neugey

I'm interested in knowing what you all think about the first week of the NFL, where nearly every team passed, passed and passed some more. Despite some thrilling games, it kind of feels like I've been watching MAC college football.

Let's review the facts ...

• Brees and Rodgers setting combined passing yardage record for debut game
• Cam Newton passing for 422 yards in his rookie debut.
• Tom Brady and Chad Henne eclipsing the record for most combined passing yardage in a game (and I thought that Marino vs Bledsoe game many years ago was a real Fins/Pats shootout!)
• Almost every QB and their dog is passing for 300+ yards.
• The Jets, of all teams, let the very erratic Sanchez throw the ball as if he was Joe Montana in his heyday and it very nearly lost them the game.
• I haven't seen the record, but I would be willing to bet that this week set an all-time NFL record for passing yardage per team in a week.

I begin to wonder if Andy Reid's plans for world domination include getting into every NFL QB's headset and calling pass plays and he has somehow become successful in this endeavour. The stats from this first week look like they came out of NFL Fever, the old XBox game where even my Grandma could throw for 300 yards playing it. Indeed, these are passing numbers that would cause June Jones himself to blush.

So what happened to all these sound bytes and words of commitment to running the ball more? I know talk is cheap with teams saying they will always run the ball and then they forget about it when push comes to shove. But I did not imagine virtually the entire league greatly lessening the run all at once. And even more confusing, I thought the lockout would cause teams to play a little more conservative, not wild and zany, with the elimination of offseason workouts and playbook study.

So I ask, is this going to be a continuing development this season? Is it even worth drafting a RB in the first round, in fantasy or real life, anymore when all teams do is try to do is shift and spread teams out and pass? What are reasons the league is going pass happy? Are pass D's really that bad? Are QB's really that good? What happened to all these "Psycho" formation and zone-blitz defenses that have been effective against the pass? Did they somehow stop working this year? Interested in hearing your thoughts.

I do hope the NFL returns somewhat back to normal with regard to the run. I love watching a good Ace or I-formaton running attack with good blocking and execution as much as I like watching Brees or Brady dissect a defense and throw into impossible lanes. And it's very often more beneficial strategically to wear down a defense than to pass it around them.

Crusader

A big reason is that all QBs wear a skirt nowadays and can't be tackled. DBs can be physical against WRs anymor either so that has just opened everything up in the passing game.

strato

Pass pass pass...pass pass pass....pass that frikin ball...that ball....lol

saintfan

This probably has a lot to do with it. Good observation sir. In fact the more I think about it the more I think this probably has everything to do with it.

neugey

Wilbon on pass-happy NFL - Tom Brady and Chad Henne top alarming first week of pass-happy offense - ESPN

And the obituary for NFL defense -

Doomsday for defense in the NFL? - Philly.com

homerj07

Is it even worth drafting a RB in the first round, in fantasy or real life, anymore when all teams do is try to do is shift and spread teams out and pass? QW by neugey

NO - That was a major criticism of the Titans paying C JOhnson so much money when there are always good RBs poping up in the later rounds!!
(PT Cruiser - who??)

Saints_2231

I agree with the assessment of week 1, but adjustments will be made and the style/tempo will swing a couple times during the season.

While we're fortunate to be one of the "haves" as far as a passing game goes, there's something to be said for having a back who can wind the lock for you once you've got the lead.