Monday morning sports recap - Week #1

Steelers:
Going to be a long season. Sigh.

• Hines Ward - He looked good in his broadcasting debut. I loved his response to what should these receivers be doing (Broncos) and he responded he would be baking him cookies, cutting Peyton's grass and babysitting his kids. He started off a bit nervous, but that smile is so contagious one can forgive any mistakes he might have made. 
• Ward/Dungy - It was kind of neat to have two experts in Ward and Tony Dungy for this game giving insight on both quarterbacks.
• Missy Franklin- I thought it cool she was the Honary Captain for the night as a Colorado native. I liked that Peyton chatted with her instead of just patting her like the other Bronco players did.
• Peyton Manning - I have to say that I got a little teary when Manning completed his first pass on the first play of the game.  The NFL needs leaders like Manning so I'm glad he is back.
• Running Game - I know that the Steelers are considered a running team, but that was the past. We haven't been able to run the ball for three years now and with Mendenhall out with an injury the Steelers are looking at Issac Redman to do the job. But he's our Bus. He's our third down guy not our go to on every play guy. Let Ben throw the ball!
• Max Starks - For a guy who hasn't been appreciated by the Steelers organization he sure has been the organization when it comes to the left tackle position. Last year he was let go and then picked up in the middle of the season due to injuries. This year he wasn't signed until the last minute and once again he is handling things due to injuries. Without him last night Ben would be hurting more than he will be this morning.
• Larry Foote - He started off hot. Wish he would have had more help.
• Offense - So far not impressed with Todd Haley. Why did we bring him on board again?
• Defense - Hot in the beginning, but when they had an hour rest between half time and the time the offense spent slugging down the field they must have fallen asleep.
• O Line - Here we go again; injuries, injuries and no one to take their place. Tell me again how we improved thing since last year?

Other:

• Art Modell - The owner of the Cleveland Browns who eventually moved the team to Baltimore and became the Ravens died this week.  Not many people in Cleveland were sad, but he was a pivotal character in the NFL having brought the game of football to television.  The Browns organization was going to show appreciation for the man, but eventually gave up the idea after Modell's family asked them not to considering how many in the city might not agree.  I, however, couldn't get past the Ravens organization rolling out his casket on the field as a tribute.
• Washington Redskins - Wow!  I guess I need to get updated on this RG3 guy.  I didn't pay much attention because it was the Skins and because Andrew Luck dominated the draft, but the rookie quarterback came out and threw over a hundred yards in like his first twenty minutes.  Is he this year's Cam Newton?
• New York Jets - I believed the preseason play despite my never doing so.  I thought they were in trouble.  I should have known.  Rex Ryan loves to show that he knows what the hell he is doing and he loves to prove the naysayers wrong.  He was one smug, happy camper.
• Rex Ryan - Has he been reading my blog over the years on his weight? I was shocked to see how good Coach Ryan looked at the Jets post game conference.  Apparently he had lapband surgery a couple years back and has lost over 100 pounds in that time.  Kudos to him for doing something about that gut that led the way when he walked.  Plus, look how quick he moved when one of the Bills players ran out of bounds and knocked him down.  
• Andrew Luck - Okay, he didn't get off to a great start with 3 interceptions and a fumble, but he has sixteen more games to improve.  The fans of Indianapolis hope he improves by next week, but this poor kid has had a whirlwind of emotions, media, and expectations hurled at him. I though he handled his post game conference well. He's like this big lug with a baby face. At times I thought he might cry, but he answered questions with maturity, took the blame, and planned to forge on.  Maybe this game was what he needed to get the cobwebs shaken out. Maybe now the hard part is behind him. Or maybe the owners will be dreaming of Peyton all year.
• Eagles/Browns - Eight interceptions in this game; both quarterbacks throwing four each. Vick just had his early enough to get the win.
• Erin Andrews - I love her because she knows her sports.  I was sorry to hear she was leaving ESPN, but now that Fox is going to use her on their pregame show I'm pumped.  None of this telling us what the weather is in the cities where football is played nonsense.  She came out with a nice piece on Packer's quarterback Aaron Rogers that showed she knows her stuff and that she isn't afraid to ask the questions.  Here! Here!
• Dave Akers kick - Sixty three yards and it hit the goal and bounced over. Cool.
• Monday Night Football - What is up with the two games on this night?  I can barely stay up for one!  And who is going to stay up til 2:00 am watching this game?  It isn't even anyone exciting.