2012 NFL Week 1 'BIG UPS' 9-11-12

Moss swaggin' out in the end zone, per usual.

Week 1 NFL season in the books.  So much to talk about, so much to look forward to.  Time to give props where props are due. The players and teams that caught my eye or surprised me the most in the week of NFL....now without further ado, LEGGO!-Mr. AllDayEryDay



The San Francisco 49ers.  The Green Bay Packers were coming off a disappointing end to last season after going 15-1, and getting bumped from the playoffs early, and probably couldn't wait to knock the blocks off the Niners in Week 1 at Lambeau . . . Jim Harbaugh's boys weren't having at as they used a now trademark physical style of play to subdue Aaron Rodgers and the vaunted Packers offense 30-22.  I would be remiss if I failed to mention one Randy Gene Moss, who had a 14-yard receiving TD that was his first in the NFL since Oct. 24 2010.

Robert Griffin, III.  Andrew Luck, 3 INTS in a loss . . . Ryan Tannenhill, 3 INTS in a loss . . . Brandon Weeden, 4 INTS in a loss . . . RGIII, balled out for 320 yards on 19-26 passing, 2 TDs and 0 INTS in a road win against the New Orleans Saints.  A lot of screen passes early, and it's just one game, I know, but it was the first game that really mattered, and it came against a team that was probably amped up about the overturning of player suspensions from the 'Bounty Gate' incident.  It's too early for playoff talk or even 'Griffining', but you have to admire the young man's poise.

The Dallas Cowboys.  Spoiled that Super Bowl party for the New York Giants, Tony Romo and the 'Boys were oh so rude on the opening night of the NFL.  Romo found a rhythm making quick passes to avoid the Giants premiere pass rush and it eventually softened up the ground game for DeMarco Murray to run.  It had to be a sweet feeling for Dallas to start the year with a win like that, where you execute with precision against a division rival and a team that knocked you out of playoff contention in Week 17 last year.  Now the only question is do they make noise in January for the first time in what, like 15 years?

Julio Jones.  If Calvin Johnson is Megatron, then I can definitely see Quintorris Lopez 'Julio' Jones transforming into Optimus Prime this year.  Jones had six catches for 108 yards and 2 TDs in a season opening 41-24 Falcons win over the Kansas City Chiefs.  The numbers aren't what give Jones the BIG UPS nod.  It's the combination of speed, athleticism, and sheer strength and aggressiveness at the point of attack.  We all know Julio has game breaking potential but it really looks like he feels comfortable in the league now and has lost all the tentativity that young players experience.  Nothing but big things and more BIG UPS ahead for this kid, no doubt in my mind.


BIGGEST UPS
BALTIMORE RAVENS & ED REED.

Reed has 58 career interceptions and seven return TDs.

Reed, 34, set the NFL record for career interception return yards (1,497) after picking off Cincy's Andy Dalton on and returning it 34 yards for a TD.  Just another accolade to add that to the list of Hall of Fame-type play in Reed's illustrious career.  The Ravens rolled 44-13 over the Bengals and the defense looks dominant as ever.  Sack specialist and 'Ball So Hard' CEO Terrell Suggs will be out for a while after off-season knee surgery, but expect rookie OLB Courtney Upshaw to pick up the slack.  Joe Flacco gets better with every snap and has complete command of the Jon Harbaugh offense.

DeSean Jackson = "Bad A$$"

He's not leading the league in receptions, yards, or touchdowns but he sure is first place in another category in my book: #1 Bad Ass.  Dude is leaving Ochocinco, T.O., and Randy Moss in the dust right now, as well as helpless would-be-tacklers.  The antics are too much for those old school football purists but for me, its pure entertainment.  And at the end of the day, ain't entertainment what sports are all about? But who else in the NFL is as entertaining as they are good?

5.  Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings.  Haven't seen the 'calf roping' sack celebration for a while? That's 'cause the league banned it.  Apparently you're not allowed to do a celebration that involves going down to a knee.  Yup. And also Allen hasn't played very well this year (grow back the mullet, please).  Either way, I'm sure Aaron Rodgers still has nightmares about it after getting sacked 7.5 times by Allen last year.

4.  Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans.  That run against the Chargers this year was a CJ2K classic.  This guy has flash and flare; the trademark dreadlocks and gold teeth, and breakaway speed that makes Johnson an absolute nuisance.  Add in the Choppa City Juke touchdown celebration in Madden 11 and you have my friends what I call a bonafide HoodStar!

3.  Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars.  The boy is a basher between the tackles and explosive in the open field.  Highlight runs are scattered all over his resume, not to mention very innovative end zone celebrations.  Have you seen The Prada Store?

2.  Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens.  Already a legend.  Hands down the most exciting defensive player to watch once he gets his hands on the ball.  He can run it back himself or let a teammate handle things, like when he picked-and-pitched to Dawan Landry for a TD against the Panthers this year.

1.  DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles.  As if stopping on the Dallas one yardline and falling backwards after a crazy catch and run wasn't enough last week, D-Jack bobbles the punt return against the Giants, goes BACKWARDS, then cuts through the New York special teams before running baseline on the end zone and just ripping the guts out of the Giants in the new Meadowlands.  Bad A$$.