With the 2006 NFL season reaching the opening quarter-pole, NFL reporter Anthony Cotton takes a look at some of the notable accomplishments of the first four weeks and takes a peek at what lies ahead.
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Mmm-mmm good
Was it the sports hernia last season? The unbearable weight of carrying Terrell Owens on his back? Has all the yummy goodness of the chunky soup finally kicked in? Whatever the reason, after a nightmarish 2005 season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb arguably has been the league’s best player. Healthy after missing the final seven games last season, McNabb has thrown for 1,248 yards and nine touchdowns, with only one interception. Loath to run the ball in recent years, McNabb even has two rushing scores in Philly’s first four games.
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No wins, baby
Raider Nation will be about the size of an RV park at this pace as the Silver and Black continue to make inroads on its first winless season. While coach Art Shell hasn’t been on the sideline in 12 years, at least the former league official was still in the game. His offensive coordinator, Tom Walsh, was running a bed and breakfast the past few years. To say Oakland’s offense is a little unkempt would be kind. Even with Randy Moss, the Raiders have totaled 211 yards passing in three games.
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The future is now
While the Broncos have the luxury of letting Jay Cutler learn from the sideline, the other two highly-regarded quarterbacks from last spring’s draft are being thrown into the fire – and probably will be roasted on a spit. Vince Young, the third pick in the draft, started last week for 0-4 Tennessee. In the midst of a second consecutive season in which expectation and reality have been wildly divergent, the 1-3 Arizona Cardinals turn to No. 10 pick Matt Leinart. Neither man will turn things around for their teams in the standings, but perhaps the turnstiles will keep clicking.
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No. 1
There are only three undefeated teams remaining in the league and the best of the bunch seems to be not Indianapolis, but the Chicago Bears. Per usual, the defense has been monstrous, allowing a league-low 29 points – two better than the Broncos. The surprise has been that quarterback Rex Grossman has led an offense that no longer looks like it plays in leather helmets. The Bears have scored 116 points. Even better for Chicago: There are only two teams currently above .500 remaining on the schedule.
