Gentlemen, start your seasons!
That's right, folks. Yesterday's snoozefest between the Giants and Redskins means that the 2008 NFL season is finally upon us!
There were a lot of happenings this week, so let's get right down to business.
Bye, Bye, Daunte
In a shocking move, former Vikings, Dolphins, and Raiders (oh my!) QB Daunte Culpepper announced his retirement yesterday...in an email to NFL Network's Adam Schefter.
A first-round pick in the much-hyped quarterback class of 1999, Daunte was a force to be reckoned with in his earlier days. He and superstar WR Randy Moss were a deadly duo, but they were never able to get far in the playoffs.
Moss, of course, signed with some team last year that went on to break some record, only to lose to the freakin' Giants in the Super Bowl.
Culpepper was never able to regain his Pro Bowl-caliber mojo after getting the axe in Minnesota. He was signed by the Dolphins in 2006, but injuries kept him from seeing much time. He was unceremoniously cut the next year, and he then was part of Oakland's quarterback committee last season.
He couldn't find a team this time around, so he decided to hang it up instead of wait it out.
Daunte will be missed, and the game will probably be the same without him.
(Oh, and if you were wondering: The only QB taken in the first round of the 1999 draft who is still employed? That's the Eagles' signal caller Donovan McNabb, taken second overall. The '99 draft, of course, featured such superstars as Akili Smith and Tim Couch.)
Burress Buried in Cash
Giants wideout Plaxico Burress just got paid.
One of the stars of Super Bowl XLII, Burress had been lobbying for a new contract during the offseason. His shiny new five-year, $30 million contract was announced just before kickoff last night. Burress proved he was worth the money by catching 10 balls for 133 yards.
This contract probably makes him the highest-paid player to wear No. 17.
Notes from NY
The opening game had the superstars and the glamour of a typical opening game, but there was one thing noticeably missing—a good football game.
The Giants scored the only touchdown of the night on their first possession, and neither team exactly impressed.
The 'Skins are looking like the worst team in the NFC East right now, which would probably make them the best team in the NFC West, if, y'know, our nation's capital happened to be on the other side of the country. Or something.
Anyway, both teams were sluggish in their execution, but it's early. As for their title defense season, Giants fans can't exactly gripe about a 1-0 start.
Introducing the New Chad John—I mean, Ocho Cinco.
Chad Johnson has done it, people. He has found a way to be more obnoxious than ever...without opening his mouth.
In the most bizarre story of the offseason, Bengals WR Chad Johnson officially changed his last name to Ocho Cinco.
Seriously, Chad?
It's bad enough that he had an off year last season, and that he made all kinds of bad press over the summer. Now he has legally changed his last name so that he can have "Ocho Cinco" on his jersey. Come on, man!
What did the NFL say about this?
"It's his legal surname."
Wow.
That's right, kids! Get your Chad Ocho Cinco jerseys today!
Here's my question to all of you out there: If Ocho Cinco has another bad year, do you think the Bengals will regret not running off into the night with Washington's first-round pick?
Patrick's Fearless Friday Picks
One game is in the books, so now it's time to highlight some select games over the weekend.
Jets at Dolphins
CBS, 1 PM EDT
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