Lonn Phillips Sullivan
Sep 14, 20207 min
Updated: Feb 14, 2021
by Lonn Phillips Sullivan
@LonnPhillips
Today felt like a very different opening day than many, right? The pandemic causing the closing down of stadiums from fandom and scores of media now down to the bare bones... at best we're left with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman's distracted visage....Cam Newton starting for the Patriots, Brady and Gronk for the Bucs, Las Vegas plays home to the Raiders, the Chargers finally winning a close game, but was it REALLY THAT different?
Aaron Rodgers put on a clinic, the Chiefs affirmed their title, the 49ers sludged around for 60 minutes and yet another army of rookie LSU Tigers announced themselves upon the NFL scene.
These 2019 Tigers are some lucky guys aren't they? Escaping the uncertainty of college football following a G.O.A.T season, a National Championship and an SUV-full of awards, signing big fat contracts and now making their NFL debuts.
We geaux through their Week 1 exploits, and for Kristian Fulton and Lloyd Cushenberry (who square off on Monday night football) we'll be delivering another grade of their showings on Tuesday.
Grade: A
From 3 punts, Ferguson delivered perfect snaps and precise protection, with zero issues. He's cooler than a cucumber, a real no drama mama and powerhouse firehouse of a long snapper.
He....does...not...perspire.
Grade: B+
23-36
193 yards
1 INT
8 rushes 46 yards
26 yard Rushing TD
(Game Winning TD pass to A.J Green negated due to flag)
Yes, he missed a wide open A.J Green by a foot in the end zone and he flipped an interception to Melvin Ingram on an ill-advised shovel pass, but Joe Burrow looked good today and gave every Bengals player and fan hope after today's gutty performance.
He scored a brilliant 26 yard tocuhdown run, his first in the NFL, using his offensive linemen to block his pathway into open daylight and seizing control, spiking the football with ultimate savagery.
Joe led an effective drive down the field under 2 minutes, guiding the Bengals within reach of victory. At the 3 yard line, he passed to A.J Green for what would've been the game winning touchdown....however, the referees ruled Green pushed off Chargers' Hayward Jr in order to create separation and the Bengals settled for a game tying field goal.
But the shocking unexpected happened when the Bengals kicker tore his hamstring on the kick, shanking a chip shot from only yards out and condemning the hungry Joe Burrow to his first loss since late November 2018.
He was that close....getting closer....he will atone in Week 2, just watch....A.J and Joe are about to explode.
Grade: C+ / NA
No Statistics
Demonstrated his trademark iron clad, robust physicality but couldn't make any big plays on the day...but he also didn't really receive enough opportunities to make said plays. Threw a blocker to the ground on one play, was utilized in goal-line packages but little else.
Frankly, the match up wasn't in Rashard's favor...Arizona's speedier lineup seen throughout the day had far more success against Jimmy G.
GIVE RASHARD TIME! He's gonna be great...dood already is.
Grade: B+
2 Tackles, 1 Solo,
2 Pressures
(1 INT Negated due to flag)
Chaisson received ample playing time, but found himself unlucky during the 27-20 win over Phillip Rivers' Indianapolis, an intriguing debut for the former Tigers' edge rusher.
Chaisson dueled most of the game against Colts RT Braden Smith, rushing in on Rivers or at least keeping the entire right side of the Indy O-line occupied and off limits.
K'Lavon was at his best when stunting inside or placed in random spots along the line, slightly pressuring Rivers into an ill advised interception earlier in the game.
Later on the ball would find #45's grasp, but once again, a pass interference flag ruined a big Week 1 play for a Tiger:
Just like Joe's winning touchdown, Chaisson scanned Rivers, read the throw and picked off the potential Hall of Fame quarterback, nearly taking it to the house if he hadn't been tripped up early. Once again, the flag took away the interception, one of a number of pass interference flags thrown against the Jaguars during the sequence.
He still produced some pummeling hits & proved he more than belonged on the field, K'Lavon would be better used in different spots, utilizing his versatility.
Chaisson will destroy his AFC South rivals soon enough...
Grade: A+
138 yards rushing
5.5 Yards Per Carry
1 TD
At one point, Clyde was averaging 8.5 yards a rush during his blistering assault upon the Houston Texans, fulfilling his destiny and destroying all doubt as to where he belongs.
Defying conventional wisdom, Mahomes rarely targeted Clyde in the passing game: the Texans flew to Clyde every time he swept out of the backfield for a pass, opening lanes for Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins.
However much he was a decoy in the passing game, Clyde ran the ball like an uncontainable banshee, torching Houston on a blinding, mazy touchdown run through traffic, dodging hits and juking defenders as he flew into the end zone, flashing the 225 as he celebrated....ohhhhh mama we missed seeing this the last 8 months didn't we????
No one can deny Clyde....his teammates love him, the fans are obsessed...and boy are we proud. He's a rock in the protection game too, solidifying the league's best offense to an even higher apex....when he predictd he'd drop 150 combined yards and 2 TDs before opening night, we didn't understand he'd come close to that number on the ground alone!!!
Now he's shown just how multi-dimensional his influence can be upon this Super Bowl-winning juggernaut...think about it...he's already making Head Coach Andy Reid flabbergasted, his face shield becoming cloudier when Clyde ran the ball...poor Andy was just like us, he could barely catch a breath watching Clyde's Barry Sanders astronomy.
Keep flying, Clydro, you made mother Tonge' very proud!
Grade: A+
8 tackles, 4 solo
1 TFL
1 Sack
1 QB Hit
In a commanding, rampant performance from Baltimore, Patrick Queen established his defense-leading identity when he stormed Baker Mayfield's Browns.
First in tackles with 8, 4 being solo efforts, Queen also sacked Mayfield and caused continuous havoc, orchestrating a swarming Baltimore defense.
The rookie Tiger middle linebacker was the focal point of the Ravens' 38-6 dismantling of Cleveland, the high octane unit forcing a fumble, intercepting Mayfield and turning in a powerful display, all based around the stunning athleticism of Patrick Queen.
Queen is now the King of Baltimore.
Grade: B-
2 tackles, 1 solo
Although he started, Phillips wasn't able to make the impact he would've liked...and the Cleveland defense could've used his energy, side to side speed and finishing ability, however Lamar Jackson is just a special dood....the Browns couldn't make a tackle, missing Grant Delpit's "freight train of blood reign" horribly throughout Week 1.
During the second half, Jacob also suffered a bad knock to his leg / knee (the team keeping it a bit vague) and his status for Week 2 is up in the air.
If healthy, Phillips will explode in Week 2... and the Browns better hope he's available...or Cleveland could be staring down an 0-2 record.
Grade: B-
2 catches 26 yards
(17 yard reception)
Targeted only 3 times by QB Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson couldn't affect the Vikings' profligate offense as they lurched without any discernible rhythm in a stop-start shootout loss to Green Bay.
It was a sloppy game where Jefferson received little love, although he did haul in a flashy 17 yard grab which demonstrated all of his high flying attributes.
Cousins needs to start trusting his rookie receiver if Minnesota is to navigate their way through a much-tougher NFC North than perceived. Jefferson can open up the offense, Cousins' passing lanes, give Thielen extra space and open up the dominant Vikings' running game.
Grade: NA
DNP
He's not starting, Geron Christian Jr looked excellent and there are some concerns about his handling of the NFL level...we feel Shaadiq will be more than adequate as a left tackle in the NFL, however he must take the opportunity when he gets his chance and must ratchet up the discipline to make that a reality.
Grade: NA
We're not sure if he took the field during the Tampa Bay Vs New Orleans game, he at least didn't register a statistic.
Grade: B+
1 Sack allowed
Although he was beat in a one on one matchup by Atlanta's Grady Jarrett for a sack on his QB Russell Wilson, right guard Damien Lewis continued to pound away and provide fantastic protection for Russ.
The Seahawks' QB tossed 4 TDs in a 38-25 win over Atlanta and Lewis is a big, fortified, solidified wall for Wilson.
Geaux Tigers
by Lonn Phillips Sullivan
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2020 Uninterrupted Writings INC LLC
SHOUTOUTS TO: AD for being a really damn good friend, Jamer hang in there!!!, Jamie Thornhill you are a die hard fan who has my eternal respect, Jacques Doucet, Cody Worsham, Jonny Bierman, Joseph Rutkowske for his friendship and hilarity, Josh Lemoine, Clay Buckner's badass ways, AG Silver for starting me on this path...