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Matt Bowen By Matt Bowen
Posted September 5, 2008
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Eight In The Box

Each Friday here at The National Football Post I will bring you a different perspective on the week’s top stories as we head into the last day of the work week. Here are some things to talk about as you stare at the clock this Friday before heading home. So, let’s get to it. Here are my top eight headlines of week one in the NFL– love’em or hate’em, they are here to stay. 

EIGHT: Bears at Horse- The talk is the debut of Peyton Manning, the health of his knee, and the official opening of Lucas Oil Stadium (looks like the best ball park in the league). But the real story here is the Bears’ abysmal offense. I don’t know if they will score an offensive touchdown before the official beginning of Autumn. I am wondering when Tony Dungy will pull his starters Sunday night.

SEVEN: Bell Hop- One of the unwritten rules of the league (and of society) is that you don’t steal. We won’t know if Bell really took Rudi Johnson’s bags and tightie whiteies, but guys have been known to do some crazy stuff when they are told to clean out their lockers. Good for you Tatum, and good luck finding a job again– ever.

SIX: Cleveland Rocks- How good are the Browns? Are we going to see last year’s version– a reborn Jamal Lewis and a rising star in Derrick Anderson? Or, are we going to see a broken-down horse and chants for Brady Quinn by week five? 

FIVE: The Pac Man- Adam Jones might get the start this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. He will be rusty, as he hasn’t played a complete game of football in over two years. From gentlemen’s clubs to starter in the NFL is such a heart-warming story. 

FOUR: Big Money Burress- Five years and $35 million is a nice way to open the season. He looked every bit worth the coin last night against the Skins. Someone tell Fred Smoot this guy is worth the money. Smoot looked like a rookie out there on the island last night. 

THREE: Ocho Cinco- We all know Chad Johnson changed his name so idiots in the media, like myself, would take time out of their day and waste Internet space writing about him. He is the king of self-promotion in this league, and somehow he gets it to work. I want to watch the game just to hear the announcers call his name. I can’t wait to see what’s next, or if Ray Lewis and his boys put a bounty out on him.

TWO: Tough Love Bills- Jason Peters is alone in the dark at home, and starting linebacker Angelo Crowell was put on IR– for a two- to four-week injury, in a contract year. Thanks for coming out guys, but we don’t need you anymore. The Bills are officially a modern-day dictatorship. Play by the rules, or hit the streets with an apple and a road map.

ONE: Brett Vs. Aaron- Who will play better? Favre against the Fins, or Rodgers against the Vikes? My money is on Favre, as is the reaction when the whole town begins to riot after a Viking victory over the Pack. Oneida St. could get ugly after hours of Miller products and a poor Packer performance. 

Fantasy Draft Guide

Remarks

23 comments for “Eight In The Box”

  1. Butch Coleman
    September 5, 2008
    11:55 am

    This is a great column!
    Very clever name

  2. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    12:04 pm

    Butch- Appreciate the comments- had some help with the name from my cousin, Michael Penca of Chicago. Thanks for reading the Post.

  3. Dan from Buffalo
    September 5, 2008
    12:20 pm

    Buffalo Bills linebacker Angelo Crowell gave no indication to the medical staff , coaching staff or teammates that he was going to need to surgery… until 3 days before the season opener?

  4. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    12:23 pm

    Dan- Strange, isn’t it? I think he was just protecting himself, but it obviously didn’t sit well with the Bills. They have really put their foot down this summer, haven’t they? How is this sitting with the fans out there? Thanks for the comments.

  5. Jason
    September 5, 2008
    12:27 pm

    Bills fans think the FO is either stupid or correct. Since nobody knows the true extent of the injury, it’s tough to make a comment. I will say if it is only a 2-4 week injury, then it is extremely odd and may look bad that they put him on IR. They say they didn’t want to go into the season shorthanded, yet they have a 4th string OT with a torn rotator cuff and a backup rookie TE who just had thumb surgery on the active roster, so there could be more to the story here….

  6. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    12:29 pm

    Jason- Teams always give us the run-around when it comes to player moves… You bring up some good points. Thanks for the comments.

  7. Dale Jr.
    September 5, 2008
    12:36 pm

    Mr. Bowen,

    I can’t wait to see when Ocho Cinco takes on Michael Phelps in the pool. Ocho said he could take him the 100m Free.

  8. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    12:38 pm

    Dale Jr- Good point… Ocho didn’t fair well when he raced the horse, so this new event should draw some interest. Maybe Earnhardt will win a race this year as well. Thanks for the comments.

  9. Patrick Craig
    September 5, 2008
    12:41 pm

    Matt

    That was damn entertaining. I bet you’re popular with da Bears fans right about now lol.

    Aaron Rodgers, remember when you told us fans to get on board or shut up ? Well we do and if you tank against the Vikings get ready for the ” Bring Back Favre ” chants

  10. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    12:43 pm

    Patrick- It will be a big night for Rodgers… We all know he has to play well just to win over the crowd… No responses from the Bears fans yet… Maybe they agree with me, or they are more interested in the Cubs and White Sox right now- This is a 1st place baseball town… Thanks for the comments.

  11. Mark DeLeo
    September 5, 2008
    12:58 pm

    Matt - Tony Dungy will be pulling his starters in the 3rd qtr because the bears will be up 49 - 0 and Kyle Orton will have 5 TDs. I hope that was your intent or else please stop your irresponsible reporting.

  12. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    1:03 pm

    Mark- Appreciate the comments and the faith in Kyle Orton. I just don’t see it happening this year in Chicago.

  13. Dan from Buffalo
    September 5, 2008
    1:25 pm

    Matt:
    Overall I think the vast majority of Bills fans understand why they have taken a strong stance with Peters. They have already renegotiated hic contract and he has 3 years remaining on his current “new” deal.
    I don’t think all the facts have come out in the Crowell situation- so fans either agree with the Bills or are ready to jump off a bridge. You know the usual reaction.lol
    Of course in the next several weks if the Bills win- not many fans will be thinking of wither Peters or Crowell. Such is the cruel/meat market that is the NFL.

  14. charlie
    September 5, 2008
    1:35 pm

    love youu column, pretty darn funny too!

  15. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    1:37 pm

    Dan-Good point on the strong start… If the Bills come out of the gates fast, then this issue will be swept under the rug and the Bills will look like they made the right decisions…

  16. charlie
    September 5, 2008
    1:39 pm

    Matt, can you tell me what area I need work on for Free Agency? I used your draft kit and it was quite a bit different than CBS, but I feel way better with you guys no matter how it turns out. thanks for the great info.

    Scoring is the same as your draft kit except 6pts for passing TD. Also, we start 1QB, 2RB, 3WR/TE (any combo, could have 3 WR or 3 TE or any combo), 1 DEF, 1 Kicker

    QB - Hasselbeck, Cutler
    RB - S Jax, B Jacobs, J. Stewart, Mo Morris, D. Ward
    WR - A. Johnson, S. Smith (CAR), C. Chambers, R. Meachem
    TE - T. Heap, O. Daniels, H. Miller
    DEF - Eagles
    K - Longwell

  17. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    2:00 pm

    Charlie- Look like you have a solid team…. I wouldn’t make any moves what so ever… Start Daniels this week against Pitt…

  18. Dan from Buffalo
    September 5, 2008
    2:41 pm

    It looks like Eugene Parker blinked.

    Bills LT Jason Peters has decided to end his holdout and will report to the team on Saturday.(as per Rotoworld)

  19. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    2:58 pm

    Dan- Just saw that…. Looks like the Bills win out in this one, but there may still be a deal in the works…. Might be a couple of weeks before he is ready to play.

  20. charlie
    September 5, 2008
    3:40 pm

    thanks, I do have him starting. Also, do you see J. Stewart completley taking over as he seem to be a beast with speed. Was he this big in college?

  21. Matt Bowen
    September 5, 2008
    3:42 pm

    Charlie- Look for Stewart to split carries for a while… He will be the steal of the draft, just give it time…

  22. Richard Turpin
    September 5, 2008
    4:59 pm

    You’re right Matt. If Rodgers falls on his face, Oneida St. is going to be uglier than Sarah Palin’s personality.

  23. Matt Bowen
    September 6, 2008
    9:30 am

    Ricahrd- I agree with your opinion of Rodgers, but please, no politics….

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