RSSNFL 2009 Week 6 Preview
Joe Flacco
"The growth of most players from year one to year two is phenomenal," says former Dallas Cowboys vice president of player personnel (1960-1989) and NFL.com senior analyst GIL BRANDT.
Oh, what a difference a year makes! Year two in the NFL can provide a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed in this league. The unfamiliarity of teammates coupled with the challenge of learning a complex system is replaced with a new comfort level in season two.
"As a rookie you are wide-eyed and you really don't know what to expect," says NFL Network analyst and eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback DEION SANDERS. "You are pretty much fulfilling your dreams and ambitions and you finally make it there. In year two, you know your teammates and the city that you are participating in. You are more relaxed in your area."
Baltimore Ravens quarterback JOE FLACCO, who is currently tied for fourth in the NFL with nine touchdown passes and ranks sixth in the league with 1,289 passing yards is on pace to surpass his 2008 rookie totals of 2,971 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. Flacco's growth can be attributed to starting 19 games (16 regular-season, three postseason) last season and taking advantage of an entire offseason to digest the Ravens system.
"Year one you come in, you're a young guy, and you try to go out there and play even if you don't know that much," says Flacco, who became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to win two playoff games and lead his team to the AFC Championship Game. "Year two is the time when you get the offseason. You really get that time to go out there and learn as much as you can so you can come in and get ready to play.
"I feel more comfortable in the offense this season. I know more of what to look for in certain situations. I can eliminate things better and can make my reads more quickly."
Matt Ryan
Atlanta Falcons second-year quarterback MATT RYAN, who has a 14-6 (.700) record as a starter and has the Falcons off to a 3-1 start in 2009, certainly agrees with Flacco.
The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008 feels more relaxed in his second season and has taken on more leadership responsibilities as he continues to develop.
"Anytime you've been around a situation, you become more comfortable with your role on the team," says Ryan. "I feel more comfortable than I did last year, but that comes with playing the position. You have to take on some leadership qualities, just as a result of the position you play. I definitely feel more comfortable with it this year, though."
Vikings third-year All-Star running back ADRIAN PETERSON increased his rushing total by 419 yards following his rookie season (1,341 in 2007; 1,760 in 2008). Peterson says the formula to improving in year two involves aiming high.
"You've just got to continue to set your bars higher and higher and higher," says Peterson. "You've always got room to improve."
Giants (5-0) Visit Saints (4-0) in Battle of Unbeatens
NFL 2009 Week 6 Preview
"This is certainly the game of the week," says NFL Network analyst STEVE MARIUCCI of this Sunday's showdown between the 5-0 New York Giants and 4-0 New Orleans Saints.
5 Undefeated Teams: Most Ever through 5 Weeks & Big Games Abound in Week 6
NFL 2009 Week 6 Preview
Five teams – Denver, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New Orleans and the New York Giants – enter Week 6 without a loss, the most undefeated clubs through the first five weeks of a season in NFL history. "This is the first time in my career to be 5-0," says Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE. "I'm very proud of this team. It's important to start fast. But it's not how you start, it's how you finish. It only gets tougher from here on out." And "here on out" starts in Week 6 for four of the five unbeatens.
Picks, Selections & Latest Line
NFL 2009 Week 6
NFL 2009 Week 6 Schedule
(All times local)
Houston at Cincinnati, 1:00 PM
N.Y. Giants at New Orleans, 12:00 PM
Detroit at Green Bay, 12:00 PM
Baltimore at Minnesota, 12:00 PM
Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1:00 PM
Carolina at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM
Kansas City at Washington, 1:00 PM
St. Louis at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Tennessee at New England, 4:15 PM
Arizona at Seattle, 1:05 PM
Philadelphia at Oakland, 1:05 PM
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 4:15 PM
Chicago at Atlanta, 8:20 PM (NBC)
Denver at San Diego, 5:30 PM (ESPN) - MNF
Bye Week: Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami, and San Francisco
NFL 2009 Week 5 Results
(Home Team in CAPS)
Cincinnati 17, BALTIMORE 14
Atlanta 45, SAN FRANCISCO 10
Cleveland 6, BUFFALO 3
ARIZONA 28, Houston 21
CAROLINA 20, Washington 17
DENVER 20, New England 17 (OT)
Pittsburgh 28, DETROIT 20
SEATTLE 41, Jacksonville 0
Dallas 26, KANSAS CITY 20 (OT)
Indianapolis 31, TENNESSEE 9
N.Y. GIANTS 44, Oakland 7
PHILADELPHIA 33, Tampa Bay 14
Minnesota 38, ST. LOUIS 10
MIAMI 31, N.Y. Jets 27
5 Undefeated Teams: Most Ever through 5 Weeks & Big Games Abound in Week 6
NFL 2009 Week 6 Preview
Five teams – Denver, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New Orleans and the New York Giants – enter Week 6 without a loss, the most undefeated clubs through the first five weeks of a season in NFL history. "This is the first time in my career to be 5-0," says Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE. "I'm very proud of this team. It's important to start fast. But it's not how you start, it's how you finish. It only gets tougher from here on out." And "here on out" starts in Week 6 for four of the five unbeatens.
Picks, Selections & Latest Line
NFL 2009 Week 6
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