Best Kickoff Weekend Performances, 1933-2010

by Bruce Raffel on Sep 7, 2011 11:15 AM EDT

Baltimore Colts legendary QB Johnny Unitas

The NFL Public Relations machine keeps churning out tons of information and statistics, and sent out the best kickoff weekend performances by quarterbacks, running backs and receivers, since 1933. Of note to Baltimore fans of the Ravens and old Baltimore Colts were one in each category.

Passing:
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore vs. Atlanta (9/17/67) 22-32 for 401 yards, 2-TDs, 1-INT

Rushing:
Norm Bulaich, Baltimore vs. N.Y. Jets (9/19/71) 22 carries, 198 yards (Long: 71t) 1-TD

Receiving:
Anquan Boldin, Arizona vs. Detroit (9/7/03) 10 receptions, 217 yards (Long: 71t) 2-TDs

Notes: Unitas' stats were the 9th most yards passing on opening weekend. Bulaich's were the 8th most yards and Boldin's, while earned as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, was the 2nd most receiving yards and the most since 1962. I specifically remember watching the 1971 Baltimore Colts beat the New York Jets on a grainy black & white television in my dining room during dinner as Bulaich had a career game the season after the Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys 16-13 in Super Bowl V.

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22 for 32 with 400+ yards

Oh YAC where have you gone.

by raven on Sep 7, 2011 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

what the hell, everyone working and at school and stupid stuff like that? my days going pretty good. nice cup of dark foldgers columbian and cocoa puffs. i settled in to watch/listen to Ricky Williams on Dan Patrick (like Howard Stern he surrounds himself with ultra-nerds to improve his own lifelong nerdy profile) but Ricky told one of Dan’s hobbits that the practice schedule had changed and he can’t interview. Bummer. I wanted to get Ricky’s take on the upcoming game.

so, i flipped over to an apologetic Notre Dame coach on ESPN. i guess he got called out for freaking on his receivers and qb (change already for next week). dude, the golden dome is done and has been for a long time…give the kids a break.

why would espn make a special little graphic right after the maryland-miami game showing lebrons disfavor of the new UMD uniforms. he teeted “eeeeeeeeeeeeeeew”. is this guy attention starved or did he accidentally tweet about his 4th quarter playoff performances.

maryland uniforms>lerbrons playoff performances

didn’t get to see strasburgs arm explode again so pretty much burned time on those highlights. heartless orioles burdened with 4 hour rain delay only to get beat again. must of been like waiting on death row in a damp cell for them. by the way malor, i said they would finish 30 out, lee and vlad wouldn’t get 15 homers each, lee would get hurt and weiters couldn’t hit 20. predictable O’s. can’t we just load up on Rob Deer types! we have reynolds already. why are they so loyal to the worlds worst closer- mr. telegraph pitch “what hath god wrought”.

lastly, beck got srewed again. he can never prove he’s the next kurt warner if he’s not on the field.
big redskins mistake and, for the most part, a tragedy for the american sports world.

Raven is a columnist for the Knoitahl Times and can be reached with the reply button.

by raven on Sep 7, 2011 12:51 PM EDT reply actions