Tales Of The Week – Week 2 Edition
By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr.
Headline Photo Credit: Chanelle Smith-Walker/Carolina Panthers
Up
Washington Football Team
Life is all about taking chances and making decisions. When someone may be looking for something, often times it’s right there in front of us and we don’t even realize it. You could be searching for love, and there’s a beautiful woman you’ve always been friends whom you spend a lot of your time with but never went on a romantic side of things. She’s literally been right there under your nose this whole time. Or it could even be something like home improvements. Recently, I was searching for a decorative bench to put in my kitchen. I couldn’t quite find one I really liked so it stalled. And then it hit me. I had a bench in my home office that didn’t quite fit and took up a lot of space. That whole time, what I been searching for was right there, under my nose! Taylor Heinicke started for the WFT in their playoff game last season vs. the Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers and he played quite well. Still, Washington signed Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason and now that he’s hurt again, Heinicke is back in. Heinicke had his first start of the season and WFT defeated the Giants 30-29. Heinicke had over 300 Passing Yards to go with 2 TD’s. Washington known as a run first/defensive team looked great airing it out in this game. WFT have been searching for a longterm QB for awhile known but Heinicke may be just what they need. Even when Fitzpatrick is healthy, expect for this team to stick with Taylor Heinicke.
Sam Darnold
Sometimes we all can benefit from a change of scenery. Perhaps that change of scenery is just what we need to bring out the best in us. Maybe our original scenery was asking too much out of us. Or maybe even setting up a work environment where we’re meant to fail. While the Jets loss to the Patriots in a blowout fashion while throwing 4 Picks, Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers improve to 2-0 defeating the Saints 26-7. In Sam Darnold’s tenure with the Jets, his offensive line was lousy. He couldn’t get any protection for dear life. He didn’t have much of a running game. Old man Frank Gore was his starting RB. He didn’t have any playmakers. He threw a lot of picks there. And he was left to win games independently not having any help at all. Sam Darnold is now a changed man! He’s got gis groove back. This is the Sam Darnold we all was expecting to see in New York. This is what a change if scenery can do for someone. Sam Darnold has good protection. He was only sacked 3 times in 8 Quarters. He’s playing with one of the best RB’s in the game in Christian Mcaffrey. He has playmakers all around him in DJ Moore, CMC, and Robby Anderson. And he now has a complete team that is a force on both sides of the ball. This is only the beginning for Sam Darnold and really, the best is yet to come.
Down
Indianapolis Colts (Carson Wentz)
In Corporate America, there’s a saying that goes “The Best Ability is Availability.” Men and Women show up to work everyday without any excuses or hindrances to their work. You can be a really good employee, but if you’re unable to come to work for any reason and even if you do show up, and you’re not at your best, chances are you’ll be on Indeed sooner or later. The Colts have a QB who has shown to be a talented player early on in his career. However, due to injury, he hasn’t had the best of luck over the years. They just acquired Carson Wentz and he went down before the regular season even started. He missed almost all of preseason and training camp but somehow he was healed in time to start the regular season. We are now in Week 2 and he is once again hurt yet again. In the league that we have now, if you don’t have an elite QB, chances are you’re not an elite team. Chances are you’re not going to win many games and you’re not going to the playoffs either. The Colts are 0-2 and may have to figure out who will start next week vs. the Titans in Tennessee. The most frustrating part here is that the Colts have a really good roster with or without Carson Wentz. Not taking anything against him. But the man cannot stay healthy to save his life unfortunately. Don’t be surprised if we see the Colts make a splash at QB soon because they will need a good insurance policy at that position.
Justin Fields
One of the worst things in life is being put in a situation that you can’t handle. Homes get foreclosures from time to time. Folks lose their jobs. And sometimes, kids can become college dropouts too. Sometimes it’s best to patiently wait so you can succeed in life. Parents always tell children not to grow up too fast or careful what you wish for in life. Ever since Andy Dalton was named the starting QB for the Chicago Bears, everyone has been lobbying to see Justin Fields take over the job. Now, I’m not saying in any way, shape, or form that Andy Dalton is a better player than the rookie, Justin Fields. But you have to look at the big picture here. Justin Fields is just a kid. Is he really ready for this moment now? The offense looks shot. They depend on the running game. So opposing defenses are just going to stuff the box. Their passing game isn’t feared. Outside of Allen Robinson, they don’t really have any weapons on the outsides. Their Offensive Line isn’t the best and the coaching staff is literally on thin ice. Justin Fields showed us all he can ball while he was at Ohio State. But having him in an incomplete offense and throwing him out there too soon could hurt you more so than help you.