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30
Jan
2012
Giants LB Mark Herzlich is the feel-good story of Super Bowl XLVI (VIDEO)
(Photo: NFLMocks.com)
Giants rookie linebacker Mark Herzlich has already defied the odds.
Two years ago, as an All-American at Boston College, Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma – a rare form of bone cancer – and was told by doctors that he might not ever walk again, let alone play football. Well, after beating the cancer, returning to play his senior season and making it to the NFL as an undrafted free agent with New York, Herzlich continues to prove the doubters wrong. He played in eleven regular season games this year for the Giants, starting two (including a week 11 showdown against the Eagles), and making an immediate contribution on special teams.
But Herzlich’s tweet from today really put things into perspective as to just how far he’s come in so short a period of time:
(via LarryBrownSports)
Even though he hasn’t played since week 12 due to an ankle injury and illness, Herzlich hopes to take the field for the Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday to complete his utter & total domination of cancer. And regardless, if you’re not inspired by Herzlich’s journey thus far, you may have no soul.
Back in September, NFL Network had Steve Mariucci sit down with Herzlich for this excellent in-depth interview:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
8
Dec
2011
Dominic Raiola thinks it’s time for the Lions to “grow the f@#K up” (AUDIO)
(AP Photo via MLive.com)
This season, the Detroit Lions have been working hard to change their image from perennial NFC North doormat to the new bad boys of the league. And along the way, part of this new image has included getting busted for dirty play and – as exemplified by Ndamukong Suh – committing all sorts of foolish personal fouls that ultimately hurt the team.
Well, following their week 13 loss at the hands of the Saints, in which Detroit committed 11 penalties for 107 yards, including several critical unsportsmanlike conduct calls, Lions’ veteran center Dominic Raiola had finally seen enough. Check out this profanity-laced, post-game diatribe from the Lions’ captain, in which he delivers a fairly singular message to his fellow teammates: “Grow the f@#k up!”.
Audio below (Curses are bleeped out, so its relatively SFW):
30
Aug
2011
Coach Payton tells PFT that kickoffs could vanish from football
Sean Payton sees a future where kickoffs might be kicked out. (Cox Sports TV)
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton spoke with ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio on Tuesday about the future of kickoff returns.
Payton understands that fans — and many players — are miffed about kickoffs moving from the 30 to the 35, effectively reducing chances for big kick returns. He also knows that with the information the league had about injuries, kickoffs were a central target for change.
“Then you have to be able to take steps, so that 10 years down the road when someone is asking you, ‘Hey at this time, when you knew it was such a dangerous play and you continued on with the kicks from the 30 — and now you have someone who is seriously injured.’”
Payton acknowledged that kickoffs could eventually vanish from the landscape of football.
“Sitting in on John Madden’s coaches committee, and discussing this topic, this is a tough one, in regards to trying to reduce collision speed. There are a number of things you can do offensively and defensively, but when it comes to kicking that ball and these guys are running down the field (at) a pretty good rate of speed, even if they have a five-yard start as opposed to, last year, the 10-yard start. I wouldn’t be surprised, Mike, if down the road that’s where it was headed. Unless we come up with some good answers. And that’s the trick.”
Payton is clearly not on board with the league removing onside kicks.
PFT did the hard work on this one, so here’s the link to the story.
3
Jun
2011
VIDEO: Tim Tebow finally admits he’s a fake
Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow was on The Daily Show last night to promote his new book, “Through My Eyes”, where Jon Stewart was finally able to get football’s golden boy to admit that most of his image is “fake” (around the 2:10 mark). It was a revelation that so many underachievers and screw-ups across this fair nation have been waiting for, since Tebow’s too-good-to-be-true persona is, like, a real bummer to try to live up to, man.
Obviously, Tebow was kidding, and throughout the interview he once again comes off as an impossibly nice and genuine guy, riffing with Stewart about everything from the lockout to compensation for college athletes.
And although it may seem a bit narcissistic for a 23-year-old to be writing a memoir, Tebow clearly has a unique perspective to share … and it’s not like he’s got much else to do during the lockout, right?
30
Nov
2010
The Los Angeles Vikings?
Staubach, Landry and the 'Boys faced the Vikings outdoors in frigid Metropolitan Stadium. Could an outdoor venue be next for the Vikes? And, if so, will it be in Minnesota? (Source: knowyourdallascowboys.com)
With the Minnesota Vikings’ Metrodome lease ending after the 2011 season, ownership is sorting through a laundry list of potential suitors. The team could stay put at the Metrodome — or they could break ground on a brand new Minneapolis-area stadium. Those options rest on the stable end of the spectrum. The remaining possibilities are unsettling.
It’s enough to give Vikings fans pause, and history would suggest reason for concern, as stadium issues have historically been central to franchise relocation. Any discussion along those lines is speculation at this stage, and the Vikings appear committed to Minnesota, but Tuesday’s partial transcript includes the revelation that a Los Angeles-based group has approached Vikings ownership.
Sections of the transcript are below — and the Los Angeles issue is brought up after the jump.
Q: How did the recent election results affect the Vikings stadium effort?
Lester Bagley: This is a good question to start. The 2011 Legislative Session is a critical session for the Vikings, the NFL and our fans. Leadership of the new house and senate majorities as well as the new Governor have indicated that this issue needs to be addressed and will be on the agenda.
24
Nov
2010
Justin Bieber: “Seriously, bro, what’s up with Brady’s hair? I own this look.”
OK, this is from a few weeks back… but Kenny Mayne‘s penetrating investigation into Tom Brady‘s flowing locks remains relevant until the Pats QB cuts those Bieber-like locks.
9
Sep
2010
ARTIE and THEDARKHORSE discuss 2010 (Part One)
One more time, with feeling: Brett Favre and his Vikings are determined to get back to the NFC Championship. Their journey begins tonight. (Source: NewsOne)
THEDARKHORSE: Artie, we’re finally here. Standing at the doorway, with the 2010 NFL season spread before us in all its splendor. Today, every team has a certain amount of hope. If you’re the New Orleans Saints, you’re sure you can get back to the big game. If you’re the Detroit Lions, you’re sure this season brings proof of growth. If you’re the Minnesota Vikings, nothing less than the Super Bowl is acceptable. That’s fine, except that 15 NFC clubs will ultimately look back on this season as a failure. So… which supposed powerhouse falls the farthest this season? (In your world, Artie, which team is this year’s ’87 New York Giants)?
ARTIEFUFKIN: It is a magical time of year, indeed. I literally got giddy this morning thinking about how close we are to the start of the NFL season. And I like that you’re starting off on a negative note here: which playoff team from 2009 will FAIL the worst the year?
To me, the Arizona Cardinals have peaked, and are due for a fall this year. Gone from this year’s team are Kurt Warner, Karlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin and Antrell Rolle … four of the teams best players. They’re in a weak division, and they have the easiest schedule in the NFL this year, but with Derek Anderson taking over the reigns, things could slide quickly for the Cardinals
And everyone is all over the Vikings jock this year, but they could be in for a rude awakening if old man Farve doesn’t put on a repeat performance of last season, which is going to be difficult to do, especially with that lingering ankle injury. Sidney Rice is injured and Percy Harvin suffers from migraines, and it seems like defenses are finally starting to catch up to Adrian Peterson. To me, the Packers are the team to beat in the NFC, and the rest of the NFC north is getting better … it just feels like a recipe for potential disaster in Minnesota.
TDH, there seems to be an unusually large crop of rookie RBs who will be carrying a large part of the load for their team this year. Guys like Ryan Matthews and Javid Best are two guys who are already being hyped up, but which rookie (not necessarily RB) do you think will make this most impact this season.
THEDARKHORSE: In terms of RB, you’ve named two leading contenders in Jahvid Best and Ryan Mathews. I think they’ll thrive not only because they appear NFL-ready, but because they’ll be given a full chance to operate and produce on offense. Mathews, especially, is being thrust into a starting role occupied for the better part of a decade by LaDanian Tomlinson. Big shoes to fill, yet he’s stepping in at a good time — it appears nobody in San Diego is too distraught to be without LT. These guys aside, I believe C.J. Spiller is the one we’ll be talking about all season long. He’s dangerous from all points on the field and has incredible speed. The guy scores from long distance, and should remind you of a few whip-fast runners from our childhood: Dave Meggett and Eric (“Stop Calling Me Terry”) Metcalf. The Bills don’t have much on offense, and if defenses focuses on Spiller exclusively, he might not get the yardage Mathews will, but I think he’ll be twice as exciting.
Artie, do we have a surprise team in the NFL — do we have a 1999 St. Louis Rams this time around. And, for the record, let’s not call the Miami Dolphins a surprise team. More along the lines of a 4-12 club that completely stuns the league.
ARTIEFUFKIN: Well, I don’t necessarily see anyone coming out of nowhere and winning the Super Bowl, but I do think this might finally be the year that the Detroit Lions turn things around, and get their first .500 record since 1999. You saw glimpses last year that this group of players could pull together, and now that Matt Millen is no longer hanging around like a black cloud of sadness, you just get the feeling these guys are on the right track. They’ve got another year of seasoning under Matt Stafford & Calvin Johnson, and have added rookies like Ndomukong Suh & Jahvid Best, who should both make a big impact right away. Add veterans like Kyle Vanden Bosch, Nate Burleson, Rob Sims and Tony Scheffler to the mix, and you’ve got the building blocks for the future in place. GM Martin Mayhew and Head Coach Jim Schwartz genuinely seem to have a plan in place, and there is finally reason for hope in Detroit.
Click below to read more.
28
Aug
2009
Big Fan writer/director Robert Siegel: the readandreact interview
Patton Oswalt and Kevin Corrigan star in Big Fan
Big Fan opens in select theaters nationwide today (Aug 28th), after premiering to rave reviews at Sundance earlier this year. It tells the tale of Paul Alfiero – a 35-year-old parking garage attendant from Staten Island who describes himself as the “world’s biggest Giants fan”. One day, Paul finds himself face-to-face with his favorite player, and things don’t go quite as planned, leading Paul to question everything he holds dear. (ed. note – our excitement for this film is already well-documented. Watch the trailer here)
Writer/Director Robert Siegel first made his mark on pop culture as editor-in-chief of the satirical publication The Onion, but really burst into public consciousness in 2008 with his screenplay for acclaimed film The Wrestler. Clearly this guy is on a roll, and he makes his directorial debut with Big Fan, which he also wrote the script for.
For some inexplicable reason that we choose not to question, Rob was kind enough to take the time to answer a few of readandreact’s questions about football, film and this wacky world we live in.
As such, we are thrilled to present you with Robert Siegel: The readandreact interview:
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Robert Siegel: life long Steelers fan
Q: The trailer shows evidence of time spent in the parking lot at the Meadowglands. Being from Long Island, are you yourself a Giants fan? Have you personally attended many games there?
RS: I’m not a Giants fan. I’m a diehard, lifelong Steelers fan. Back in the late ’70s when I came of football age, none of my friends were into the Giants or Jets. Everybody liked either the Steelers or the Cowboys, and for me it stuck. But I’ve definitely spent my fair share of time out at the Meadowlands, I’ve got a lot of friends with Giants season tickets, and I usually go to one or two games a year. Unfortunately, though, they usually invite me to that crappy Week 15 game against the Texans when the Giants have locked up a playoff berth and Eli’s not starting. That tends to be the one where an extra ticket magically opens up.
Q: With Plaxico Burress heading to prison, Michael Vick returning to the game just months after getting out of Leavenworth, and Donte Stallworth suspended after DUI manslaughter, your film is incredibly relevant to today’s sports landscape. How much of this story was pulled from the headlines?
RS: There definitely seems to be a lot of that stuff going on right now. But in reality, it’s always been happening. Ten years ago, you would’ve been asking me if this movie was based on Rae Carruth or Ron Artest. If it seems like today there’s more bad stuff going on, I think it’s just because the media scrutiny has intensified. More people are getting busted, and when they do, more attention is being paid to it. But I don’t think there ever was a time when athletes were model citizens. You think Mickey Mantle never drove drunk?
Q: You raise some vital questions about priorities in our society today, and what people are willing to forgive in the name of athletic talent … do you think our values are a bit out of whack?
RS: Singers, actors… It’s the same with all celebrities, not just athletes. They’re our heroes, and as a result, we give them a free pass. Or at least try to look the other way. I’m not really sure why, I guess it’s just human nature.
Q: What do you hope people take away from watching Big Fan?
RS: Mainly, I just want them to enjoy it. I’m not looking to take anybody down. Despite what I’ve said here, it’s not like I’ve got some agenda, some axe to grind against pro football. I’m a fan. I love football. But you can love something and still be aware that it’s flawed.
6
Apr
2009
Cleveland Rising
This week, READANDREACT spoke with web-journalist Barry McBride, the undisputed figurehead of THE ORANGE AND BROWN REPORT (www.theobr.com), a site dedicated to the Cleveland Browns and their diehard fans. His site, launched with sheer grit and determination in the 1990s as a way to galvanize the city and help engineer the return of the Browns to Cleveland, has transformed into today’s top-flight source of news, rumors, and coverage of the Browns… ANYWHERE. Barry, always humble, gives us his thoughts about Brady Quinn, Braylon Edwards, Eric Mangini, and the team’s glorious (and inglorious) past, as well as their chances of ever getting back to the playoffs (and maybe the Super Bowl?) before we leave this mortal coil.
Barry, thank you for being with us. These days, most people take a site like www.theobr.com for granted. But the site well-represents a shift in sports journalism. Your site’s stories have been lifted by the mainstream media. Did you ever think that might be the case when you started this whole thing?
It’s been an amazing journey, and proof that a website or any other media outlet will be just as good as the people writing for it. We’ve been particularly blessed there.
Back in the 90s, I certainly never thought we’d be at the point where we were battling toe-to-toe with some of the major players in this town for stories and opportunity. The website was started for fun, a sense of adventure, and the vague notion that appreciative readers would buy us beer. We didn’t have any big plan to replace any of Cleveland’s major media players.
In terms of how we’ve been treated by the mainstream media, it’s been a mixed bag. Like any group of people, you’ll have folks with great integrity and folks who lack any at all. You try to learn from the former and ignore the latter, although it can be frustrating or depressing at times.
The Browns have been through 20 years of turbulence. On bad days, the team feels like a franchise slowly rotting from the core out. Is Coach Mangini the one to turn things around? Does he get how much this could mean to the city and the league?
Mangini seems to understand how important this franchise is to Cleveland, and Randy Lerner certainly does. The team’s owner desperately wants the town to be proud of the team again.
The question with both isn’t whether or not they understand how important this is, but rather if they’re capable of making the right detailed decisions to get things back on track.
Mangini, for example, borrows his style from his mentors Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. The OBR’s Steve King did a neat article not too long ago, which compared Mangini’s arrival in Cleveland to that of Bill Belichick in the early 90s. (The article can be found here: http://cle.scout.com/2/847469.html) The parallels are eerie. But under their surface similarities, will Mangini make the right personnel decisions like Bill Parcells? Is he capable of developing a game plan as effectively as Belichick? On both questions, the results in New York were mixed and the jury remains out. If Mangini builds a winner here, he’s redeemed in the eyes of the NFL. If he doesn’t, Browns fans will suffer through another re-boot in three or four years time.
Along those lines, we’ve seen Winslow shipped south for picks… we’ve heard whispers that Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, and Braylon Edwards are all available for the right price. Is Mangini confident enough to start from scratch? And, if the team parts ways with its “stars,” would this roster reset be a surprise to Lerner?
We met and talked with Randy Lerner earlier this off-season, and the Browns owner is convinced that the most important decision he can make is to get the right coach. He believes that Bill Belichick was the key to the Patriots turnaround, and that Chuck Noll took the Steelers from perennial losers to one of the league’s top franchises. His instinct tells him he made the right choice in Mangini, and he’s going to let his coach do things how he feels they need to be done.
Mangenius has arrived.
