29
Jan
2012
Oh yeah, the Pro Bowl is today (LINKS)
Cam Rodgers (Photo: Dan Hicks via Twitter)
In case it slipped your mind (it almost did ours), the NFL’s finest players – minus the Giants and Patriots, of course – have gathered in Honolulu for a week of golf, beach time, goofing off and some half-assed preparation for the 2102 edition of the Pro Bowl.
Everyone knows the Pro Bowl is a joke as far as professional sports all-stars games go, since nobody – including the players – cares about the outcome, and therefore nobody really tries. And ever since they got rid of the NFL Skills Challenge in 2007, there’s even less of a reason for fans to tune into the week-long all-star festivities. I mean, has anyone ever gotten a decent explanation for why they stopped doing skills competitions? Instead of a half-speed football exhibition, wouldn’t it be far more compelling to watch these all-stars compete for the title of NFL’s fastest man, strongest leg, best hands, biggest arm, etc? Does anyone genuinely think there’s any more risk of injury here than with the game itself? Hell, I even tuned into the NHL’s All-Star skills competition yesterday just to check it out, and I don’t watch hockey at all.
But I digress. If you’re so inclined, the game itself starts at 7pm ET tonight, and you can watch all the non-action live online.
In the mean time, here are a few Pro Bowl links that caught our eye this week:
- Our banner pic (above) is Aaron Rodgers rocking his Cam Newton look earlier this week in Hawaii, from NBC’s Dan Hicks’ Twitter. Oh, and these are the shoes Cam is rocking this week
- The Jared Allen Experience gives you some insight into a Pro Bowl practice through the eyes of one of our favorite NFLers. Allen was not only mic’d up, but wearing a helmet cam for the day, and has plenty of fun with his fellow NFC elite while making sure not to work too hard. Best moments: Allen imitating the “Wide Nine” stance of Eagles DE Jason Babin, and jokingly asking Clay Matthews “How’d that Super Bowl run work out for you?” Matthews reply: “Shut up.”
- Nike released their brand new Vapor Jet gloves just in time for the Pro Bowl, and also in time to leak the Panthers new logo
- In an effort to increase the social profile for the game (and in stark contrast to their regular season policy), the NFL will allow players to use Twitter during the Pro Bowl game … but only from computers located in designated areas on each team’s sideline.
- Speaking of the NFL Skills Challenge, here are Ben Roethlisberger (2005) and Ken O’Brien (1991) competing in the QB Challenge from back in the day. This wasn’t actually a Pro Bowl week event, but was cancelled at the same time as the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge in a sweeping ban of all skills-based competitions by the league back in November of 2007. Yeah … after watching those, I guess it wasn’t that exciting after all. Even with the dramatic music.
- And last but not least, here is the biggest hit in the history of the Pro Bowl: Washington’s Sean Taylor destroying punter Brian Moorman on a fake punt:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
16
Jan
2012
Giants stun Packers to advance to NFC Championship (as told through PICS & GIFS)
Manning took the belt from Rodgers on Sunday! (Photo via tinypic.com)
In Sunday’s big matchup, the New York Giants soundly defeated the defending champion Packers 37-20 in Green Bay yesterday, and will head to San Francisco on Sunday for a re-match of their week 10 loss … not to mention the fabled 2002 wild card comeback and 1990 NFC Championship game.
With the win, Eli Manning may have finally cemented himself as an “elite” quarterback (whatever that means), improving to 6-3 all-time in the post-season after throwing for 330 yards and 3 TDs and outperforming his more-heralded counterpart, Aaron Rodgers (264 yards, 2 TDs). Giants WR Hakeem Nicks was once again the best receiver on the field, pulling in 7 catches for 165 yards and two TDs. The Giants defense once again came to play, harassing Rodgers for four sacks and causing three turnovers and ending the Packers 15-1 season unceremoniously.
And now, here’s your game recap in photos and GIFs (CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE):
Win or lose, this guy's Lambeau field hat is amazing (Photo via Reddit.com/r/nfl)
Nicks struck the first big blow for NY with a 66-yard score in the 1st quarter (photo: Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger)
In the second quarter, it looked as though the Giants got hosed by the refs, who somehow ruled Greg Jennings down on a fumble when video evidence clearly showed otherwise :
Hell, even Mike Pereira thought it was a fumble (Image via Sportsgrid.com)
Just before halftime, the Giants went for it all with a 37-yard hail mary to Hakeem Nicks
28
Apr
2011
Peyton Hillis wins cover of Madden ’12
(Image via waitingfornextyear.com)
In what amounts to a total shocker, Cleveland Browns RB Peyton Hillis was chosen to grace the cover Madden ’12. This year, the cover boy of the popular EA Sports’ video game franchise was put up to a fan vote, with 32 players (one from each team) entered into a March madness-style tournament, with fans deciding who would advance. And after five weeks and 13 million votes, the undrafted RB out of Arkansas was crowned the winner.
Hillis, a 10th seed, went through a gauntlet of higher-ranked opponents, defeating Ray Rice, Matt Ryan, Jamaal Charles and #1 seed Aaron Rodgers in a stunner to reach the finals, where he soundly defeated Eagles QB Michael Vick to win the cover with 66% of the final round votes. The victory over Rodgers stunned everyone the most, leading many to speculate that Packers fans rallied to vote against Rodgers in fear of the dreaded “Madden Curse”.
But regardless, Hillis – who burst onto the NFL scene last season with over 1,600 total yards and 13 TDs – clearly had his own viral support team of Browns fans, and is eager to disprove the existence of the curse:
“For people to believe in this so-called curse, I can’t wait to prove people wrong,” he said. “From what I believe and where I am in my spiritual life, it would be good to prove them wrong in that sense.”
You’ve gotta know that the folks at EA sports had something else in mind when they started this tournament. But Hillis is pretty much a prototypical “Madden Guy”, so he actually fits the brand perfectly. And at this point, Browns fans will take anything that could even be considered a positive sign for their franchise, and Hillis is the best thing they’ve got going right now.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE MADDEN ’12 COVER ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THE JUMP
7
Feb
2011
Monday Morning Super Bowl XLV round-up: Packers outlast Steelers to re-claim Lombardi Trophy
This year's trophy also came with a championship belt (Photo: Getty Images via ChicagoBreakingSports)
The Green Bay Packers are bringing the Lombardi trophy back to Titletown.
As the whole world watched, the Packers hung on to defeat Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV, with Aaron Rodgers throwing 3 TDs and taking home the MVP trophy. Green Bay jumped out to an early 21-3 lead, and for a minute it looked like we might be headed for a blowout. But the Steelers were able to turn the momentum and mount a comeback in the second half to cut the lead to within a score. But down by 6 points with just under 2 minutes to go, Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t able to summon the last-minute heroics needed for a game-winning drive, and the Packers held on for the victory. In the end, the difference in the game came down to turnovers. Pittsburgh committed three turnovers, and Green Bay committed none. Plus, the Packers were able to capitalize on all three of the Steelers turnovers with touchdowns. It’s pretty simple, really: when you spot a team 21 points in the Super Bowl, it’s difficult to win.
Rather than re-hash every angle you’ve probably heard overanalyzed a dozen times by now, we’ll just provide a few links to some of the more interesting side notes to this year’s big game:
- Yes, Christina Aguilera screwed up the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner. Deport her immediately.
- After all of his ploys to add extra attendees for the game (including selling tickets for standing room only party plazas outside the stadium) Jerry Jones missed setting the Super Bowl attendance record by 766
- And thanks to that attempt by Jerrah, 400 ticket buyers, who each paid $800 for newly constructed seats at Cowboys Stadium, were forced to watch the game on TVs in the stadium after the fire marshal deemed their seats unsafe. But the league is hooking each of the displaced fans up with $2,400 cash, NFL merch, tix to SB 46 … oh, and they got to go on the field during the post-game celebration last night.
- Only one record was set during SB XLV: fewest combined rushing attempts by both teams, with 36 (Packers 13, Steelers 23)
- Injured Packer CB Charles Woodson apparently gave an emotional, “Gipper-esque” halftime speech to his teammates, which helped fire them up to take home the championship.
24
Jan
2011
Charles Woodson and the Packers are coming to see President Obama (VIDEO)
BJ Raji does the getdown after scoring on an interception return in the NFC Championship (Photo: JSOnline.com)
Lost in all the back and forth over whether Jay Cutler is or is not a wuss seems to be the fact that the Green Bay Packers soundly defeated their third consecutive road playoff opponent, and are headed to Dallas for Super Bowl XLV. As the number six seed in the NFC, the Packers have gone into hostile territory and beaten the Eagles, Falcons and Bears in consecutive weeks, and done so in impressive fashion. Quite simply, Mike McCarthy’s team is playing the best football in the league right now … and with or without Cutler, the Packers were going to win that game.
While Aaron Rodgers may get all the (well-deserved) love from the media, perhaps the biggest factor in the Packers’ success has been the play of their defense. Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers’ group allowed only 15 points per game in the regular season, and have been able to recover from some key injuries along with way. Led by shutdown corner Charles Woodson, agile big man BJ Raji and All-Pro LB Clay Matthews, Green Bay has effectively contained some of the game’s most dangerous offenses this post-season. So if you’re a believer that defense wins championships (and I am), take note that the Packers D is dominating games and peaking at the right time.
After the victory, Woodson addressed his teammates and took the opportunity to address President Obama, who had said he would attend the Super Bowl if his hometown Chicago Bears won on Sunday. To which Woodson replied that the Packers will instead come to see Obama … when they visit the White House as Super Bowl champions:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
10
Jan
2011
Is Aaron Rodgers the love child of BJ Novak and Ellen DeGeneres?
This one comes to us from Reddit/r/nfl user yeahtoast, and it was just too good not to pass along. BJ Novak from “The Office” + comedienne Ellen Degeneres = Packers QB Aaron Rodgers:
(Image via Reddit)
Too perfect. (click image for larger version)
5
Jan
2011
VIDEO: Packers fan executes difficult reverse Lambeau Leap
This comes to us from Sunday’s Packers-Bears game, where Green Bay clinched a playoff berth with their 10-3 win over division rival Chicago. Afterward, QB Aaron Rodgers decided to celebrate with fans by lapping the stadium and giving everyone a high five … and as you’ll see, one over-eager Cheesehead let his enthusiasm get the best of him:
Yikes. The best is how Rodgers thinks about helping the guy up for a second but then just keeps going. Good looking out, Aaron.
26
Dec
2010
Giants fall apart with SIX turnovers in Green Bay
Yes Eli, something does stink ... hint, it's you (Photo: NJ.com)
Well, I guess we know how last week’s loss to the Eagles – now being referred to as “The Crumble” – affected the New York Giants. With a chance to clinch a wild card spot in the NFC, Tom Coughlin’s club unraveled today in Green Bay, committing SIX turnovers (2 fumbles, 4 INTs) en route to a 45-15 beating at the hands of the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers was the star of the day with a season-high 404 yards and 4 TDs, as the Packers QB found receivers running free in the Giants defensive secondary all day long. Once praised as one of the best coordinators in the league, Perry Fewell‘s defense has been exposed in the past few weeks. And today New York followed up last week’s collapse by allowing over 500 yards to an opposing offense for the first time in 30 years. There was almost no pressure on from the vaunted Giants defensive front, and with time to find his receivers, Rodgers made it look easy out there. It really felt like Green Bay could move the ball down the field and score at will.
But for New York, the story of the game was the turnovers. Led by Eli Manning’s four interceptions, the Giants seemed to shoot themselves in the foot every chance they got. Both Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw chipped in with a fumble a piece, but Manning set the tone with a bad interception in the first quarter that helped Green Bay jump out to an early 14-0 lead. From there, it was a comedy of errors for the Giants, who essentially crapped the bed with their playoff destiny in their own hands.
Despite all this, the 9-6 Giants still have a chance to make the post-season (with a lot of help from other teams) … but let’s face it, this team is dead in the water. For the second year in a row, Tom Coughlin’s team got off to a great start in the first half of the season and fell apart when it mattered most. Meanwhile, with the victory, the Packers (also 9-6) can clinch a wild card berth with a win at home against NFC North champion Chicago next week.
23
Dec
2010
Why their brutal loss to the Eagles could help the Giants for the playoff run
Another entry for the Manning face Hall of Fame (Photo: The Star-Ledger)
(Editor’s Note: This article was prompted by a bet between myself and TheDarkHorse, wherein the loser would have to write an article extolling the virtues of the winner of this game. I’m a lifelong Giants fan, and based on the terms of the bet, this column is supposed to “describe the overconfidence of NY fans, and the reality that Big Blue will not be alive a month from now.” However, based on the excruciatingly soul-crushing way the Giants lost this game, I’m calling an audible and writing what I really think. Sorry TDH …)
Since the Giants’ historic meltdown against the Eagles last Sunday, a gloom & doom mentality has overtaken the New York fan base. And rightly so … as far as regular season losses go, that one was about as bad as they come. It’s the type of loss that could cripple a team emotionally, and take their heart completely out for the rest of the season. But as bad as it was, as I was wallowing in the post-game crapulence, I couldn’t help but notice that it just didn’t hurt as badly as the aftermath of some of the Giants other more memorable collapses. And the reason for that is simple: at 9-5, they’re still in excellent position to make the playoffs. So the players & coaches don’t have time to sit around and reflect on everything that went wrong in those final 7-1/2 minutes of that one game. They have to quickly shake it off and focus on their next opponent, the Green Bay Packers.
For Tom Coughlin’s club it’s this simple: win Sunday at Green Bay and they’re in. But the Packers also need this win to stay in the playoff hunt, so you know they’re going to come out fighting on their home turf. And quarterback Aaron Rodgers – who missed last week’s game with a concussion – was cleared by team doctors to play on Sunday, so the GB offense should be in full force. So while it would be easy for the Giants to dwell on the “Miracle in the New Meadowlands” and get demoralized about life in general, they’re going to have to find a way to harness the emotion from that loss and channel it onto the playing field.
And according to some players, the Giants seem to be doing just that, and have been noticeably energized this week in practice:
“I think, as hard as it is to believe, guys actually managed to move on,” Cofield said. “We realize, if we win, we’re in. You can clinch second-to-last game of the season, that’s big.
A big game, a big opponent and a lot riding it, so I think it makes it easier to move on.”
For New York players and fans, using a tough loss to spark a playoff run is nothing new. Eli Manning, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora (among others) were part of the 2007 Super Bowl club that finished 10-6 and stumbled into the playoffs with a week 15 home loss to the Redskins, and the now-infamous week 17 loss to the Patriots. But through those games the Giants gained the confidence that they could play with the best in the league, and used that final loss as a rallying point for their championship run. And there’s no question after watching this Giants team dominate the Eagles for 3-1/2 quarters, that they have the talent on both sides of the ball to play with anyone in the NFL. It’s just a question of putting it together for 60 full minutes, and catching a few breaks along the way.
5
Dec
2010
VIDEO: Donald Driver makes 49ers defense look silly
Dashon Goldson and the 49ers D aren't going to enjoy film sessions this week (AP Photo via Yahoo.com)
This 61-yard catch-and-run by WR Donald Driver really tells you all you need to know about today’s Packers-49ers game. Aaron Rodgers threw for 298 yards and 3 scores, including 2 to Greg Jennings, en route to a 34-16 Packer win this afternoon in Green Bay. But it was this touchdown by Driver that really broke the game open for the Packers in the 2nd half:
After catching the pass from Rodgers inside the San Francisco 40-yard line, Driver breaks about a hundred tackles en route to the endzone while 49er defenders flail wildly around him. OK, so it was closer to five tackles, but Driver was able to gain 25+ yards after initial contact, and the 49ers’ spirit was clearly broken on the play.
The Packers improve to 8-4 and look poised for a strong run at the post-season while San Francisco falls to 4-8 at the opposite end of the spectrum in almost every way. And one can only imagine the kind of post-game speech Mike Singletary gave to his team after this one.
