Terry Bradshaw Reflects On Week 2
We witnessed a damn good game today in Philadelphia. I was blown away by how the Eagles built up a 24-7 lead going into the fourth quarter. They were running the football, Donovan McNabb was involving everybody in the passing game, and their defense was all over the Giants.
But it never fails in this league. One thing you never forget is that coaches work on what you did and try to make adjustments at halftime. Well, the Giants did a better job on the Eagles in the second half. Eli Manning was very impressive in the fourth quarter and overtime after being sacked eight times.
When you play like that, the team then knows it has a very good player. I mean, it takes something to overcome adversity on the road against a very big division rival. Is this a breakout game for Eli? I don't know yet. He could go in the tank next week in Seattle. But I was impressed. I was totally impressed.
I was surprised that the Eagles tried to sit on the lead. But I think we all knew that Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was going to blitz them on what became the final play of the game. The ball was right at being a 40-yard field goal. They get to Manning, maybe the Eagles put the Giants out of range.
Philadelphia had bump and run on the outside and nine people on the inside. I saw the blitz; Manning saw the blitz. The only adjustment that the Eagles made was that they took their cornerbacks and backed them off, making the receivers run to catch up with them. The play was really impressive.
At 6-foot-5, Plaxico Burress had size on his side. Manning called a play that they knew would work against what Jim Johnson would do. Now, it was a good decision to get them out of field-goal range — I agree with Johnson's strategy — it's just that Plaxico Burress out-hustled Sheldon Brown to the football. Plaxico took advantage of his height and cut inside to get the ball.
The Saints go marching in
This Green Bay loss was not about Brett Favre. This is about Sean Payton, the Saints' new head coach, and the way the Saints and the defense are playing. Payton is a young coach who took over a horrific football team. For him to win two games on the road anytime that's big. Heck, this is the first time the Saints have ever won their first two games on the road.
For Favre, I know we had a lot to say about his career on our show. But whenever you stay in the league as long as he has, eventually you're team is going to be rebuilding; you're not going to play your best football. When that happens, you're going to leave yourself wide open for people like us and others to have opinions on your performance. I think we all agree that the team surrounding him is no good. It's not a playoff-caliber team. We know that he's going to try to make things happen and he'll hurt the team more than it helps him. I know it galls him but that's the price you pay for coming back. He should have retired.
Down and out Panthers
I don't care who you are. When you have three new starters on the offensive line and don't have Steve Smith and your best linebacker, well, things aren't going to go well. We could be seeing a team that could explode on us before they get all together and get everybody healthy again. I mean, they could be out of the playoff picture. They've lost two in a row. Who would have thought that? Where is that defense that's supposed to be so awesome? Are you really afraid of Minnesota fully loaded? I mean Jake Delhomme isn't making enough things happen. The big playmaker is out, but they still aren't doing enough to win. I'm really shocked.
These teams look to be for real
The Vikings win the way I like to see teams win. I'm old school. They run the ball. They are playing physical football. They don't panic. They didn't panic on the road in Washington and they didn't panic against a supposedly superior team in Carolina. They act like they're going to win. I think new head coach Brad Childress has brought a tough mentality to that team. Who would have thought that? Who would have thought that the Vikings would be 2-0 and the Panthers 0-2?
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| Ray Lewis and the Ravens are looking good at 2-0. (Matthew Gunby / Associated Press) |
The Ravens sure look like they are back. Their defense has been awesome two weeks in a row. Steve McNair has brought so much stability to that team, just like Brad Johnson has done in Minnesota. They both have a calming effect on their team. It's like what I said on the pr-game show when I was talking about Tequila Sunrise, my old lead dog.
Tequila Sunrise is a good lead dog and everybody follows her. She's a dog with great character which means you can trust her. So, you follow her. Of course, Howie had a great line when I said that. He said they are all male dogs and that's why they followed her. But the key with guys like Johnson and McNair is that you just turn these old dogs loose and let them do their thing.
Tequila Sunrise will take care of everybody. She won't make mistakes. She will throw the ball away. She won't cross the wrong creek. She won't bark up the wrong tree. You know, you can just depend on her. That's what these guys do. McNair and Johnson, when given the chance, they will make plays.
It was all about money, man. That's why Tennessee got rid of McNair. In another week or so, the Titans should simply put the young kid, Vince Young, in there, and let it go. Where the Titans screwed up was playing Billy Volek as long as they did in training camp and the preseason. I mean, whose decision was that? Whoever pulled the call on that, wasting practice time and games with Volek while really getting ready to sign and play Kerry Collins was really stupid.
One final word on Branch
There are some players in the New England locker room who thought Deion Branch should have reported to camp and taken the deal. Obviously, Branch won out in this deal because he got a lot more than the $6 million annual salary New England had on the table. He's in Seattle for the ton of money.
But you're also are messing with your quarterback, Tom Brady, and taking away his big weapon. Branch is a big-gamer, always has been. Sometimes, these coaches get to thinking it's about them, that they can get this done. If they don't get to the playoffs and they end up looking for a wide receiver in next year's draft, wouldn't you rather pay Branch his money than hope that kid you draft is going to be the answer?
I disagree with Bill Belichick. I think he made a big mistake by unloading this kid, especially a good kid, a high-character guy. Branch has always been known as a good work-ethic guy who produces in big games. I hate to say this, but receivers like Branch aren't out there. They are not easy to find. Then again, Belichick has won three Super Bowls, so obviously he has all the answers.
Once you paint yourself into a corner as an organization — this player gave a little money back, another player took a little less to stay, we are the New England Patriots and it's an honor to play for us — you paint yourself into thinking that you end up living by the sword and dying by the sword. I think this sword will pierce them. This was a mistake. That's what I think. If I'm Tom Brady, I'm real upset because they took away one of my weapons.
