20
Apr
2012
Look how cute Bill Belichick was as a 6-year-old (PHOTO)
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick celebrated his 60th birthday this week, but this photo from Belichick family archives shows the dark overlord of NFL coaches during gentler times, as a six-year-old child:
(Photo via Reddit.com/r/nfl)
Basic math tells us the picture was taken in approximately 1958, and in it we find young William, pre-hoodie, sitting and smiling in the front of the stands at what was likely the U.S. Naval Acadamy, where his father was an assistant football coach.
If you look closely in his eyes, behind that innocent grin, you can tell little Bill is already putting together defensive schemes in his head.
[H/T Reddit.com/r/nfl]
10
Feb
2012
New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI Graphic Novel (PICS)
As a tribute to his beloved New York Giants, user Chris in Philly of BigBlueInteractive.com has taken to creating graphic novels representing each of the team’s recent playoff wins. A few weeks ago, we posted parts 1 & 2 of the novel which presented the Giants victories over the Packers and 49ers in the form of Eli Manning‘s comic book-stylized journal.
So ever since their impressive victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, we’ve been patiently waiting for CiP’s next masterpiece … and he didn’t disappoint, delivering not one but TWO new pages representing both the championship game and the parade that greeted the Giants upon their return home (CLICK TO ENLARGE):
(Artwork: Chris in Philly via BigBlueInteractive)
FINAL CHAPTER AFTER THE JUMP
9
Feb
2012
Super Bowl XLVI is even more thrilling mic’d up (UPDATED w/VIDEO)
Manning makes the throw of his life (Photo: NFL.com)
As always, the NFL Films crew was in full force at Super Bowl XLVI, capturing all the sights and sounds of the world’s biggest game as only they can. For this game, the Sound FX team had WR Victor Cruz and LB Michael Boley mic’d up for the Giants, and QB Tom Brady and DT Vince Wilfork wired for the Pats. And the result is every bight as insightful and exciting as you’d expect it to be.
Here are the links to watch the entire Sound FX program on NFL.com: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4
A few of the more interesting moments from the broadcast:
- Justin Tuck’s pre-game speech inspiring his teammates who have yet to win a Super Bowl to reach for their ring (which possibly inspired the team’s now-famous post-game “I got a ring” celebration)
- Patriots owner Robert Kraft asking to look into Tom Brady’s eyes before the game to see if he has “the look”, and Brady responding “I got it today. I’ve had it for three days”
- Victor Cruz pre-game: “Super Bowl 46 … I used to think it was all about me, and what I could do. It’s all about this team, man.”
- Wes Welker: “I’m open on every play.” Brady: “I know you are, man. I know you are.”
- Brady, following the intentional grounding call that resulted in a safety on the first offensive play of the game
“I looked at Gronk, I looked to Wes, he dropped, then I felt him, I had no place to throw it away. I threw it over his head. I didn’t want to throw an interception.”
- On Cruz’ fumble/non-fumble in the first quarter, when the Patriots were flagged for 12 men on the field, the Giants saw it all the way, urging Manning to snap the ball to catch New England for a free play
- After Jason Pierre-Paul knocks down a Brady pass, the QB says to Welker on the sideline: “It’s like throwing in a forest, dude, those f*ing guys arms are like…”
- When Giants Kevin Boothe was called for holding Vince Wilfork in the 2nd quarter, nullifying a big first down and ultimately killing the drive. Immediately, the referee asks the official who thew the flag “You’re good with it? I thought he spun off of it”, which Wilfork later confirms, saying “That was a bad call”.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
7
Feb
2012
Jimmy Kimmel challenges viewers to unplug TV during their Super Bowl party, with predictable results (VIDEO)
(Image via Youtube.com)
Jimmy Kimmel has gained some internet notoriety recently by challenging his viewers to pull cruel and unusual pranks on their children, video tape the results and post them to YouTube. The resulting “I told my kids I ate all their Halloween candy” and “I gave my kids a terrible present” were hilarious. Downright mean, but hilarious.
Well, for Super Bowl Sunday, Kimmel set his sights on the adults of America, challenging folks to unplug their television set during a crucial moment of the game (preferably at a large viewing party), and record the reaction for our viewing enjoyment. Predictably, the prank was not very well-received … but surprisingly, no severe beatings or hospitalizations were reported:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
7
Feb
2012
Will “Bradying” become the hot new thing? (PHOTOS)
(Image via SBNation.com)
We all know how “Planking” and “Tebowing” have swept the nation in the past year, giving people everywhere a reason to take ridiculous photos of themselves and post them to the internet, right? Well, following his latest Super Bowl loss, it seems that Patriots QB Tom Brady has spurned a brand new photo-taking trend across the interwebs: “Bradying”.
As you can see from the banner pic, “Bradying” is emulating Tom’s pose where he sulks on the field after a particularly crushing loss. Bonus points if you can incorporate UGGS or a supermodel into your photo.
6
Feb
2012
Your Monday Morning Super Bowl XLVI Round-up
(Photo: Getty Images via ShutdownCorner)
Now that the dust has settled from last night’s thrilling Super Bowl contest, here are a few links to get you caught up what you may have missed:
- Eli Manning has silenced his critics by winning his second Super Bowl MVP, but Shutdown Corner makes the case that Justin Tuck deserved the award too, based on the pressure he applied on Tom Brady all day, including the 1st quarter safety
- Wes Welker’s dropped pass with just 3:46 left in the game is being singled out as the reason the Patriots lost the game, and based on their reaction yesterday, it’s safe to say some of his teammates probably agree
(via Gifninja.com)
- Gisele Bundchen was also not happy with the Patriots receivers after the game, pointing out that “My husband cannot (bleeping) throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time!”
- Steelers James Harrison and Ryan Clark took a couple shots at the Patriots via Twitter after their loss, with Harrison going so far as to say “Cheaters never win!!!”
- It was quick, so you might have missed it, but M.I.A. apparently flipped America the bird during the halftime show (VIDEO HERE)
- Somebody bet $1,000 that the first score of the game would be a safety. That person is now $50k richer
- In case it was too noisy at your SB party to watch all the much-hyped commercials, here are all the Super Bowl Ads for your viewing pleasure
- And unless you live in North Platte, Nebraska, you probably didn’t know that Will Ferrell appeared in a SB commercial for Old Milwaukee
- Giants rookie LB Greg Jones proposed to his long-time girlfriend on the field immediately following the game, with confetti still falling around them
5
Feb
2012
Giants defeat Patriots 21-17 to win Super Bowl XLVI, Eli wins MVP (VIDEO)
Eli = Elite (Photo: NY Giants Facebook)
The New York Giants are Super Bowl Champions once again, and Eli Manning has won his second Super Bowl MVP award after defeating the New England Patriots 21-17 in Indianapolis tonight. With the win, Eli officially steps out of the shadow of his brother Peyton, and cements himself in the annals of NFL history as one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks.
The biggest play of the game came in the fourth quarter, as the Giants attempted to drive the field for the game-winning score. Manning hit Mario Manningham for this incredible 38-yard sideline catch:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
4
Feb
2012
ReadAndReact’s Super Bowl XLVI picks
(Photo: BleacherReport)
Yes, that’s right. Since there is clearly a lack of opinions on the subject available on the internet, we’re here with our own prognostications for Super Bowl 46!
It’s the Giants versus the Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl 42 – widely considered one of the greatest championship games of all time – and everyone at R&R HQ has pretty strong feelings about this one. Artie is a diehard Giants fan, while steverodgers is a Patriots backer, so they’ve both been riding their team’s bandwagon to the promised land since the beginning, and are on the verge of an emotional breakdown in anticipation for tomorrow’s contest.
So without any further adieu, here are our picks for the big game (CLICK TO EMBIGGEN):
As you can see, our “experts” our split down the middle, with Artie and COURTNEY (a loyal Cowboys fan) picking the Giants, and going with Victor Cruz as the MVP over the odds-on favorite Eli Manning. Meanwhile, TDH and steverodgers picked the Pats and Tom Brady to bring home the most valuable player trophy.
Most of our gambling will come in the form of inane prop bets that have nothing to do with the actual football game, like how many times they show Gisele on TV, or how long it takes Kelly Clarkson to sing the National Anthem, or whether Madonna will be wearing a hat during the halftime show … all real available bets, by the way.
Enjoy the national holiday that is Super Sunday, and let’s just hope it’s a competitive game that’s worth watching.
3
Feb
2012
Your Super Bowl XLVI Lombardi trophy (PIC)
Seriously, Sunday can’t come fast enough …
(Photo: TheDarkHorse)
2
Feb
2012
ReadAndReact’s Super Bowl XLVI Media Week Photo Essay (16 Photos)
ReadAndReact’s very own TheDarkHorse is in Indianapolis this week for the Super Bowl XLVI festivities as part of his side-gig for NFL.com, and has been right in the thick of it on Radio Row for all the Media Week action. Fortunately for us, he managed to grab a few quick snapshots along the way:
Rich Eisen prepares to join Heath Evans and Warren Sapp on the NFL Network set (Photo: TheDarkHorse)
Giants WR Hakeem Nicks has big hands (Photo: TheDarkHorse)
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski's ankle is the talk of Super Bowl week (Photo: TheDarkHorse)
When egos collide: Primetime and Ochocinco (Photo: TheDarkHorse)
Giants DE Osi Umenyiora made it for this media session, after missing one earlier in the week (Photo: TheDarkHorse)
MORE PHOTOS AFTER THE JUMP
