Studs and Duds, Week Three: Ronnie Brown Is Now In My Five

Posted Sep 22, 2008 11:40AM By Shane Bacon (RSS feed)

Filed Under: NFL Fans

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his face-mask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's our new feature, Studs and Duds:

Here's Week 3 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory.

Studs and Duds

For once, T.J. Houshmandzadeh made fans think about a Bengals receiver and not hear the "Cops" theme playing in the background.

Elsa, Getty Images

Perhaps Jared DeVries and the Lions should just consider crossing over the Ambassador Bridge and trying to play some Canadian Football League teams. That way, they might win one once in a while.

Jeff Chiu, AP

Ronnie Brown did it all against the Patriots, rushing for four touchdowns and even throwing for another one as the Dolphins handed New England their first regular-season loss since 2006.

Michael Dwyer, AP

Ben Roethlisberger may be ready to sue his offensive line for non-support, as the Eagles' pass rush harassed the quarterback all game and knocked the star out of the game.

Hunter Martin, Getty Images

The Bills are 3-0 for the first time since the Thurman Thomas days, and they have another talented back to thank. Lynch ran in a pair of touchdowns and helped keep the ball moving as Buffalo rallied to beat Oakland.

Rick Stewart, Getty Images

Maybe Tom Brady is the prozac for Randy Moss, as with the Patriots' star quarterback out with injury, the Pats' receiver seems to have reverted into his sullen Oakland ways.

Jim Rogash, Getty Images

Thanks to Derek Anderson's struggles, Brady Quinn might actually get to put down that clipboard and begin to try to become the franchise quarterback many thought he'd become.

Scott Boehm, Getty Images

Martin Gramatica had the game on his foot against the Broncos. Unfortunately for Martin, his kick was wider than Hurricane Ike's wrath.

Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

Studs

Ronnie Brown, RB Miami (17 rushes, 113 yards, 4 TDs, 1 Passing TD) -- Most of the time, if you can find the end zone on five separate occasions and do so against the Patriots, you will most likely make this list. Brown had a combined 48 yards in his first two games but came out of the gates this week like a new man. Ricky Williams need not worry, he added 98 yards to the Dolphins rushing attack.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR Cinc (12 catches, 146 yards, 1 TD) -- Yes, you read that correctly, a Cincinnati Bengal just made the "studs" category and it wasn't even the prison issue! Hous is quickly becoming Carson Palmer's favorite target and for good reason. I think it is worth noting that out of the two known Bengal receivers, the guy with the last name "Johnson" decided to change it and not the guy with the last name "Houshmandzadeh." Sports writers around the country slap their foreheads.

Brady Quinn, QB Clev (Get Those Starting Shoes Ready) -- Hey Brady, you know that stinker you've been expecting from Derek Anderson all this time? Yeah, well, there you go. Also, it will be nice to sweat for the first time since filming that EAS commercial, won't it?

Marshawn Lynch, RB Buf (23 rushes, 83 yards, 2 TDs) -- With the Bills slowly becoming a force in the AFC, Lynch needed a game like this to cement himself as a top-5 back in the league. With Trent Edwards not having his best game, Lynch stepped it up a notch to get by an Oakland team that might not be as bad as we initially thought.

Duds

Randy Moss, WR NE (4 catches, 25 yards) -- Just in case you didn't know, stamps went up since the last time you mailed in a season.

Marvell Smith, Chris Kemoatu, Justin Hartwig, Kendall Simmons, and Willie Colon, Offensive Line, Pitt -- I know the Eagles are good, but is this the game we realize that crowning the Steelers "AFC Champions" in week 2 was a touch premature? Also, nice job blocking guys. Nine sacks, a forced intentional grounding for a safety in the end zone and having your star running back, Willie Parker, gain just 20 yards doesn't exactly scream fun Monday screening day.

Detroit Lions (Football team) -- The bad news? You're 0-3. The bad news? You're 0-3 and have played Atlanta and San Francisco. Even worse news? I thought for a few minutes if "football team" was the appropriate title to put next to your team.

Martin Gramatica, K NO (1-3, Missed game winning kick) -- I think you can add Gramatica on the list of people that continue to make the Broncos look better (see, Hochuli, Ed). With a chance to win the game for the Saints, Gramatica missed wide right after missing a previous kick at the end of the first half.

Who just missed out?

Near Studly: J.T. O'Sullivan, Michael Turner, Frank Gore, and Steve Slaton.

Near Dudly: Jake Delhomme, Saints Offensive Line, Steve Smith, Anderson, Anyone that had to watch the entire Steelers-Eagles game.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-22-2008 @ 1:41PM

Arthur said...

Saints Offensive Line played average they just two week in a row don't seem to push on 3rd or 4th and one. I would probably put Saints D except Vilma as my dud.

9-22-2008 @ 1:54PM

gary said...

OK Brown had one good game. and Brady Quinn will be a bust just like Anderson.
But yes the Detriot Lions are horrible.
More thoughts http://egrupes.com/blogs/

9-25-2008 @ 11:56AM

kimmygorden said...

'S'cuse me!

There are a long list of Duds out there a-setting Fantasy Leagues in turmoil. Lemme just whip this out:

Peyton Manning:

DUDE! I drafted you in round 1! I coulda pulled a quality RB with the 7th pick of the whole draft but I grabbed you, thinking I was being all slick and getting a deal.

I know you had that surgery on your bursa sac and whatnot but you gotta come correct, son. This is about MY fantasy league, bro.
You had 3 weeks and now what? A BYE week. You're killing me.
Take this week and pull it together or that's IT! I'm totally gonna sit you...(we both know I CAN'T sit you so just pull it together).

Andre Johnson:

Yeah, the hurricane and all that kept him out of week 2- understandable. But where was he this week? HUNH!?
These 2-5 pt. weeks will not stand, man!

Pull Schaub aside and straighten his ass out. Steve Smith would.

Steve Smith:
How in the hell you gonna let Delhomme keep you from getting a shot in the endzone? Does he not know what happens to those who disrespect?

Brandon Marshall comes back and slaughters the endzone like he owns it and 70 yards in receptions is how you gonna come back off of being sent to the corner?
I know you better than that.

The Smith needs to drum up some TDs next week- MAD TDs= period.

Braylon Edwards:

I don't know who I should be looking at the hardest- you or Anderson.
Now, I saw you get lit up a couple of times in week 2 and it's understandable to drop a ball when you got 300 pounds of flesh and pads hitting you at 40 mph while you ain't looking-
But to see some balls tumble off your fingertips- well, that's painful for ME to watch and that's what this is all about isn't it? ME.
Me and the fact that STILL feel foolish if I try to bench you because you're supposed to be the man.
Do us both a favor and be the man, man!

New England:

This week was just ridiculous, alright.
I mean, that don't even make any SENSE.
I felt like I was watching a bad WildCats sequel.

I was gonna call out Cassel, Moss and Welker but really Moss and Welker are good (actually Welker didn't have too bad a game considering)- It's the whole team that's the problem.

You can't let Miami come out and clown you like that! You guys are loaded with 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks for a reason, man!
Ya'll already jacked us FF managers by letting Brady take a shot- now you wanna fall apart?
I don't think so. Not on my watch.
Use this BYE week to pull your shit together, PLEASE.

There is no way Brady was THAT much of the team.

Santonio Holmes:
Everybody and their mama was talking about how this is the breakout year for you.
The only thing your breaking right now is my back, bro.
No. You're also breaking my wallet- as I watch my money league fly away with my hard earned cash!
I know it's not all your fault. Big Ben got jacked up big time- 8 big times I think- but that don't bring in them fantasy points.
Figure it out.
If this ain't your breakout year then SPEAK UP or at least give me one good game so's I can trade you for Miles Austin- I heard that kid can catch!

9-22-2008 @ 8:25PM

Matt Snyder said...

Kimmy - That message ruled.

9-22-2008 @ 1:55PM

Gary said...

More NFL news and notes. http://egrupes.com/blogs/

9-22-2008 @ 4:56PM

Jay said...

Wait until the Eaglers play the Giants.....see if they get nine sacks that game. Steelers are a bunch of losers.

9-22-2008 @ 5:19PM

gary lett said...

Any sportswriter or reporter that wrote anything negative towards Kenny Perry's golf schedule this year should apologize. He had the insight to go after a great achievement, did so, and reaped the rewards.