Shutdown Corner - NFL

Vince Young(notes), Quarterback, Tennessee Titans. I wouldn't say that Vince Young was the reason that the Titans won yesterday, but Young did everything that could've been asked of him. 15-of-18 for 125 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions? Jeff Fisher will take that every time. Of course, he it helps if you have a running back that goes for 228 yards and two touchdowns (thank you, Chris Johnson), your defense gets two interceptions and you get to play from ahead (something Kerry Collins(notes) rarely got to do). Did VY's presence in the line-up spark this kind of performance from the rest of the team? Things like that have been known to happen.

Greg Mattison, Defensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens played, by far, their best game of 2009 against the Broncos yesterday. They were strong, they were physical, they were tough and they had the right game plan. They decided that they would tee off on the Denver running game and short passes, and if Denver wanted to beat them by going vertical, then hey, have it it, Kyle Orton(notes). He couldn't do it. Denver's biggest play of the day was a 39-yard pass interference call on the Ravens. Outside of that, the Broncos had just one play all day that went for more than 20 yards, and it came in garbage time.

Ted Ginn, Special Teams, Miami Dolphins. Note that it doesn't say, "Ted Ginn, Wide Receiver." Ginn didn't catch a ball (though, it should be noted, neither did his replacement, Brian Hartline(notes)). That didn't stop Ginn from just about singlehandedly winning that game for his team, though. That Miami offense was doing nothing yesterday, Wildcat or no Wildcat. But they got one defensive touchdown, and two special teams touchdowns from Ginn, both of which were "Man, that guy is crazy athletic" moments.

DeAngelo Williams(notes) and Jonathan Stewart(notes), Running Backs, Carolina Panthers. This result -- a 34-21 Panthers win over the Cardinals -- I did not see coming. The Cardinals were on the come, and the Panthers looked to be in trouble ... and then this happens. And the reason that the Cardinals were on the come was their run defense, and the Panthers plowed through them for 270 yards on the ground. They were so effective that Jake Delhomme(notes) only had to throw the ball 14 times, and that fact is not at all coincidental to the fact that the Panthers won.

Shawne Merriman(notes), Linebacker, San Diego Chargers. Shawne Merriman actually affected a game yesterday. His presence was actually noticeable on the field. It started a little bit with the game against the Chiefs last week, and then exploded this week. He had two sacks against the Raiders and wreaked havoc in their backfield all day.

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58 Comments

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  1. Joseph R
    1. Posted by Joseph R Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:17 am EST

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    Vince had a winning record. Period. Check the man's record over 2 seasons of starting as a QB. Jay Cutler can't say he has a winning record. Sure its not all because of Vince, but there aren't many QB's who own a winning record, and that is saying something. He probably won't last as a Titan because they are keen to get rid of him ASAP, but I guarantee some team will sign him after this season when he gets released and he'll be a pretty good QB for someone.
  2. troyboy
    2. Posted by troyboy Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:48 am EST

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    still no love for favre, wow huge shocker there, MJD what happen between you and brett? did you lose like $10,000 on a bet or what?
  3. Johnny Bravo
    3. Posted by Johnny Bravo Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:54 am EST

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    It's about time Ginn earned his #9 overall pick. Very impressive. Keep it up!!! Go Phins!
  4. Mitt Romney
    4. Posted by Mitt Romney Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:58 am EST

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    Proofreading is our friend.
  5. GO MIAMI
    5. Posted by GO MIAMI Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:04 am EST

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    You never know which Ginn will show up for a game. perhaps we should keep on bashing and demoting him....
    That is the ONLY way he makes plays
  6. Hitman
    6. Posted by Hitman Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:05 am EST

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    Shawnee's hairdo is worth at least 2 sacks - and do you really call getting 2 sacks against the Raiders a "presence"?
  7. BELLESTAR64
    7. Posted by BELLESTAR64 Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:11 am EST

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    You people have no right to be so disrespectful...... don't be hate'in
  8. fanofpanic
    8. Posted by fanofpanic Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:17 am EST

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    good column...bad editing...please proofread before posting your blog! Come on...didn't they teach you anything in middle school?
  9. Anton
    9. Posted by Anton Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:31 am EST

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    troyboy - everything cannot be about Favre and given the talent Favre has around him - is it necessary to point him out in every article? No.
  10. synistergates015
    10. Posted by synistergates015 Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:46 am EST

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    I agree with post 9, im a huge viking fan, but that kind of game is just expected from Favre so there is no need to point him out everyweek
  11. Phil M
    11. Posted by Phil M Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:07 am EST

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    I would've went with Chris Johnson over VY, but it doesn't really matter.
    Good list.
  12. FairlyHonestBob
    12. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:17 am EST

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    It looks like the Titan players are trying to send Fisher a message.
  13. brian b
    13. Posted by brian b Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:30 pm EST

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    What, Merriman had 2 sacks against the Raiders. Dude he is a shoe in for the pro bowl.
  14. jsan77
    14. Posted by jsan77 Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:33 pm EST

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    I do not see why you thing Arizona has a GREAT run defense....Just like any pass happy team, New England, Indy, Houston, people believe they can stop the run, when in realty, most teams are playing from behind and are forced to throw. Great job Carolina running it down their throats.......
  15. meinel.kevin@...
    15. Posted by meinel.kevin@... Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:07 pm EST

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    Wait a minute, Chris Johnson runs for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns and somehow that makes Vince Young the MVP?
  16. J B
    16. Posted by J B Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:13 pm EST

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    Shawne Merriman had good games against the Chiefs and Raiders. He is supposed to have good games against the Chiefs and Raiders. I don't see how that should make him one of the 5 best for this week.
  17. konandy66
    17. Posted by konandy66 Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:34 pm EST

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    LMFAO! 1. Posted by Joseph R Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:17 am EST Report Abuse
    Vince had a winning record......
    First off: vince ain't no "man!" Second: Don't even mention his name in the same sentence as Cutler's! Cytler just got to Chicago, and Chicago doesn't have [profane] for a coach! young shouldn't even be playing on a pro team, and, will never amount to squat as a qb!
    That was a jackassed comparison. Oh yeah....... Period!
  18. Brian B
    18. Posted by Brian B Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:34 pm EST

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    Kevin Meinel...Chris Johnson's record 1-6...Vince Youngs 1-0...Johnson would get MVP if he didn't lose 6 times before Young was in the lineup. Great article though, Merriman looked good for a change and Ginn is overrated, but calling an Ohio State alum overrated isn't worth saying anymore
  19. meinel.kevin@...
    19. Posted by meinel.kevin@... Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:51 pm EST

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    Ok Brian, then by your reasoning, Young's record 1-0...Peyton Manning 7-0...Peyton Manning should be MVP, not Young.
  20. iam_focusedman
    20. Posted by iam_focusedman Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:07 pm EST

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    did someone really just compare vince young to jay cutler lmfao .... get outta here with that nonsense!
  21. james d
    21. Posted by james d Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:20 pm EST

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    tell mjd he is not very smart
  22. Joshua C
    22. Posted by Joshua C Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:21 pm EST

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    Lets check Merriman after Giants-Phils-Denver stretch. If he still gets sacks, then he's for real.
  23. JeremyC
    23. Posted by JeremyC Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:26 pm EST

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    Vince Young is now 19-11 as a starter in his career. He may not have the best stats, but he wins. Maybe it's the team rallying around him, maybe it's because they had to shadow him with a linebacker and that opened up the draw play, and maybe it's because his play action fakes yesterday fooled everyone on the field. Whatever it is, he wins, and as a Titans fan, I can tell you 1-6 is a lot better than 0-7. Go Vince!
  24. tweeter100
    24. Posted by tweeter100 Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:43 pm EST

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    I guess all you slugs were so busy salivating over Young that you missed Joseph Addai's pass to Reggie for the Colts' winning TD and that includes our hero MJD!

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