1
Nov
2011
Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are Even More Impressive Mic’d Up (VIDEO)
(Photo: Yahoo.com)
One of the biggest surprises of the 2012 NFL season thus far has been the emergence of the Cincinnati Bengals, who are off to a 5-2 start and riding a four game win streak, due largely to the play of rookie sensations AJ. Green and Andy Dalton. Together, the wide receiver taken with the #4 overall pick and the second-round quarterback (respectively) are off to the best start of any rookie WR-QB duo in recent memory, giving Bengals fans hope for the future like they haven’t felt in ages.
The New York Times‘ NFL Blog, The Fifth Down, has an excellent piece today on the historical significance of the Dalton-to-Green connection. Not since Jim Plunkett and Randy Vataha connected for 51 passes for 872 yards and 9 touchdowns as Patriots in 1971 have a rookie pair taken the league by storm in this fashion. The closest thing since was the Redskins’ Joe Theismann to Gary Clark (who caught 72 passes for 926 yards and 5 TDs as a rookie in 1985), but it’s become a rarer phenomenon in recent years.
Already through seven games this season, Green has caught 33 passes for 516 yards and 5 TDs. And they have nine more games to notch 5 more scores and become the first rookie QB-WR tandem to connect for 10 TDs in NFL history. Wow.
Fortunately for us, NFL Films had both players mic’d up during their Week 6 win over the Indianapolis Colts, for the always-awesome SoundFX program. Watching and listening to these guys play, it’s clear that Green still has some mental issues on the field, which are to be expected of a rookie, and he more than makes up for with sheer physical talent. But Dalton comes off like an old pro, directing traffic and displaying the leadership of a seasoned vet in the huddle, on the sidelines and with the coaches. And together, the two are developing a chemistry that should be exciting to watch for a long, long time.
Hell, it already is pretty exciting to watch, and we’re just getting started.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
18
Nov
2010
25 years ago today: Lawrence Taylor ends Joe Theismann’s career (VIDEO)
Do you remember where you were when this happened?
Today marks the 25th anniversary of perhaps the most gruesome moment in NFL history. On November 18, 1985, Redskins QB Joe Theismann dropped back to pass against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football … it would turn out to be the last snap he would ever take at quarterback.
As we all know by now, the play was a flea flicker, with John Riggins pitching the ball back to his QB. The Giants pass rush closed quickly, and LB Lawrence Taylor leaped at Theismann, with the full force of his body weight landing on the quarterback’s right leg. It was a clean hit, but there was a loud POP on the field (described by some as a “shotgun blast”), and Theismann’s leg had been nearly destroyed. He had a shattered fibula and a compound fracture of the tibia with one end protruding from his skin. It was one of those moments you couldn’t stand to look at, but just couldn’t turn away … and I bet most of us remember where we were when it happened. (I was in the 6th grade, doing homework while watching the game with the sound down. I didn’t need to hear it to know how bad it was)
Watch the grainy VHS tape of the incident after the jump
