Tavern Talk: Three-Step Dots - by Mike Lombardi

National Football Post

Based on the first game of year, I’m worried about the Colts’ left tackle spot. They might be able to cover this up now, but not later in the season. Charlie Johnson struggles—and will struggle—against better teams.

Jacksonville's Eugene Monroe had a rough opener against Indy's Dwight Freeney.

Eugene Monroe, the first-round pick of the Jags, had a tough week—which was expected because he was facing Dwight Freeney in his first game. He was beaten more times than I can count. The Jags will have a hard time functioning well on offense early in the season without giving some help to Monroe.

Donald Brown is going to be very good, and the fact the Colts use him as their personnel protector on the punt coverage team tells you they love him, too. He’s going to help the Colts a great deal this year. His blitz protection was solid.

Former Lions' head coach Monte Clark passed away today. Monte was a very nice man and a solid football coach. My first NFL game as an employee of the 49ers was against his Lions in 1984. His son Bryan was our backup quarterback on that team. My condolences go out to his family.

Reggie Wayne of the Colts seems to get better and better with each year. He’s as smooth as it gets.

Tampa Bay will need to make sure it fixes its confusion issues on defense as the Bucs gave up too many big plays. Had they been in better position, they might have been able to make a stop.

The Bucs’ offense will be too tough for some teams to handle. They’ll move the ball on most teams because they have talent to be a complete offense. They gave the Cowboys more problems than they expected.

Dallas looked lost and confused on defense and had trouble getting lined up. They need to get those problems fixed if they expect to beat the Giants.

Allen Barbre of the Packers easily could have made the Diner list this morning as he needs to step up his game if he’s going to be productive at right tackle. He was clearly a weak link in the Packers’ line.

Atlanta's Kroy Biermann held his own against Miami's Jake Long.

DE Kroy Biermann of the Falcons makes more plays than first-round pick Jamaal Anderson and is the better player. He gave Jake Long of the Dolphins trouble on a few plays as well last week.

Watching Phillip Merling of the Dolphins play this week, I’m reminded how everyone thought he was a first-round pick before he was injured. And the reality is that he clearly has first-round talent and plays like a first rounder.

Watching the game on TV, I wasn’t sure how the Chargers’ Shawne Merriman was playing. Watching the tape, he played well and is back. He’s going to get better and better as the knee gets stronger.

Darrius Heyward-Bey of the Raiders will continue to see bump coverage the rest of the year until he proves he can escape. No matter how fast you might be, if you can’t get away from press, you won’t make many plays.

Tight end Todd Heap of the Ravens looks healthy and back to his old self. He’ll be a huge part of this new and explosive Ravens' offense.

Outside backer Jarrett Johnson of the Ravens makes my all underrated team. He’s very good.

Week Two of the NFL season and already there are must-win games for some teams. Don’t you just love the NFL?

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