First, it is clear to me that Vince Young will never be a consistent, effective NFL quarterback. Aside from the fact that he presently has a badly sprained knee, Young simply does not have the mental capacity to fill the starting role for the Titans. Young is used to being in the spotlight, first leading Texas to a dramatic Rose Bowl victory over USC in 2006 and then commanding the Titans to an unlikely playoff berth later that same year. He seems to be perfectly capable of enjoying the good times, but can’t endure criticism at any level. He is no longer at the University of Texas, where he would receive a pat on the back regardless of his production due to his celebrity status on campus.
Since 2006, Young has been the proud holder of the lowest passer rating in the league, behind the likes of the all-star group of Joey Harrington, Chris Redman and Kyle Boller. Young’s mother has been quoted saying that her son is “hurting inside and out,” which has certainly not helped Coach Jeff Fisher’s attempts to quiet the situation. In addition, this current string of retirement and suicide threats is not the first of Young’s career; leaving the game due to an inability to handle problems has been in the mind of the young quarterback for some time. I am willing to say that I think Young is done, at least in terms of taking the Titans to the next level.
Next, I really believe that the Patriots will only be marginally affected by the loss of Tom Brady. The last game Matt Cassel started was in 1999 for the Chancellors of Chatsworth High School in Southern California. Although this may seem like a daunting fact to many people, the Patriots have enough talent around the quarterback position to make this team run the way it did last year.
Cassel will need to get the ball to the playmakers of this offense, Randy Moss and Wes Welker. If he can do that like Brady did, the offense will only be slightly less potent. For instance, two weeks ago, Cassel threw a wobbling spiral in the general direction of Randy Moss, and Moss nonchalantly hauled in the pass for an easy touchdown. Cassel certainly did not put it on Moss’s numbers like Brady would have, but he got the ball to his playmaker and the touchdown resulted. Lastly, Cassel has been a backup his entire life, and has played behind some of the best quarterbacks alive at both the collegiate and professional levels. He knows the Belichick system, and has had ample time to learn how this team works. I am confident the Pats will win the AFC despite of the loss of Tom Brady.
This year will be a true coming-out party for both Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers, as both will cement themselves as high tier quarterbacks in the league. Nobody is under more pressure to produce than Aaron Rodgers, as the replacement of he-who-must-not-be-named. Against two division rivals, the Lions and the Vikings, Rodgers has put together two very impressive victories and should be able to lead this Green Bay team to an NFC North title. Over in the AFC West, Jay Cutler will have the opportunity to show what he can do, despite losing his top receiver, Brandon Marshall, to a three-game suspension for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
While on that subject, Marshall received that suspension for allegedly putting his hand through a television. I really wish he could have come up with a less believable excuse, although I am not sure that is possible.
Cutler made excellent use of rookie wideout Eddie Royal in Marshall’s absence, going to him nine times for 146 yards and a score in a blowout of the sorry Oakland Raiders. A Vanderbilt alumnus, Cutler certainly has the presence of mind to do well in this leadership position, and the perennially strong Broncos’ running game will open up Cutler’s passing game. Rodgers and Cutler should be able to accumulate some very impressive stats and both will be considered for the Pro Bowl when voting season rolls around.
Finally, I think the Giants’ defense will perform at an elite level despite the losses of defensive ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. If Umenyiora had been spared and instead Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo had been hit with a helmet to the knee in the preseason, I would be more worried about the Giants’ defense than I am right now. The defense is a unit, and Umenyiora was a piece of the puzzle. When I see his replacement, Mathias Kiwanuka, I understand why the Giants drafted him even though they had the defensive end position filled; Kiwanuka is a monster, and will fill Umenyiora’s role within Spagnuolo’s scheme. When Umenyiora went down, I could see every sports writer in the country running to blame the Giants’ woes on the loss of their All-Pro defensive end. If the Giants struggle, it will be because of an inability to move the ball down the field, not because of a weakened defense. I am not ready to predict another Giants Super Bowl win, but after winning their first two games by a combined score of 57-20, I feel very good about the G-men matching up against Dallas and Philadelphia later in the season.