Behind The Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, September 13, 2012
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| New Photo Gallery

Click Here for the E-Edition of
The South Reporter

Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

Interesting weekend in NFL

I am not going to be trite by using the old cliché, “This was the week(end) that was,” but the NFL got a chance to try out its latest new rule. The “sudden death” overtime has met a, well, sudden death. Now each team has an opportunity to score.

There were three names in the NFL which a good number of fans were keying on. First and foremost was perhaps Peyton Manning and his first real start as one of Denver’s newest horses. The intrinsic transition couldn’t have been all that hard. It is not a long stretch between a Colt and a Bronco (heh, heh).

Anyway, Peyton was getting a baptism by fire opening up against Pittsburgh’s steel curtain. After being dressed in Colts’ garb for all those years, the former Super Bowl champion quarterback might be a little blinded by the flashy attire of the Denver Broncos. If the lapse in vision did occur it didn’t last long because the senior QB lit up the Steelers for a victory.

Numbers two and three would have to be the first and second picks of the 2012 drafts. Andrew Luck didn’t get a win the first time on center stage but he didn’t do too badly. Luck had a tough act to follow. Being the number one pick in the draw doesn’t always mean instant fame. Do I have to name names? No. Good! (I probably couldn’t have anyway!)

But Luck didn’t have an easy day. Losing to the Bears in your opener (even if by 20 points) can’t possibly equate to a yardstick by which to measure a season. Chicago is a storied program. Whenever I mention the Bears team it is imperative that I think about all the memorable games the Bears and the Packers played over the years. So Andrew, just remember your surname and appreciate the fact that it is a long season.

R.G. III (Robert Griffin III) rounds out the trio. He made his debut in a 40-32 win over the New Orleans Saints in (of all places) the Superdome. R.G. deserves his props, going up against a veteran signal caller like Drew Brees, just three years removed from a Super Bowl championship. The rookie led like a pro, throwing for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. This record-setting performance by a rookie earned him a number four rating among quarterbacks on opening weekend. Did we mention already that this is going to be a long season?

And last (hoping the results will prevail the entire season), but not least, the Detroit Lions (my fave this year) won their opener versus St. Louis. The 27-23 victory spoiled the debut of The Rams’ new mentor, Jeff Fisher.

The talking heads (and man there are a lot of them), are expounding this as the most interesting opening weekend in the NFL in decades. I don’t disagree.

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or southreporter@dixie-net.com
Fax: (662) 252-3388
Questions, comments, corrections: southreporter@dixie-net.com
The South Reporter
P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter

Back | Top of Page