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Oct. 4, 2007
By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!
Can you believe we're already a quarter of the way through the NFL season? Doesn't it seem like Kickoff Weekend was just last weekend?
Yes, Tom, it's all good for you. (Getty Images)
As it is, we're into October and the hope that so many teams and fans felt through the dog days of summer, has faded for some and risen for others.
One thing has remained constant: The New England Patriots are still a trendy and strong Super Bowl pick.
The first month taught us this about the Patriots: Give Tom Brady weapons, real weapons, and he will light up the sky.
The Patriots are 4-0 and Brady's quick-trigger passing game is a big reason why. The addition of Randy Moss and Wes Welker has made it look almost easy for Brady throwing the football.
His passer rating is an amazing 134.7. He's thrown a league-leading 13 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.
Plus, he just became a dad and he dates a supermodel. Guys envy him and women love him.
Man, it must be good to be Tom Brady.
He's always been 1A to Peyton Manning's No. 1 in my book, and it's still that way, but Brady's hot start earns him the MVP nod in my Quarterly Report.
His passing has been hotter than Giselle, his supermodel girlfriend. He's completed 79.2 percent of his passes. Both his completion percentage and passer rating would shatter the single-season records for both categories.
"I've always looked at the Colts as the standard for passing offenses and what those guys have accomplished over the years and them being together for as long as they have, it's impossible to stop," Brady said. "Being together for such a short time, we're trying to reach a point where we feel the same way."
Manning and the Colts are still as good as they want to be in the passing game. But the addition of Moss and Welker and Donte' Stallworth has put the Patriots right there with them. For now, they might be even better.
A quarter of the way in, the question is: Can anybody stop the New England passing game and one Tom Brady?
It sure hasn't happened yet.
MVP: Brady. He's on fire. It's amazing to watch him now that he has a big-play guy in Moss. Runners-up: Manning, Moss, Tony Romo (QB, Cowboys), Brett Favre (QB, Packers).
Offensive player of the quarter: (Tie) Brady and Moss. Risk? What risk? Put Moss on my team any day of the week. I'll take my chances. What a start he's having. Runners-up: Romo, Brady, Manning, Favre, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR, Bengals).
Defensive player of the quarter: Keith Bulluck, LB, Titans. He's been one of the most underrated players in the league for a long time. Now he's leading a unit that is playing great football. Runners-up: Nick Barnett (LB, Packers), Darnell Dockett (DT, Cardinals), Trent Cole (DE, Eagles), Julian Peterson (LB, Seahawks), Thomas Howard (LB, Raiders), Adrian Wilson (S, Cardinals), Champ Bailey (CB, Broncos).
Offensive rookie of the quarter: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings. If he didn't share time with Chester Taylor, he'd have even better numbers. As it is, he is sixth in the league with 383 yards rushing. He's a big-play threat every time he touches it. Runners-up: Marshawn Lynch (RB, Bills), Dwayne Bowe (WR, Chiefs), James Jones (WR, Packers).
Patrick Willis steps off campus and into a starring role with the Niners. (Getty Images)
Defensive rookie of the quarter: Patrick Willis, MLB, 49ers. He is a tackling machine. I saw him make a play in the deep middle on a pass against the Rams that showed how good he is even in pass coverage. Wow. Runners-up: Amobi Okoye (DT, Texans), Jon Beason (LB, Panthers), LaRon Landry (S, Commanders), Eric Wright (CB, Browns), Brian Robison (DE, Vikings).
Coach of the quarter: Mike McCarthy, Packers. His team's 4-0 start is by far and away the biggest surprise. He has a lot of young talent, and he's handled it well. He's also made Favre less reckless. Runners-up: Wade Phillips (Cowboys), Jon Gruden (Bucs).
Assistant coach of the quarter: Monte Kiffin, Bucs defensive coordinator. The Bucs have the top scoring defense in the NFL. He's mixed a bunch of young players with the aging veterans and it's worked. The man can coach. Runners-up: Jason Garrett (Cowboys offensive coordinator), Josh McDaniels (Patriots offensive coordinator), Mike Martz (Lions offensive coordinator), Mike Smith (Jaguars defensive coordinator).
Biggest surprise team of the quarter: Bucs. Most would say the Packers, but after seeing the Bucs in camp, I'm shocked they're 3-1. Runners-up: Packers.
Most disappointing team of the quarter: Chargers. You don't think Marty Schottenheimer is laughing somewhere, do you? How this team is 1-3 is a shock to many. Runners-up: Bears, Ravens.
Biggest surprise player of the quarter: Derrick Ward, RB, Giants. When Brandon Jacobs got hurt in the opener, most thought the Giants running game was in big trouble. Ward has disproved that notion by running for 353 yards and a 4.8 average. Runners-up: Atari Bigby (S, Packers), Chris Brown (RB, Titans), Joey Harrington (QB, Falcons).
Most improved player: Mathias Kiwanuka, LB, Giants. He has made a nice transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. Runners-up: Roddy White (WR, Falcons), Derek Anderson (QB, Browns), Brandon Marshall (WR, Broncos).
Most disappointing player: Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Can you believe he's struggling as badly as he is? Runners-up: Steven Jackson (RB, Rams), LaDainian Tomlinson (RB, Chargers), Frank Gore (RB, 49ers), Reggie Bush (RB, Saints), Philip Rivers (QB, Chargers).
Best trend: More passing. Don't we just love it?
Worst trend: Bad situational coaching. It's the same way every year. Please, guys, use your head, not your heart. Think ahead, too.
Best moment: Brett Favre breaking Dan Marino's career touchdown pass record.
Worst moment: Bill "I'm Coach Character" Belichick getting caught cheating. That taints the game.
LINK
By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!
Can you believe we're already a quarter of the way through the NFL season? Doesn't it seem like Kickoff Weekend was just last weekend?
Yes, Tom, it's all good for you. (Getty Images)
As it is, we're into October and the hope that so many teams and fans felt through the dog days of summer, has faded for some and risen for others.
One thing has remained constant: The New England Patriots are still a trendy and strong Super Bowl pick.
The first month taught us this about the Patriots: Give Tom Brady weapons, real weapons, and he will light up the sky.
The Patriots are 4-0 and Brady's quick-trigger passing game is a big reason why. The addition of Randy Moss and Wes Welker has made it look almost easy for Brady throwing the football.
His passer rating is an amazing 134.7. He's thrown a league-leading 13 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.
Plus, he just became a dad and he dates a supermodel. Guys envy him and women love him.
Man, it must be good to be Tom Brady.
He's always been 1A to Peyton Manning's No. 1 in my book, and it's still that way, but Brady's hot start earns him the MVP nod in my Quarterly Report.
His passing has been hotter than Giselle, his supermodel girlfriend. He's completed 79.2 percent of his passes. Both his completion percentage and passer rating would shatter the single-season records for both categories.
"I've always looked at the Colts as the standard for passing offenses and what those guys have accomplished over the years and them being together for as long as they have, it's impossible to stop," Brady said. "Being together for such a short time, we're trying to reach a point where we feel the same way."
Manning and the Colts are still as good as they want to be in the passing game. But the addition of Moss and Welker and Donte' Stallworth has put the Patriots right there with them. For now, they might be even better.
A quarter of the way in, the question is: Can anybody stop the New England passing game and one Tom Brady?
It sure hasn't happened yet.
MVP: Brady. He's on fire. It's amazing to watch him now that he has a big-play guy in Moss. Runners-up: Manning, Moss, Tony Romo (QB, Cowboys), Brett Favre (QB, Packers).
Offensive player of the quarter: (Tie) Brady and Moss. Risk? What risk? Put Moss on my team any day of the week. I'll take my chances. What a start he's having. Runners-up: Romo, Brady, Manning, Favre, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR, Bengals).
Defensive player of the quarter: Keith Bulluck, LB, Titans. He's been one of the most underrated players in the league for a long time. Now he's leading a unit that is playing great football. Runners-up: Nick Barnett (LB, Packers), Darnell Dockett (DT, Cardinals), Trent Cole (DE, Eagles), Julian Peterson (LB, Seahawks), Thomas Howard (LB, Raiders), Adrian Wilson (S, Cardinals), Champ Bailey (CB, Broncos).
Offensive rookie of the quarter: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings. If he didn't share time with Chester Taylor, he'd have even better numbers. As it is, he is sixth in the league with 383 yards rushing. He's a big-play threat every time he touches it. Runners-up: Marshawn Lynch (RB, Bills), Dwayne Bowe (WR, Chiefs), James Jones (WR, Packers).
Patrick Willis steps off campus and into a starring role with the Niners. (Getty Images)
Defensive rookie of the quarter: Patrick Willis, MLB, 49ers. He is a tackling machine. I saw him make a play in the deep middle on a pass against the Rams that showed how good he is even in pass coverage. Wow. Runners-up: Amobi Okoye (DT, Texans), Jon Beason (LB, Panthers), LaRon Landry (S, Commanders), Eric Wright (CB, Browns), Brian Robison (DE, Vikings).
Coach of the quarter: Mike McCarthy, Packers. His team's 4-0 start is by far and away the biggest surprise. He has a lot of young talent, and he's handled it well. He's also made Favre less reckless. Runners-up: Wade Phillips (Cowboys), Jon Gruden (Bucs).
Assistant coach of the quarter: Monte Kiffin, Bucs defensive coordinator. The Bucs have the top scoring defense in the NFL. He's mixed a bunch of young players with the aging veterans and it's worked. The man can coach. Runners-up: Jason Garrett (Cowboys offensive coordinator), Josh McDaniels (Patriots offensive coordinator), Mike Martz (Lions offensive coordinator), Mike Smith (Jaguars defensive coordinator).
Biggest surprise team of the quarter: Bucs. Most would say the Packers, but after seeing the Bucs in camp, I'm shocked they're 3-1. Runners-up: Packers.
Most disappointing team of the quarter: Chargers. You don't think Marty Schottenheimer is laughing somewhere, do you? How this team is 1-3 is a shock to many. Runners-up: Bears, Ravens.
Biggest surprise player of the quarter: Derrick Ward, RB, Giants. When Brandon Jacobs got hurt in the opener, most thought the Giants running game was in big trouble. Ward has disproved that notion by running for 353 yards and a 4.8 average. Runners-up: Atari Bigby (S, Packers), Chris Brown (RB, Titans), Joey Harrington (QB, Falcons).
Most improved player: Mathias Kiwanuka, LB, Giants. He has made a nice transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. Runners-up: Roddy White (WR, Falcons), Derek Anderson (QB, Browns), Brandon Marshall (WR, Broncos).
Most disappointing player: Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Can you believe he's struggling as badly as he is? Runners-up: Steven Jackson (RB, Rams), LaDainian Tomlinson (RB, Chargers), Frank Gore (RB, 49ers), Reggie Bush (RB, Saints), Philip Rivers (QB, Chargers).
Best trend: More passing. Don't we just love it?
Worst trend: Bad situational coaching. It's the same way every year. Please, guys, use your head, not your heart. Think ahead, too.
Best moment: Brett Favre breaking Dan Marino's career touchdown pass record.
Worst moment: Bill "I'm Coach Character" Belichick getting caught cheating. That taints the game.
LINK
