It took almost two years in prison. It took almost three years away from the game he grew up playing, but now Michael Vick is the NFL's poster child again.
What has he done to earn such distinction? He's recorded back-to-back wins for the Philadelphia Eagles in dramatic fashion, the first one a 35-32 barnstormer against the Detroit Lions. In the second game, named the starter earlier in the week, Vick completed 17 of 31 passes for 291 yards in a 28-3 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Where was this guy when he was in the NFC South facing the Saints?
Actually Vick played pretty good against New Orleans, nearly splitting the win total. Of course, that was when his cousin, Aaron Brooks took snaps behind center as a Saint.
But will Vick continue to play well? Will the NFL actually feature him in commercials and marketing campaigns as it did for six years before Dog Gate?
Time will tell. In the meantime, I'm glad the Saints don't have to face him this year. At least not in the regular season.
The day of reckoning if upon the Tigers, a bonafide, sturdy, rambunctious SEC home game is ahead for Les Miles' boys. The formidable Tennessee Volunteers, themselves searching for an identity, are licking their chops as they visit the Bayou Bengals this Saturday.
Well, the 3-1 Vols aren't exactly licking their chops.
Last week, the Volunteers gave up 429 yards to a UAB quarterback and receivers that flew around like meteors. Tennessee still won, but barely.
LSU will not pass for 400-some yards.
LSU will not pass for 300 yards.
LSU is averaging 110 yards, dead last in the SEC.
"Offensively nobody is satisfied in our building," said Miles said recently.
As the fans' discontentment grows to the point of being disillusioned, Miles continues to put a happy face on the offense, I mean, they're 4-0, right?
"Our running backs are coming to life and our line understands the commitment to running the ball," Miles said. "If that characteristic maintains itself over time, we will be a very good offense."
But that "will be" may take a while.
Tennessee, for its part, can't keep its quarterback upright. Matt Simms was downed something like six times against UAB. He's been sacked 14 times in three games and as a result he's said he's kind of "mastered" it. Wow.
But Tiger Stadium is a terribly difficult place to play -- for both teams, it seems.
And Jordan Jefferson has not shown the gumption to play gutsy, confident football yet.
So, the Drave Nevis, the defensive line, and Patrick "Heisman" Peterson will need to score six or so.
Let's hope so, because LSU's offense won't put much points on the board.
Well, Garrett Hartley finally missed one that cost us the game, like Saints kickers in the past, most recently Olinda Mare.
With a first and goal at about the Falcons 12 yard line, the Saints try a field goal with about 9 seconds left in regulation. I thought it was enough time to try one pass to Marquez Colston, but evidently Sean Payton thought otherwise.
I told you the 4 things the Saints needed to do to win the game. The Saints did only one of them today, and that was try, with success, the long ball.
The Falcons, led by a strong running game powered by Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, were able to methodically move down the field in OT and kick the game winner.
The Atlanta Falcons come down to the Big Easy for a showdown over NFC South supremacy today.
The Saints, 2-0, have had one of the NFL's most potent offenses over the last few years. But not this year. The offense has scored only two touchdowns each in the two games this season. The Saints margin of victory this year? 3.2 points.
Still, the Falcons, who looked like world beaters last week when they obliterated the Arizona Cardinals 41-7, can't afford to rest on their laurels.
Here are 4 things that need to happen for the Saints fans to continue to party on Bourbon Street after the game.
GO LONG: The Saints have taken several shots downfield this season and the success has been lacking. Speedy receiver Devery Henderson has been just out of the reach on a couple of those balls as Drew Brees shook the rust off in week 1 and had to contend with high winds in week 2. These week, playing in the Super Dome, he'll have none of those excuses. Henderson and Robert Meachem will both need to fly downfield and look up for the deep ball.
The Falcons have upgraded their secondary specifically for this game (despite what they say), so they have been anxiously awaiting the aerial techniques of Brees and Co.
RUN, PIERRE, RUN: Running back Pierre Thomas has not had a breakout game this season although he has been effective in spurts. With Reggie Bush out for at least 6 weeks, Thomas will have to show that he can carry the load now. The Saints brought in former Redskins runner LaDell Betts for change up, but Thomas will be the majority of the carries. In two games so far, he's averaging a paltry 3.2 yards a carry, but let's face it: Thomas has asked to be the focal point in the Saints running attack for a few seasons now, here's his chance. Against a stout Falcons defense, is 100 yards on the ground asking too much of the Saints running game?
T.O. RATIO: Saints lived off turnovers on their run to the Super Bowl last year, and this year they've seemed to get better at it, if that's possible. While the Saints are 19th against the pass, they are No. 1 in the NFC in forcing turnovers. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes, but surely, in a hostile dome for the first time this season, he'll make a few.
STOP TURNER: No NFL team, anywhere this season, has faced three premier running backs in three consecutive weeks as the Saints will be doing when Falcons bruiser Michael Turner comes to town. In week 1, the Saints held Adrian Peterson to 87 yards. In week 2, Frank Gore slashed them for 5 yards a carry on the way to 112 big ones on the ground (It would have been worse if the Saints didn't force crucial turnovers inside their own 30 yard line three times). Now comes Turner, who churned up the Saints for more than 150 yards in their last meeting at the Dome. Turner is not the fastest back, but when he's going downhill he is hard to bring down. Also add all purpose back Jason Snelling, who ran out of his mind last week vs. Arizona (129 yards) and the Falcons are bringing the most potent running tandem the Saints have faced this year and maybe last year too.
But -- and that's a big but -- if the Saints can do the aforementioned things today, the Saints win. And that's my story.
The Georgia Bulldogs have mailed in three weeks of uninspired football -- all losses -- and it just doesn't look like the same UGA.
What's up with the Dawgs? They've lost again, this time 24-12 to Mississippi State.
Mississippi State's Chris Relf, who ran for 97 yards and passed for double that, looked like Michael Vick out there as the Bulldogs were held to two field goals until the final minutes.
The absence of A.J. Green cannot be underestimated, but no one expected this. UGA coach Mark Richt has always done a fine job of not making the game about one player.
College kids go down all the time (i.e. Ryan Perriloux). The coaches are supposed to make the players forget about them and go on to the next guy on the bench, the next recruit.
In this regard, I'm surprised at Richt. He usually has a sound core with a few talented guys sprinkled in, but this quarterback Aaron Murray is making Joe Cox look like Joe Montana.
In all honesty, it's not all Murray's fault. There seems to be no senior leadership on this team --- and Bulldogs fans are getting restless.
Here's a snapshot taken from ESPN:
LSU just outlasted a determined, speedy, formidable West Virginia team bent on an upset. The Tigers scored on the first play of the 4th quarter for a six-point lead, and made it stand throughout the remaining hellacious 13 minutes and some change. LOOK! I even live-blogged it!
Up by six with the ever-dangerous but injured Noel Divine on the other side of the ball, the LSU defense rode it's swagger wagon, Patrick Peterson, to victory.
Peterson took back a punt 60 yards in the third quarter in a dazzling display that took the wind out of the Mountaineers, temporarily.
West Virginia stormed back from 17 points down to make it a three point game before LSU's workman-like rushing attack went into overdrive.
And Jordan Jefferson? No progress week to week, just the same DIH (Deer In Headlights) look he always has. Jarrett Lee, for the second game in a row, came in to finish the game after JJ simply flamed out mid-game. Again.
But Peterson? I think it's time we talked Heisman.
First off, congrats to the West Virginia Mountaineers. They have some special talents on both sides of the ball, starting with Divine.
LSU will win this one, but not in a going away fashion.
Some things are painfully evident. Les Miles and Gary Crowton still don't know how to coach Jefferson. Also, Jefferson just isn't progressing. Sorry, he just isn't. Other quarterbacks with his experience behind pocket are calling audibles, checking out of bad plays, confusing defenses. Not J.J.
The Tigers won, but barely. Not in a confident mode or dramatic fashion. They'll win this one as they've won against all the teams last year, and North Carolina this year: By the skin of their teeth. Yeah, but we can't be mad: We're 4-0, BABY (Top 10, here we come!)
Ridley up the middle on first and second down, and a modest pass short of the first down for Lee. LSU must punt.
Wow, Jarrett Lee has entered the game for Jefferson, who can't throw it in the ocean.
LSU's defense forces the punt with 8 minutes left in the game.
LSU's defense stuffs Divine one play after he turned a 3-yard loss into a 12-yard gain. #Dangerous
Nice run, Jefferson. LSU won't have enough for the first down despite getting first and goal at the 10 yard line. Jasper kicks the field goal. LSU 20 - WV 14.
LSU has turned to the ground, just like it did last game against Vanderbiilt. The passing game is terrible.
Nice pass in the flat from Jefferson to Randle. First down at the Mountaineers' 40 yard line.
Jefferson under center, the give is to Ridley who rips up the middle for 16 big ones.
Tests were negative for West Virginia's Divine (big toe), but will he be back?
Wait, Jefferson walks back out there on the field for the Tigers' possession. The crowd is booing. Again.
Jefferson looks scared, even on the sideline. The crowd is antsy about him going back in, and, well, how do you like that? Jarrett Lee, LSU's former starting QB, has put on his helmet and is warming up. The crowd is going crazy.
West Virginia gets a good run then a great throw. The Mountaineers are running well this drive, and mixing it up with the pass as well. Smith avoids a sack, pass complete to Jock Sanders for 13 yards = TOUCHDOWN MOUNTAINEERS. LSU 17 - WV 14
Jefferson looks lost, he scrambles for little gain on first down. On second down he throws it too high for Randle. Jefferson throws it ... INTERCEPTED by West Virginia. (crowd starts to boo Jefferson).
West Virginia looks determined this time, whoa, Geno Smith throws it complete to Stedman Bailey for 5 yards = TOUCHDOWN, Mountaineers.
3 AND OUT: A run for no gain. Jefferson overthrows an easy pass, then the receiver drops one.
LSU is trying to apply pressure, and it's working. West Virginia must punt.
Noel Divine, West Virginia's best runner, has evidently tweaked his leg, actually his toe. He is being taken out of the game.
Jefferson has entered one of his stagnant phases. His balls are low or ... INTERCEPTED.
Patrick Peterson grabs the kickoff out of the air, the 50, the 45, the 40, the 35 .... See ya! #Touchdown LSU.
LSU's Josh Jasper comes out to kick a field goal. GOOD. LSU 10- WV -0.
Thanks to Jefferson's quick feet LSU will keep the chains moving.
LSU's Jordan Jefferson looks shaky early. Hopefully he can calm down.
This didn't take long. TOUCHDOWN Ridley scores from one yard out. LSU 7 - WV -0
Wow, Steven Ridley looks good early. He just gashed West Virginia for about seven yards up the middle.
LSU opens up the game looking to answer some critics amid the Tiger Stadium faithful.
The New Orleans Saints are 2-0 and have won both games in dramatic fashion. Against the Vikings, the Saints struck early then went to a smashmouth running game to seal the victory, 14-10.
A week later, they traveled to Candlestick Park to face an aggressive 49er team and capitalized on four turnovers and the leg of kicker Garrett Hartley to escape with a 25-22 win.
It doesn't get any easier. This week, they host the Atlanta Falcons coming off a high-flying 41-7 win against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Saints will need more than 17 points to beat this team. Two offensive touchdowns a game won't cut it.
Will the Saints win? Especially without Reggie Bush, who broke his leg Monday night?
I don't know. What I do know is that with bruising running back Michael Turner coming to town, the Falcons will have faced three of the best running backs in the NFL in as many weeks.
In week one, Adrian Peterson ran around the Saints for 87 yards on 19 carries, a 4.6 yard-per-carry average.
In week two, Frank Gore plowed through them for 112 yards on 20 carries.
Now in week three, here comes Turner and a resurgent Jason Snelling.
How much can a defense take?
Everybody was waiting to see if the Saints would drop 35 or 40 on the San Francisco 49ers a week after they lost by 25 points to a new coach.
People were waiting for Drew Brees to throw for 400 yards, and for Reggie Bush to run a punt back for a touchdown.
They'll have to wait a little longer.
The Saints used the sturdy leg of kicker Garrett Hartley to escape Candlestick Park with a 25-22 victory on Monday night.
The Saints defense caused three turnovers, none bigger than when Courtney Roby recovered a muffed punt in the 4th quarter deep in 49er territory.
Bush left the game with a knee injury after getting piled on after briefly fumbling a fair catch. Brees was as cool as ice, but still a little off as several of his throws were high.
San Fran's Frank Gore gored the Saints defense for 100 yards rushing and quarterback Alex Smith looked like Fran Tarkenton, running around Saints defensive linemen for first downs.
Still, in the end, the Saints were able to move the ball methodically down the field after the 49ers tied it with a Vernon Davis two-point conversion.
Who Dat talking about beating dem Saints? Is it Atlanta?
LSU clobbered Mississippi State on Saturday in Death Valley 29-7, but looks are deceiving.
The Tigers' average starting field position was their 48-yard-line, meaning LSU would not pile up tons of yards but they gave up 152 yards on the ground.
True, the Bulldogs quarterback Chris Relf is a scrambler with shifty legs but it wasn't necessarily his ability to break tackles that led to MSU outgaining the Tigers in overall yardage. No, Mississippi State's O line created such gaping holes, the likes of which I haven't seen this season opposite the Tigers.
MSU backup quarterback Tyler Russell moved the ball decently against the Tigers -- when he wasn't throwing directly to them. LSU had five interceptions but should have had at least 40 points, but a stout MSU made an accounting of themselves. Stevan Ridley continues to have a strong season, finishing the game with just shy of 80 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Jordan Jefferson is basically in timeout since he threw a bad interception in the end zone against Vanderbilt. Les Miles and Gary Crowton have told him to just run the dang ball, and check down to his third receiver. He's done that and in doing so he's become a game manager, which is safer but not as dynamic.
LSU also continues to leave points on the board, this time at least 14 points due to several reasons and misques.
Can they beat the Auburns and Tennessees and Floridas with this kind of smashmouth run game and a ferocious defense? No, but they can compete.
LSU has yet to hit on all cylinders offensively in a game since the days of JaMarcus Russell. And that's a Saban recruit.
Last year in Starkville, LSU suffered mightily trying to ground up yards on the ground. LSU only managed 31 yards on 30 attempts, and Russell Shepard had 26 yards himself.
Jordan Jefferson had one of his best games throwing the long ball that day, hooking up with senior receiver Brandon Lafell for two touchdowns.
But it was the defense that saved the Tigers, ending the game with a goal line stand in the closing seconds.
This year, State, with a stout defensive line, is primed to turn the tables on the Tigers.
Will this be the game Jarrett Lee plays significantly? The offense has stalled under Jefferson, with the offensive coordinator effectively playing keep away last week at Vandy (one pass play after the first possession in the second half).
One thing is certain: The Tigers will need points.
"Defensively, they give up about 12 points a game and are a team that is really sticky against the run, " Miles said in an interview earlier this week.
The New Orleans Saints shook the rust off last Thursday in the 2010 season opener for the NFL. The Vikings had revenge on their minds after a horrendous NFC championship game that lifted the Saints to the Super Bowl and then on to victory.
As Week 1 came to a close around the NFL, the New Orleans victory was big because the Falcons and Carolina lost, giving the Saints an early 1-game lead. The Bucs also won their opener.
While the score was only 14-9, the Saints were pleased to get the win, as the city basically shut down and kids got out of school early for a Saints parade and banner unfolding.
Ah, the big easy.
Les Miles needed this one.
No, not necessarily the win, but the hard-running, rugged style that the win was executed.
LSU piled up almost 400 yards of offense on the Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville. It was a road win. It wasn't pretty. But it was emphatic.
Last week it was Patrick Peterson, this week it was running back Stevan Ridley who put an exclamation point on his night with a dazzling 65-yard touchdown run. Ridley's 144 yards on the ground helped LSU outgain Vandy 392 to 130.
Jordan Jefferson, regressing in front of the nation for the second straight game, was effectively pulled from the game after an ill-advised, underthrown pass in the endzone early in the third quarter. After that drive he played two more series, all handoffs, and both ended in touchdown runs. The only pass attempted the rest of the way was a zinged completion by second-stringer Jarrett Lee, who helped his case just by throwing it with confidence.
After the game, Les Miles was asked about Jordan's effectiveness. He didn't punt. "We're going to continue to evaluate our quarterback position, and frankly we're going to expect more out of the position," Miles said. "I think both those guys can give it to us. I think Jefferson definitely can, and we're going to encourage Lee because he's a guy who's going to have to win games for us as we go forward."
Translation: Jordan Jefferson has one more shot.
That shot will come against Mississipi State next week.
The Fighting Tigers opened the season with a dramatic nail-biter at the Chik-Fil-A Classic in Atlanta Saturday night.
LSU was up 30 - 10 over the North Carolina Tar Heels with 10 minutes left in the game, and had to hang on to win, 30-24.
The game should have been a blow-out.
Instead, it was almost a blow-up.
If not for the unsteady hands of a UNC tight end. Les Miles could be on a jet somewhere out of town. But the Football Gods are cruel.
No, we'll have to see the full gamut of Miles' coaching style, likely in a game with much more at stake.
UNC was a depleted team at kickoff, thanks to the suspensions of 13 players for various reasons. But does that qualify as a win with an asterik? No, because we all know if LSU had lost this game there would not be an asterik by the loss, just an exclamation point.
UNC fumbled on two of its first three offensive plays, but LSU didn't want anything easy. A 7-0 lead was soon matched at 7-7. But thanks to superb runner Russell Shepard, LSU again put 7 more on the board. In the second quarter is when things got goofy. UNC kicked off to Patrick Peterson and he scored a touchdown. Later, they punted to Peterson and he scored a touchdown. And the route was on. Only problem? It was just half time. LSU 30, UNC 20.
In the third quarter, LSU tried to run the ball and had to endure a wide array of mishaps by "much improved" Jordan Jefferson. In the meanwhile, UNC stopped punting to Peterson and their defense woke up.
In the 4th quarter, T.J. Yates flung a 97 yard pass to Jheranie Boyd, the longest play in Carolina history. The awesomeness of it all woke up the Tar Heels offensive because on the very next possession, Yates threw a 14-yard touchdown. And that great special teams advantage LSU had? UNC went for and got an onside kick. But it would take one more indignity -- a fumble (a second) by LSU's running back Ridley -- before LSU could escape out of town. Overall, it was a very uneven performance and Miles is fortunate to such a "sloppy" game, as he called it.
Sat, Sep 5 vs McNeese State (CANCELLED)
Yesterday @ Mississippi State W 21 - 19 Final
Sat, Sep 19 vs Auburn W 45 - 21
Sat, Sep 26 @ Syracuse
Sat, Oct 3 vs Eastern Michigan
Sat, Oct 10 @ South Carolina
Sat, Oct 17 vs Florida
Sat, Oct 24 vs Western Kentucky
Sat, Nov 7 @ Alabama
Sat, Nov 14 vs Arkansas
Sat, Nov 21 @ Ole Miss
Sat, Nov 28 vs Texas A&M
