Most of Week 2 has come and gone, and several players put up some HUGE numbers on Sunday. The Manning brothers carved up a couple of defenses, Rudi ran roughshod over the Browns, while several wideouts had 100+ yard days. But enough chitchat, let’s get right to this week’s Headliners and Flatliners.
SUNDAY HEADLINERS
Peyton Manning (400 yards, 3 TD)
Today’s game is why people draft Peyton Manning in the first or second round. Anytime one of your guys hits the 400-yard barrier, you know he had a big passing day. Manning completed at least one pass to nine different receivers, throwing TD passes to three different guys (Joseph Addai, Brandon Stokley and Bryan Fletcher), while helping two others (Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison) each go for at least 127 yards. I bet the Texans’ plane ride home is a quiet one.
ALSO: Rex Grossman (289 yards, 4 TD), Eli Manning (371 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT), Michael Vick (92 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 14 touches, 127 rush yards, 1 TD), Brett Favre (340 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT), Donovan McNabb (350 pass yards, 2 TD, 31 rush yards), Drew Brees (353 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT)
Rudi Johnson (28 touches, 148 yards, 2 TD)
“Come on, guys. Get on my back. I’ll carry us home.” Johnson killed the Browns in the fourth quarter, rushing eight times for 73 yards and two touchdowns in the final period. His performance in the quarter took his stats from pedestrian to headliner status, and he did it all without Levi Jones blocking for him. RJ is off to a great start this season.
ALSO: LaDainian Tomlinson (26 touches, 122 yards, 2 TD), Frank Gore (31 touches, 137 yards, 1 TD), Brian Westbrook (26 touches, 124 yards, 1 TD, 1 Fumble), Larry Johnson (32 touches, 167 yards), Michael Turner (15 touches, 155 yards)
Amani Toomer (12 rec, 137 yards, 2 TD)
The old man isn’t done yet. Toomer continues to thrive as the third or fourth option behind Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey (when Shockey isn’t limping around on the sideline). Even though Toomer has lost a step, he continues to find ways to get open and has become one of Eli Manning’s favorite targets. There were a ton of huge numbers put up by receivers today, but Toomer’s line stands out.
ALSO: Antonio Bryant (4 rec, 131 yards, 1 TD), Plaxico Burress (6 rec, 114, 1 TD), Joey Galloway (9 rec, 161 yards), Donald Driver (8 rec, 153 yards), Darrell Jackson (5 rec, 127 yards, 1 TD), Jericho Cotchery (6 rec, 121 yards, 1 TD), Laveranues Coles (6 rec, 100 yards, 1 TD)
Desmond Clark (5 rec, 89 yards, 1 TD)
Clark is probably still available on most waiver wires, and is thriving now that Rex Grossman is playing like he has a clue. The tight end has caught 10 passes for 162 yards and a score in the last two weeks and is definitely worth a pickup.
ALSO: L.J. Smith (7 rec, 111 yards)
SUNDAY FLATLINERS
Aaron Brooks (0 yards, 2 Fumbles)
I pity the fool that was counting on Brooks today. He came in with a bum knee, fumbled twice, and then left the game for good without even attempting a pass. The Raiders offense looks like it’s in serious trouble and should be avoided if at all possible. Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan are still worth roster spots, but that’s about it.
ALSO: Kerry Collins (57 yards, 2 INT), Damon Huard (133 yards), Charlie Frye (244 yards, 2 INT, 1 Fumble), Andrew Walter (162 yards, 3 INT), Jake Plummer (173 yards, 1 INT), J.P. Losman (83 yards, 1 TD), Jake Delhomme (181 yards)
Carnell Williams (15 touches, 37 yards)
This honor could have easily gone to Jordan, but I’d rather not send any more Raider fans to the ledges just yet. Carnell Williams has his second straight poor outing, and one has to wonder if that back is bothering him more than he’s letting on. The Tampa Bay passing game showed some signs of life, so hopefully Caddy will find the onramp next week.
ALSO: LaMont Jordan (19 touches, 35 yards), Chris Brown (7 touches, 9 yards), DeShaun Foster (15 touches, 43 yards), Jamal Lewis (19 touches, 70 yards)
Lee Evans (2 rec, 19 yards)
Other than Steve Smith, has there been a bigger disappointment in the world of wideouts than Lee Evans? In the first two games, Evans has four catches for 44 yards. Of course, J.P. Losman is at least partly to blame, and it’s hard to expect anything from Evans if the Buffalo passing game continues to put up numbers like these. But you know – as soon as you bench him – he’ll have a 130-yard day. So somebody bench him…please!
ALSO: Rod Smith (2 rec, 16 yards), Eddie Kennison (2 rec, 39 yards), Larry Fitzgerald (4 rec, 52 yards)
Tony Gonzalez (2 rec, 7 yards)
I really thought with Huard under center, that the team would lean on Gonzo even more. Let’s see, Herm Edwards, Tony Gonzalez is your best receiver – wouldn’t you want to throw more than four passes to him? After a big game last week, Gonzo’s performance was a huge letdown.
ALSO: Alge Crumpler (1 rec, 22 yards), Ben Watson (3 rec, 39 yards), Antonio Gates (4 rec, 55 yards)
