Cam Newton Shines vs Arizona Cardinals: Opening Day Thoughts on Rookies Around the League
NFLmocks isn’t your typical recap because we focus on what the young players in the league are doing. Michael Vick had a big day, but so what he’s old news. How’d the Young guys do? I consider the young guys mostly rookies and second year players. Occasionally, I’ll throw in a third year guy. I’ll concentrate on a few games, and try to do quick tid bits of the others.
Everyone can see talent. Cam Newton has talent. People though are skeptical of what they haven’t seen before. Players like Cam Newton, that is insanely athletic players who don’t come from traditional offenses in College, and who don’t make a lot of reads and go through progressions are the Holy Grail in Football. The possibilities are endless, but the failures are a mile long. Cam Newton had these questions and many more heading into the 2011 N.F.L. draft. Is he smart enough? Is he enough of a leader? Can he be accurate in the N.F.L. It’s much too early to make a definitive statement one way or the other, but today was Cam Newton’s day.
Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals
Panthers
Newton set a N.F.L. record today when he became the first player to ever throw for 400 yards in their first N.F.L. game. Newton’s line looks brilliant. 24 for 37 for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns (11.4 yards per attempt). Newton also chipped in 18 rushing yards (in 8 attempts) and a touchdown.
His line was impressive and at times Newton was very impressive, but it might be slightly misleading. Newton had some VERY wide open throws, but you can’t take that away from him. He’ll have to continue to show that he can make the proper reads, and make the nice pass. Newton was also playing against a defense that is less than spectacular, but a rookie debut on the road in a divisional game? The only thing that would have been better is if the Cardinals hadn’t won he game. I liked Newton heading into the draft and he was the only quarterback we had rated in the first round.
Cardinals
Not to be left out Patrick Peterson showed his explosive ability with 89 yards punt return touchdown. Peterson made a lot of tackles today (5), but will continue to need some work in his coverage. He’s young, he’s very talented, it’ll come.
Daryl Washington
Washington had a big day. He had a .5 sack. 7 Tackles and an interception.
Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs
If you’re a Chiefs fan I’m sorry for even bringing this up. But I watched a lot of this game.
Let’s start with the Chiefs
Eric Berry
Tough, tough game for Berry. He got a stinger early in the first quarter and had to leave. He came back in and shortly after left the field and didn’t come back. Our sister site, arrowheadaddict will keep you updated on that information. Right now, it’s reported that it could potentially be an A.C.L. tear. Yikes.
Dexter McCluster
During draft day NFLmocks was holding a live chat and while we were talking about the Chiefs someone said Dexter McCluster is a slot WR, to which I replied. No he’s not. And people were confused with what I said, thinking I was crazy.
Why? Because that’s not where he’s at his best. He’s a scat back. A Darren Sproles-type player. Today he ran the ball pretty well when given the opportunity. 4 rushes for 42 yards, he also had 4 receptions for 25 yards. He did, however, lose a fumble.
Justin Houston
In my notes I wrote: “Houston got the start. Pass interference penalty on first defensive play”….Nothing after that. His impact, like much of the Chiefs defense was negligible or non existent today.
Bills (buffalowdown.com is one of the best Bills Reads on the web. It’s easily the funniest. Check it out)
Marcell Dareus
Had the Panthers seen a struggling Newton today, maybe they would have been wondering if they messed up passing on Dareus. Dareus is an absolute monster. The Bills have one of the best young defensive lines in all of football. I’ve written this more than a few times, but bookmark it and check back at the end of the year. Dareus, Dwan Edwards, Kyle Williams, Spencer Johnson, Carrington and Troupe. The talent on that defensive line is impressive. He didn’t get a sack, but he should have. He spun Cassel to the ground as he was being touched by another Bills defender. He maintained his gap integrity and blew up the run game constantly. The Bills were terrible vs the run all last year. Today they were pretty good.
C.J. Spiller
I loved Spiller leading up to the draft and thought he’d make an excellent addition toa team like the Giants. But the Bills picked him. I understood the pick, but with their average to below average offensive line. It put him in a difficult position. Today he showed a little more decisiveness in his running and had a solid game. But the addition of Brad Smith lowers his potential impact. If you’re going to do a fantasy league this year, take Jackson over Spiller.
Danny Batten
a few years ago a late round pick name to watch for the Bills was talented, but raw Stevie Johnson. That player on the Bills is now LB Danny Batten. The Bills think Batten is Clay Matthews light. Batten Is all hustle. He never gives up on a play and he’ll find himself into some plays with his hustle. He doesn’t have Matthews natural ability, but keep that name in your consciousness.
Texans vs Colts
Colts fans.
I won’t speak of this game for your sake from that perspective. I think Jerry Hughes was a healthy scratch though. Ouch. Not looking like a great pick.
Texans
Watt had a big fumble recovery. Actually head the team in tackles.
Ben Tate
Started the season in second place for Rookie of the Year consideration. I believe this is technically his rookie season. he didn’t play a single down last year because of injury. 24 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown. The Colts run defense is routinely below average. Today they were terrible. Tate had a naughty today though. When he lost a fumble.
(continue on to page two by click on the two on the bottom)