Most teams in the NFL are a quarter of the way through their season (four games). Now, I know it might be a little early to start talking about busts and disappointments, but it might be interesting to look at a few players and teams who have not lived up to expectations.
No position is more susceptible to hype and the resulting disappointment than quarterback. They feel the pressure like no one else and they garner the fame and shoulder the blame more than is probably warranted. Such is life in the NFL. I know a lot can change in the next 12 games, but the 2006 season has already produced some rather big disappointments. Below, I discuss three quarterbacks who have disappointed fans so far and have dug a hole for their respective teams.
Daunte Culpepper and the Miami Dolphins
Maybe this is colored by the fact that I own Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers in my fantasy football league, but I think it is safe to say that Culpepper and the 'Fins have not lived up to expectations. The Dolphins were supposed to contend for the division title after a strong finish in 2005. With the Patriots getting older, and seemingly without the necessary talent at wide receiver, Miami was primed to make a run in the AFC East.
The season so far hasn't exactly played out that way:
* Despite leading in the third quarter, the Dolphins lost their opening game 28-17 to a Charlie Batch led Pittsburgh Steelers. Culpepper threw for 262 yards, but had two key interceptions, one that was run back for a score, and no touchdowns.
* The next week in a loss to Buffalo, he again reached 250 yards, but had again an interception, was sacked seven times, and only managed to score a touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the game.
* Against what can only be described as a pathetic Tennessee team, Culpepper was worse: 168 yards, five sacks, and no TDs. The only consolation was he didn't throw an interception and they won the game, 13-10.
* As if struggling against the Titans wasn't bad enough, last week the Dolphins managed to lose to the lowly Houston Texans! Following in his typical pattern, Culpepper had 249 yards, was sacked five times, and threw his first TD pass with less than two minutes to go.
Clearly, Culpepper is not the same mobile QB he was when he had so much success in Minnesota. He seems the same error-prone and erratic gunslinger he was last year before he got hurt. The Miami offensive line can't seem to protect him and teams are loading up against the run and coming after Culpepper. In the loss to Houston, Chambers had one catch for 14 yards. Granted, it was a touchdown, but that is simply not enough touches for a receiver of Chambers' talents.
Having lost to Buffalo already, the 'Fins now face two divisional games on the road. A loss Sunday against the Patriots would put them in a deep hole. Miami proved last year they can turn things around — winning their last six games — but if they want to make the playoffs, Culpepper is going to have to improve significantly and fast. I am not holding my breath.
Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals
Here is another team and QB that had high expectations coming into the season. There were a number of prognosticators who felt the Cards were on their way up this year and were a sleeper to make the playoffs. With a fearsome receiving core in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, and the addition of Edgerrin James at running back, big things were expected of the Arizona offense. Add in a brand new stadium and the drafting of Matt Leinart and things were finally looking up in the desert.
After a shootout win against San Francisco in the opening game, things seemed to be going according to plan. Warner had 300 yards passing, three touchdowns, and no picks. James rushed for 73 and a score. But realistically, the Cards had to scrape to beat one of the worst teams in the league — not usually a good sign.
True to form, things went down hill fast.
* The next week the Cards didn't score until the fourth quarter in a 21-10 loss to the Seahawks. Warner had 231 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Neither Boldin or Fitzgerald found the endzone and James had 64 yards rushing.
* Warner's downward spiral escalated against the Rams as he threw three picks and fumbled the ball on the St. Louis 18-yard line — costing his team a chance to win the game. Ironically, Rams QB Marc Bulger had fumbled to give Arizona the ball and a chance to win. Who greased the ball in that game?
* Warner gave up his starting spot after another horrendous outing the next week against the Falcons: two fumbles, an interception, and a mere 128 yards passing. Coach Denny Green had seen enough and benched Warner with 13 minutes remaining. Leinart didn't fare much better with a fumble and an interception in little over a dozen pass attempts.
So here we have a team with an amazing array of talent and yet hasn't scored more than 14 points in the last three games. Let me go out on a limb here and guess that maybe an effective offensive line is necessary to succeed in the NFL. This crucial fact was often on the lips of those who doubted the rebirth of the Cardinals just because they brought in Edgerrin James.
Fantasy players around the country now lament their drafting of Boldin, Fitzgerald, James and yes even Kurt Warner. It is hard to believe that many saw Warner as a fantasy gem, but it's sadly true. Most rookie QBs would love to have the wideouts Leinart does, but you have to wonder if this is really the best way to groom a franchise quarterback. I am guessing the Cardinals continue to struggle.
Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers
Long-time readers of this site will know that I frequently write about my favorite team, the reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Some may want to call me a "homer" for my team, but I strive to be honest and as objective as I can. I also frequently note my biases. Heck, that is better than ESPN most weeks.
It is in the spirit of this honesty that I have to list the Steelers as a disappointment so far. There is no doubt it is hard to keep the focus and hunger after a Super Bowl winning season, and outside circumstances haven't helped, but a 1-2 start certainly wasn't expected.
It is hard to blame all of the Steelers' trouble on the quarterback. Special teams has been a big weakness for sure. It is also worth noting that Roethlisberger is coming off the offseason of hell. A potentially fatal motorcycle accident and an emergency appendectomy are not ideal experiences for a quarterback heading into the season. Perhaps because of this mind-bogglingly bad offseason, Roethlisberger missed the opening game win against Miami and proceeded to lose the his first two games.
Whatever the reason, he is simply not playing very well:
* In his opening game against Jacksonville Roethlisberger passed for a mere 141 yards, threw two picks, and failed to find the end zone. As a result, the Steelers got shutout by the Jaguars 9-0.
* The following week the Steelers offense got back on track, but Ben threw three interceptions in a heartbreaking loss to division rival Cincinnati. In a game eerily similar to last year's game in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger's turnovers — particularly the early pick in the end zone — were back breakers. Granted, Richard Colclough's late game muffed punt return and the fumble by Veron Haynes were killers, and the dropped passes didn't help, but Roethlisberger failed to make some critical plays when the game was on the line.
It seems obvious that Roethlisberger was rusty after a crazy offseason and little playing time in preseason. Two of his interceptions in the Bengal game seemed to have been cause by both a combination of misreading the secondary and misjudging the swirling wind. His arm strength is clearly not what it was last year.
After only three games, the Steelers are already under the gun because of the tough nature of their division. The division-leading Baltimore Ravens are undefeated with their typically tough defense and a renewed confidence under QB Steve McNair. The Bengals are heading into the bye week smarting from a 38-13 loss to the New England Patriots, but they are still 3-1 and loaded with talent on offense. Thus, Steelers are sharing the basement with the Cleveland Browns.
The good news is the Steelers obviously have the talent to turn things around. Roethlisberger is likely to shake the rust off and running back Willie Parker seems to be back on track behind the veteran offensive line. The defense is tough as always and should get even better when star Troy Polamolu gets back to full health. If Ben can get on the same page with his receivers, and the receivers can manage to hang onto the ball, the Steelers should be able to return to their winning ways. Roethlisberger just needs to remember that he doesn't need to win games single-handedly, but rather manage the game plan.
The Steelers always seem to play better when their back is up against the wall and it all starts Sunday night against San Diego. A win will allow them to build some momentum and regain their confidence. A loss, however, means an awfully big hole in a very competitive division. If a team's fourth game of the season can be considered a "must-win" this would qualify.
With a solid offensive line and good defense, the Steelers are probably better positioned to make the playoffs than the Cardinals or Dolphins, but improved quarterback play will be critical to each team's chances. Warner has already been yanked and one has to wonder how long before Joey Harrington gets a chance to lead the Miami offense. I can't imagine Nick Saban wants to be forced to bench Culpepper, but he also can't afford to let the season slip away.
I also can't imagine Charlie Batch is any threat to unseat Roethlisberger, but if the Steelers are to have any chance to get to the Super Bowl, he will have to cut out the mistakes and turnovers. For all three teams, the next few games could very well determine if these QBs just got off to a rough start or if the entire season is destined to be one of disappointment. Stay tuned.
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