another new coordinator for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Dowell Loggains is the third offensive shot-caller in as many years for Cutler, following new Dolphins coach Adam Gase and the Marc Trestman/Aaron Kromer combination. Cutler is surely used to it by now. Since he joined the Bears in 2009, he’s had seven coordinators, including Ron Turner, Mike Martz and Mike Tice.
Stat’s the fact
Robert Griffin III, opening at a familiar venue in Philly on Sunday, marks the Browns’ 25th quarterback since the franchise was revived in 1999. Griffin, connecting with new coach Hue Jackson, is just 26…which is like being an old man on his new team. Cleveland enters the season with an NFL-high 18 players yet to play in an NFL game.
Say what?
From usually-loquacious Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett, 29, when asked to assess the fairness of the Deflategate penalty that sidelines Tom Brady for a quarter of the regular season: “It’s like speaking on the O.J. (Simpson) trial. I wasn’t around for any of that.”
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