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How’s it going football perverts? A happy Maddenoliday to all.

MADDENOLIDAY
Yes, I got Madden 07 yesterday. Making it even better was that the release date not only coincided with the release of the new Simpsons DVD set, which contains the 96-97 season, my favorite ever, but it also coincided with the first day of my vacation from work. No, I didn’t pre-plan it that way, it just happened. Suffice to say, if every day was like yesterday I would have no need for Lexapro. Anyway, here’s my one paragraph review of Madden 07.

You can block now. That’s about the only major change I see from Madden 06, but it’s a good one. You can control any player on offense on a running play, so now you can actually have a decent running game without O linemen blowing assignments. I had a lot of fun last night being Jonathan Ogden and clearing holes for Jamal Lewis. You’d never think being an offensive lineman could be that much fun, but it is. Other than that, everything is pretty much the same, except the Browns have Brown pants now. You have to actually see it with your own eyes to see how ugly they are. I give this game 7 ½ stars.

NFL NEWS
– We have a trade. Disgruntled Broncos wideout Ashley Lelie is headed to Atlanta, to watch Michael Vick run around like his pants are on fire while he waves in vain for the ball. As part of the deal, TJ Duckett goes to Washington as Clinton Portis insurance.

– Bears RB Cedric Benson was punished by Lovie Smith for leaving the sidelines early during Friday’s game against the Chargers. Thus continues the heated running back competition between Benson and Thomas Jones. The heated competition where neither of them play in the preseason. Let’s just say the Bears have alot of Cub in them.

– I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that TO hasn’t played yet this preseason, and got an MRI on his hamstring this week. This is working out great.

– Hey we have another trade! Longtime 49ers back Kevan Barlow has been sent to the Jets, where he presumably will share the load with Curtis Martin.

So now it’s on with the preseason journal. Today, only 2 days late, is the recap of the first half of the Week 2 slate. The half we’re covering today are the games that included guys taken with 1 of the first 10 picks in the draft. To refresh your memory, that list was:

Mario Williams DE Texans
Reggie Bush RB Saints
Vince Young QB Titans
D’Brickashaw Ferguson OT Jets
AJ Hawk LB Packers
Vernon Davis TE 49ers
Michael Huff S Raiders
Donte Whitner S Bills
Ernie Sims LB Lions
Matt Leinart QB Cardinals

NFL PRESEASON JOURNAL- WEEK 2

AT PATRIOTS 30, CARDINALS 3 (HALFTIME- PATRIOTS 13-3)

MARKEE ROOKIEE
This game marked the NFL debut of Matt Leinart (10th overall pick). Ironically enough, he looked a lot more like the QB drafted ahead of him, Vince Young, than he looked like Matt Leinart. Leinart led the Cardinals in rushing with 29 yards on 2 carries. You know that has to make Denny Green feel AWESOME, since the whole thing the Cardinals are bringing to the table in 06 (aside from 2 really, really good wideouts), is the upgrade of the running game. Other than Crazy Legs Leinart’s 29 yards, Arizona running backs combined for 26 yards on 12 carries, and that sure sounds a lot like the 2005 Cardinals to me.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, the forward pass. Leinart didn’t do anything to suggest he’s ready to be a starter in the NFL. He completed 4 of 11 passes for 45 yards.

FANTASY WATCH
– Corey Dillon’s performance was not encouraging. He scored a TD, but had 26 yards on 10 carries. If you’re going to take Dillon in your draft, you’ll also have to take Laurence Maroney, the rookie the Pats selected out of Minnesota, who will likely share carries with him this year. Maroney fared much better than Dillon, averaging 4.7 yards on 4 carries.

– It looks like New England’s kicker will be rookie Stephen Gostkowski (Memphis). He was 3 of 3 in this game on field goal attempts.

– I touched on this earlier, but approach Edgerrin James with extreme caution in your draft. He hasn’t gotten many carries this August, but so far the Cardinals have done nothing to show that they have fixed the inherent problems in their running game.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– DT Dan Klecko has played sparingly in the Pats’ defense in recent years, but he had 2 sacks and a forced fumble against the Cards.
– 3rd round TE David Thomas (Tulsa) had a 32 yard reception for New England.

– The Cardinals got 3 tackles and a sack out of 4th round DT Gabriel Watson (Michigan)


Welcome To The League, Fancy Boy

COWBOYS 30, AT SAINTS 7 (HALFTIME- COWBOYS 17-0)

MARKEE ROOKEEE
This game marked Reggie Bush’s reality check. He was really good in his opening game, but held to 7 yards on 4 carries in this game. He also had 2 receptions for 14 yards.

FANTASY WATCH
– It’s still pretty much a crapshoot as to which running back will catch Bill Parcells’ fancy and get the bulk of the Cowboys’ carries. Marion Barber and Julius Jones each got the rock 13 times, Barber managed 40 yards, Jones got 29. Toss Tyson Thompson into the mix too, he had 45 yards on 10 carries.

– Terry Glenn was in 2005 insane-o mode in this exhibition contest. He might not have TO on the field with him now, but it didn’t matter. Glenn had 71 receiving yards, and a 30 yard TD catch from Drew Bledsoe, who was almost flawless with a 12-16 for 152 yards and 2 TD night.

– Joe Horn had a 28 yard reception for the Saints.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– 5th round DE Rob Ninkovich (Purdue) had 8 tackles and 2 sacks for the Saints.

– Saints’ second round pick Roman Harper (Alabama) had 4 tackles and a forced fumble.

– Jahri Evans, a 4th round pick from the football factory of Blooomsburg College, started at right tackle for New Orleans.

TEXANS 27, AT RAMS 20 (HALFTIME- TEXANS 10-3)

MARKEE ROOKEEE
Mario Williams, the first player taken in this year’s draft, started at defensive end for the Texans and had one tackle. Yaaaaay. Linebacker Antwan Peek did have 2 sacks with Williams on the field though, indicating Williams may have helped the Texans’ overall pass rush.

FANTASY WATCH
– Stephen Jackson was great in the Rams’ first preseason tilt, not so great in their second. He had 10 yards on 4 carries.

– Shaun McDonald is an excellent under the radar choice at WR. He had 4 catches for 50 yards and a TD.

– Domanick Davis has been hobbled by a hamstring injury this preseason. If Vernand Morency has any more performances like he had against the Rams, Davis might be confined to the sidelines longer than he’d like. Morency, who the Texans took with their 3rd round pick last year, rushed for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– 3rd round pick Charles Spencer (Pitt) started at left tackle for the Texans. Houston allowed only one sack in the game.

– 6th round running back Wali Lundy (Virginia) continues to play well for the Texans, averaging 5.7 yards on 7 carries.

– Derrick Lewis, a 3rd year guy whose been kicking around practice squads, had a 44 yard TD reception from Sage Rosenfels for Houston.


Lewis Is Praying He Makes The Team

JETS 27, REDSKINS 14 (HALFTIME- JETS 17-7)
MARKEE ROOKEEE
The Jets selected D’Brickashaw Ferguson with the 4th overall pick in the draft expecting him to be an out-of-the box mountain against the pass rush. Brick started at left tackle for the Jets, but the first team surrendered two sacks, both on secondary blitzes by the Redskins.

FANTASY WATCH
– Antwaan Randle El was a big play specialist for the Steelers last year, and he figures to have the same role for the Redskins this year. He filled that bill nicely against the Jets, catching 2 passes for 42 yards.

– The Jets traded for Kevan Barlow this week as insurance against the high-mileage Curtis Martin going down. They didn’t have any problems moving the ball on the ground against the Skins. The Jets hung 216 rushing yards on the Redskins in this game. Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston combined for 99 yards on 24 carries.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– Former Missouri QB, now Jets WR Brad Smith broke a 61 yard run for a TD.

– DT Dewayne Robertson had a monstrous game for the Jets, notching 5 tackles.

– 5th round pick DT Anthony Montgomery (Minnesota) was just as good for the Redskins, also making 5 stops.

AT BRONCOS 35, TITANS 10 (HALFTIME- BRONCOS 28-3)

MARKEE ROOKEEE
You’d never know it by the ass waxing the Titans took on the scoreboard, but Vince Young played real well in this game. He was 11 of 19 for 125 yards, and also ran for a TD. He did fumble twice though. Jay Cutler was also on display in this one, and Young outplayed him.

FANTASY WATCH
– One of the most interesting things to watch for on your draft day will be to see where Mike Bell is picked. He looks like he has the ability to be the latest in a long line of formerly obscure running backs to succeed in the Broncos’ system. He had 73 yards on 10 carries and 2 TDs.

– Jake Plummer is a popular option for people that like to load up on backs and receivers, and put whoever at QB. He may be looking over his shoulder at Jay Cutler, but it didn’t show in this game. He completed 6 of 8 passes and threw a TD strike to TE Nate Jackson.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– Rookie TE Tony Scheffler (2nd Round, W. Michigan) had 73 receiving yards and a TD for Denver.

– Veteran DT Demetrin Veal had 2 sacks for the Broncos.

– LenDale White (USC) made his preseason debut for the Titans. The 2nd round pick, who shared carries with Reggie Bush in college and has had a tempestuous rookie training camp, did alright. He averaged 4.0 yards on 7 carries.


Not Bad In Game 2

AT RAIDERS 23, 49ERS 7 (HALFTIME- RAIDERS 10-0)
MARKEE ROOKEEEEE
There were actually 2 top 10 picks in this game, because you see, the Raiders and Niners were both really bad last year. SF’s first round pick, TE Vernon Davis, has yet to set the world on fire. He had 1 catch for 5 yards. Oakland’s first round pick, safety Michael Huff, made a much bigger impact, he had an interception with a 44 yard return tacked on.

FANTASY WATCH
– If you can get past the fact that he plays for the 49ers, Frank Gore might be one of the better running backs in this year’s draft. Kevan Barlow was traded this week, so he is now the unquestioned man. He averaged 6.0 yards on 7 carries.

– Antonio Bryant caught a 41 yard pass for the Niners.

– Lamont Jordan ran well for Oakland, racking up 49 yards on 11 carries.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– Alex Smith was back to being the Alex Smith we know and love after dissecting the Bears a week earlier. The 05 number one draft pick was 6 of 12 for 81 yards and 2 interceptions.

– Aaron Brooks had his best preseason game as a Raider, which isn’t saying much. He was 10 of 17 for 125, a TD and an interception.

– 2nd round linebacker Thomas Howard (UTEP) started and had 4 tackles for the Raiders.

PACKERS 38, FALCONS 10 (HALFTIME- PACKERS 24-10)

MARKEE ROOKEEEE
I keep hearing about how AJ Hawk is struggling in Packers camp, but I don’t see it in the preseason games. The rookie LB from Ohio State played very well, with 4 tackles and 2 passes defensed.

FANTASY WATCH
– The Falcons showcased RB TJ Duckett in this game. The newest denizen of the Redskins teepee rushed for 37 yards on 5 carries in his final game as a Falcon.
– Brett Favre was in 1997 mode in this game. He was 16-22 for 134 yards and 2 TDs.

– How about Packers rookie WR Greg Jennings? The Western Michigan alum had an 85 yard TD reception, 115 yards total (he started too, so it’s not like this was against the Meat Squad at the end of the game), and now leads all NFL receivers this preseason with 183 yards. Donald Driver wasn’t too shabby either, with 7 catches for 91 yards.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– 2nd year DT Mike Montgomery had a pair of sacks for the Pack

– 3rd round G Jason Spitz (Louisville) started at left guard for Green Bay.

– RFA running back Arliss Beach (Kentucky) made up for being named after an awful HBO show by leading the Packers with 50 yards rushing.


Have the Packers Found Their Urlacher?

BROWNS 20, LIONS 16 (HALFTIME- 10-10)
MARKEE ROOKEEE
Lions’ LB Ernie Sims (Florida St.) was the ninth player taken in this year’s draft. He had a monster game, with 6 tackles and a sack. He could be the best player the Lions have on the defensive side of the ball. Not soon, now.

FANTASY WATCH
– Kevin Jones had to be one of the top 5 fantasy busts last year. He’s not looking much better in preseason so far. The Lions’ 3rd year RB had 7 yards on 6 carries.

– Reuben Droughns, meanwhile, continues to look like one of the plum 2nd tier backs out there in this draft. He had 44 yards on 7 attempts.

– You can bet if your league requires a TE that somebody will draft Kellen Winslow. Do so at your own peril. He was OK in this game, with 37 yards on 3 receptions, but he’s an unproven commodity without a good offense around him.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– Sims wasn’t the only Seminole rookie LB making an impact. The Browns’ Kamerion Wimbley, the 13th selection in the draft, had a sack.

– The Browns 2nd round pick also came up with a big play. LB D’Qwell Jackson (Maryland) had an INT.

– 7th round LB Anthony Cannon (Tulane) had 5 tackles for the Lions.

BENGALS 44, BILLS 31 (HALFTIME- BENGALS 27-17)
MARKEE ROOKEEEE
Safety Donte Whitner had 2 tackles and a pass defensed. The Bills’ first defense, of which Whitner is a part, didn’t play as badly as the score would suggest, as the Bengals scored 2 defensive TDs in the first half. That’ll happen to you when you’re rolling JP Losman out there as your starting QB.

FANTASY WATCH
– Chad Johnson was in midseason form, with 73 yards and a TD.

– Lee Evans is the best receiver nobody at your draft will have thought about. He had 3 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.

– Willis McGahee is going to be tempting in a draft that is thin on stud running backs. He rebounded from a bad performance last week to run for 88 yards and a TD.

MAKING THEIR MARK
– Andrew Whitworth, the Bengals second round pick from LSU, started at left tackle.

– 4th round DT Domata Peko (Michigan St.) was demonic for the Bengals. He had 6 tackles, ½ a sack, and a forced fumble.

– Dexter Jackson is a former Super Bowl MVP, and he’s a new member of the Bengals secondary this year. He made a huge play with a 72 yard fumble return for a TD.


Helloooo….Ladies..

THAT’S A WRAP
Aaaand I’m spent. I’ll be back later this week with the rest of the Week 2 slate, which will include:
Ravens/Eagles
Giants/Chiefs
Vikings/Steelers
Bears/Chargers
Panthers/Jaguars
Dolphins/Bucs
Seahawks/Colts

A little birdy told me I might be on IPSR Radio this week too, so keep an ear out for that. See ya soon.