NFL Morning After Reactions: Rams, Jets, Redskins & more
Posted by Anthony Stalter (09/28/2009 @ 10:30 am)

Here’s a look at what local NFL beat writers and columnists have to say following their teams’ performance on Sunday.
- Tom Powers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes that the Vikings got their first glimpse of Brett Favre’s legend in Minnesota’s last-second win over San Francisco.
- After 19 straight losses, Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press says that there’s finally relief for the lowly Lions.
- After getting a taste of action in a win over the Chiefs on Sunday, Ashley Fox of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Michael Vick is fine with his role with the Eagles, for now.
- Steve Serby of the New York Post says that Jets’ rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez uses his head to make history.
- Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe notes that the 2-1 Patriots are still a work in progress despite their 26-10 win over the Falcons at Foxboro.
- David Climer of the Tennessean says that the 0-3 Titans buried their playoff hopes with a loss to the Jets on Sunday.
- Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post writes that the Redskins’ focused disappeared long ago.
- Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ably points out that the brutal Rams are now the new Lions.
- David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune writes that Johnny Knox and the Bears’ wideouts are making quarterback Jay Cutler look good.
- Will Leitch of the New York Magazine says that the contract extension Eli Manning signed in the offseason might be a bargain with how well he’s playing so far this season.
Posted in: NFL
Tags: 2009 NFL Week 3, bears, Brett Favre, Jay Cutler, Jim Zorn, Johnny Knox, Lions win, Michael Vick, NFL Week 3, nfl week 3 scoreboard, nfl week 3 scores, Rams, Redskins
Lions finally win as hot seat gets hotter for Zorn
Posted by Anthony Stalter (09/27/2009 @ 5:19 pm)

Lion fans, you’re suffering is finally over.
Thanks to a solid effort by Matthew Stafford (21 of 36, 241 yards, 1 TD) and Kevin Smith (16 carries, 101 yards), the Lions won their first game since December 23 of 2007 with a 19-14 victory over the Redskins on Sunday.
One of the players that will be overlooked in this victory for Detroit is rookie linebacker DeAndre Levy, who started in place of the injured Ernie Sims. Levy made two consecutive tackles on running back Clinton Portis inside the 5-yard-line on third and fourth down to stop the Redskins early in the first half and led the Lions in tackles at halftime. On the day, Levy finished with six tackles and one tackles for loss as Detroit held Washington to only 65 rushing yards. His efforts shouldn’t go overlooked.
Not to take away from the Lions’ big day, but this loss is going to loom large for Washington head coach Jim Zorn. His offense generated 390 total yards, but a week after barely beating the Rams, the Redskins were held out of the end zone by a brutal Detroit defense until early in the third quarter and then failed to score when they got the ball back with just over a minute remaining.
The Lions were eventually going to win again. But you just can’t be that team that losses to Detroit, especially when you’re a Redskins team that was heavily criticized the week before. How can you be 1-2 on the year when two of your first three games are against the Rams and Lions? The players may still believe in Zorn, but he is going to come under major fire over the next week and may not be long for Washington’s head coaching job.
I realize that guys like Albert Haynesworth and London Fletcher were hurt. But what an embarrassing loss for Zorn and the Redskins. How can you only muster 13 points playing against the Lions and after totaling 390 yards? There’s just no excuse and barring a big turnaround, this could be the start of Zorn being ushered out of Washington.
Posted in: NFL
Tags: 2009 NFL Week 3, Albert Haynesworth, Albert Haynesworth hurt, Clinton Portis, DeAndre Levy, Detroit Lions, Fire Jim Zorn, Jim Zorn, Lions beat Redskins, Lions win, Lodon Fletcher, Matthew Stafford, NFL Week 3, nfl week 3 scoreboard, nfl week 3 scores, Redskins, redskins lions, redskins lions score, Redskins vs lions, Washington Redskins