Manning joins rare company in Thursday night opener

Broncos fans have to be encouraged by the performance of Peyton Manning and the Denver offense, particularly in the second half of the opener Thursday night. Manning joined rare company in having thrown for seven touchdowns in a game – only five others have accomplished that feat.

Manning had closed in on the mark twice previously, tossing six TDs against Detroit in 2004 and against New Orleans in 2003 (Marvin Harrison benefited to the tune of six touchdowns combined in those two performances). But last night he joined the likes of George Blanda, Sid Luckman, Adrian Burk, Y. A. Tittle and Joe Kapp.

I don’t think much should be drawn on the second-half collapse as far as Baltimore is concerned. They’re generally a fundamentally sound team and they appeared to run into a buzz saw last night. The Ravens have work to do, but that is still a talented team that will win a fair number of games before it is said and done.

But Manning is currently on pace to throw for 112 touchdowns on the season. That’s obviously an unattainable number. But a year more recovered from his neck injury, Manning looks like he’s got a shot to compete for the league MVP award again this season — he finished second to Adrian Peterson — who is chasing his own (probably) unattainable goal of 2500 yards rushing this season in Minnesota.

So what are your reactions to Manning’s start? And how many touchdowns do you think he will end up with this season? Share your thoughts in the comment below and vote in the poll as well.

With 7 TDs in the opener, Peyton Manning is on pace to throw 112 for the season. How many do you think he will end up with?

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ZB NFL Preview 2013: Playoffs and Super Bowl

As we were writing the division previews and talking about how we were going to put these preseason projects together I got a message from contributing writer Rich Larson razzing me about this particular aspect of the assignments.

It’s pointless trying to predict what’s going to happen in the NFL, he says. Too many things are going to change over the next few months. Too many things have changed over the last several months.

And he’s right. Half the playoff teams will turn over from last season. About one-quarter of the league’s teams will dramatically underachieve based on our expectations and another quarter will surprise the hell out of us. So what’s the point?

Everyone else is doing it? Bragging rights? Who knows? But we did it anyway. Our eight division previews have been posted over the last several days and our playoff predictions, for better or for worse, are below. Let us know who you think is right on and who you think missed the mark. (more…)

Patriots still top dog in AFC East

With news that Aaron Hernandez was finally arrested today in conjunction with the murder of Odin Lloyd, the outlook changes for both our fantasy football tight end rankings and for the offense of the New England Patriots.

But there still isn’t anyone in the AFC East that is going to be able to dethrone Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and crew.

Yes, Wes Welker is in Denver, Rob Gronkowski is living out of the local operating room and Hernandez is facing the possibility that his next several years will be spent in a prison camp rather than training camp. (more…)

Outspoken views not only reason for Kluwe’s release

It’s not often that one of the week’s loudest and most frequently cited headlines involves the release of a punter.

But when the Minnesota Vikings dropped Chris Kluwe earlier this week, it ensured that during this relatively news less post-draft time, that a special teamer would be in the headlines for awhile.

Kluwe spent eight years in Minnesota, being best known alternatively between booming punts and a booming voice in favor of allowing gay people to get married. He’s largely been very good at both. His political involvement has garnered national attention and earned him Salon’s Sexiest Man of the Year Award.

He has never been to a Pro Bowl, but he’s generally been seen as one of the best punters in Vikings history. So yes, his release garnered some attention.

But the Vikings, in some quarters, are being skewered by those who believe his release means the team is cracking down on free speech and standing up against the support of gay marriage.

Kluwe is entitled to his opinion, whether I agree with it or not. To me, the bigger issue with Kluwe is how he expresses said opinion. I thought he was a bit obnoxious in the profanity-laced rant in Deadspin where he first got national attention for his views. In subsequent articles and interviews, both on gay marriage and other issues, he was much more reasoned. When he takes a more thoughtful, intellectual approach to making his argument, you can tell he is a really intelligent, albeit perhaps sometimes polarizing, guy. He acknowledges and embraces that and he is right when he says there are issues facing society that are much more important than kicking a football. (more…)

NFL Alumni Association teams with Neuralstem Inc. on traumatic brain injury trial

It’s easy this week to get wrapped up in all the hoopla surrounding the NFL draft. But as the league gets ready to welcome a new class of rookies, we all should also remember to keep an eye on the continuing developments surrounding the health issues of former players.

An announcement came out today that I thought was interesting and that I hope helps lead to a better quality of life for at least some former players. The National Football League Alumni Association and Neuralstem Inc. announced they are working together to develop a trial for treating NFL alumni who are suffering from traumatic brain injuries with NSI-189, a neurogenic drug platform.

NSI-189 is apparently a drug being tested as a possible treatment for major depressive disorder and, according to a statement, it appears to work by stimulating neurons in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that atrophies in depression and which also could be implicated in brain injury. (more…)

In depth 2013: Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens sailed to a 9-2 start to the 2012 season, nearly locking up the AFC North with a month left in the campaign. Four losses in five games dampened Baltimore’s momentum and in the middle of that stretch, coach John Harbaugh made the decision to change offensive coordinators.

That gutty move along with the emotion of Ray Lewis’ retirement announcement energized the Ravens heading into the postseason. The rest is history. Joe Flacco had a monstrous run up through the Super Bowl and Lewis and Matt Birk got to go out as champions.

So can Baltimore repeat? There’s been a ton of turnover, primarily on the defensive side of the ball. But some of the new faces represent younger, more athletic and more affordable options to the pieces they replaced. And with 12 draft picks in his arsenal, don’t discount Ozzie Newsome’s chances of putting together another competitive team, says Tony Lombardi, founder of Russell Street Report.

Zoneblitz: The Ravens had some ups and downs during the season but got it done with a championship in the end. How would you describe the 2012 ride? (more…)