Commentary /By Larry Felser
Edwards, Schonert shined credentials against Steelers
It’s one of those opinionated Sundays. Not only was Trent Edwards further certified as the Bills’ starting quarterback by his Thursday performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the certification of Turk Schonert as an offensive coordinator officially has begun.
Edwards is never going to be ranked with the cannon arms of the NFL, but he demonstrated once again that his blending of quick decision making and quick release of the football produces the required results. Thursday’s case in point was the 90-yard touchdown drive against Pittsburgh’s formidable defense.
Schonert’s play-calling was impressive. It was a reminder that he played for years when quarterbacks called the bulk of their own plays. It’s difficult to understand why he had to wait for 12 years as an NFL quarterbacks coach before he got his chance as a coordinator.
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Considering the emergency shifting in the Buffalo offensive line, the right side of the pass protection did a yeoman’s job keeping blitzing linebacker LaMarr Woodley, the talk of the Steelers’ training camp, out of the picture. Edwards’ quick release also had something to do with that.
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In the Jets’ camp, itinerant quarterback Brett Favre is complaining about “fatigue” in his passing arm. Imagine that, even all-time greats eventually come face-to-face with reality. All quarterbacks approaching 40 have a hidden expiration date in their bodies.
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As the final month of the baseball season keeps getting closer, the Yankees keep looking more and more like an also-ran while their former manager, Joe Torre, is looking happier by the day as his Dodgers make a late surge for the National League West title. Of course, Torre owes no small thanks to the team’s acquisition of Manny Ramirez. Manny may be an eventual pain to Torre, but there is no denying that he is one of the game’s great hitters.
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How could anyone be shocked at John McEnroe being McEnroe when he found fault with a linesman’s call at a tournament for middleagers? McEnroe will still be a brat when he’s playing in 75-and-older tournaments.
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With all due respect to Michael Phelps, one of the all-time great Olympians, I’m not sure he should be ranked above Mark Spitz. Remember that Phelps is setting records with the aid of Speedo’s revolutionary body suit and the re-engineering of Olympic pools that produce ideal circumstances for today’s swimmers.
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It should be no surprise that Roger Federer was upset early in Olympic tennis. I imagine he’s still vibrating from losing his match with Rafael Nadal for the Wimbledon championship, one of tennis’ most nerve-racking of all time.
Former Buffalo News Sports Editor Larry Felser appears in Sunday’s editions.
