28
Jan
2012
Watch this amazing compilation of fan reactions to the AFC Championship game (VIDEO)
(Image via Youtube.com)
There has been a trend sweeping YouTube in recent years of fans recording themselves watching live sporting events unfold, and then uploading their reactions for all the world to see. This has provided us with all kinds of tremendous sporting moments caught on camera from the fan’s point of view, like this remarkable compilation of fans watching Landon Donovan’s game-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup.
And as you might guess, last week’s AFC Championship game between the Patriots and the Ravens provided all kinds of fodder for superfans everywhere to freak the eff out, with their cameras rolling. Between both Lee Evans’ near-game-winning-TD that wasn’t and Billy Cundiff’s field goal shank that lost it for Baltimore, the final few minutes were an emotional roller coaster for fans of both teams.
So that’s what makes this compilation of fan reactions to the game (aptly titled “The Agony of Defeat and Thrill of Victory“) – which features both ebullient celebrations and soul-crushing collapses from Pats and Ravens fans alike – just so fantastic. You really get to feel the win/loss from both perspectives, and get a sense of just how much this game means to people everywhere. And of course it includes this guy.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
28
Jan
2012
Lucas Oil Stadium is gearing up for the big game (PIC)
This awesome aerial photo of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy – where preparations are well under way for Super Bowl XLVI – comes to us via Reddit.com/r/nfl from user fit431, who works in the network/internet department at the stadium, and can apparently climb like a spider monkey up into the rafters for this perspective.
As you can see, the endzones are already painted, along with the SB logo … and it looks like they were in the middle of painting the Giants’ sideline when this shot was taken yesterday:
(Photo: Reddit.com/r/nfl via user fit413)
The best comment from the thread was easily this one by Redditor NightEmber79:
Lucas was such a good choice for the Superbowl. The field is in great shape. Hardly any football was played there this year.
Good night everybody! Try the veal.
20
Jan
2012
Patriots Rich Ohrnberger owns the funniest Twitter account in the NFL
Rich Ohrnberger is a little-used back-up guard for the New England Patriots who recently took to Twitter, and is quickly making a name for himself with his hilarious (and slightly bizarre) commentary:
With just 33 tweets since Jan 7th, @Ohrnberger has already racked up 16k+ followers with his unique, off-color views on life and the world we live in. And although none of his tweets have anything to do with the NFL, Ohrnberger clearly isn’t afraid to tread into territory not all athletes are willing to go … and more importantly, the dude is just plain funny.
18
Jan
2012
Rob Gronkowski spikes the ball – or “Gronks” – to the 1812 Overture (VIDEO)
So "Gronking" is now an actual thing (Photo: Boston.com)
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has set a new standard for receiving tight ends in the NFL this year, with a record 1,327 yards and 17 regular season touchdowns, plus 3 more in last weekend’s divisional playoff game. Along the way, he’s made a habit of angrily spiking the ball into the turf after every score, spawning the term “Gronking” to describe his particularly violent take on the traditional celebration.
In fact, in an obvious take-off of the Tebowing trend, Gronking has apparently become a thing among Pats fans - complete with it’s own website - who want to emulate their favorite player. Somehow, in his own jolly-meathead-icon fashion, Gronkowski has actually managed to make spiking the ball cool again.
Now, someone has gone ahead and set clips of Gronkowski’s spikes to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture … and let’s just say it makes for a very explosive highlight reel:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
13
Jan
2012
ReadAndReact’s 2012 NFL Divisional Playoff Picks
John Elway riding a Tebow Centaur ... what? (Image via kissingsuzykolber.com)
While the entire world seems to be gripped by Tebowmania (as evidenced by ESPN’s Tebow Hour and the latest, now-ubiquitous “Tebowie” skit by Jimmy Fallon), there are a few other quarterbacks with super bowl rings who will also be competing in the NFL’s divisional playoffs. Brady, Brees, Rodgers and Manning - you may have heard of them – will each take the field this weekend to try and lead their teams to the conference championships, despite being overshadowed in the media by their Jesus-loving Denver counterpart. And all of them are much better QBs than Tebow, by the way.
After jumping out to an early 3-1 lead with his Wild Card picks, The DarkHorse will try to keep it going for the Divisional round. Here are this weekend’s picks from R&R HQ (CLICK TO EMBIGGEN):
So, it seems our “experts” are split down the middle on the 49ers-Saints and Packers-Giants, while Artie is the only brave soul to ride the Tebow Centaurs to the promised land over New England, and steverodgers is the only one who likes the Texans over Baltimore.
Surprisingly, all of our super bowl picks are still alive, but that’s going to change on Sunday, when either the Packers or Giants will be sent packing. As always, these picks are purely for entertainment purposes … we are mediocre at this on our good days, so feel free to share your picks and mock us in the comments.
13
Dec
2011
Jabar Gaffney leaps into Patriots fans after TD; Nobody catches him (GIF)
Kid sees this coming all the way and is not psyched (Image via WashingtonPost.com)
Heading into Sunday’s Redskins-Patriots clash, the Washington wide receivers collectively decided to leap into the FedEx Field stands if any of them scored touchdowns. Their very own version of the Lambeau Leap … the “Landover Leap”, if you will.
So, following his second quarter score, Jabar Gaffney looked to the back of the endzone and launched himself (backwards) into the stands. Unfortunately for Gaffney, he leapt directly into the unwelcoming arms of two Patriots fans who were sitting in the front row. The father-son duo (pictured above) clearly wanted nothing to do with Gaffney as he came over the railing, and recoiled back, letting him fall straight onto the seating floor (VIDEO HERE).
Watch it in glorious GIF format, over and over again [via SBNation]:
(via SBNation.com)
15
Nov
2011
Ochocinco’s new Twitter avatar is the best thing he’s done all year (PIC)
(Image via PatsPropoganda.com)
This hilarious Lethal Weapon 3 poster spoof – with Chad Ochocinco, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick playing the roles of Danny Glover, Mel Gibson and Joe Pesci, respectively - is apparently the new avatar for Ochocinco’s Twitter account.
Good stuff, but this new partnership hasn’t exactly proved to be “lethal” so far. Unfortunately for Chad, it seems as though he’s spending way more time on Twitter than he is studying the Patriots playbook, netting just 11 catches for 201 yards and 0 touchdowns this year. And while it’s definitely cool, let’s not pretend that Chad actually tried his hand at photoshop and created this masterpiece himself … I’m guessing it’s a piece of fan art from one of his nearly 3 million (!!!) followers.
[H/T Pats Propaganda]
14
Nov
2011
Rex Ryan is a grumpy loser; tells fan to “Shut the f@#k up” (VIDEO)
(Image via Sportsgrid.com)
You know what? I’m starting to think that, for all his bluster (and girth), Rex Ryan might not have the thickest skin for criticism … especially when he’s losing.
At halftime of his team’s 37-16 drubbing at the hands of the Patriots, with his team trailing just 13-9, the Jets head coach cursed out fan in the stands at MetLife Stadium. The guy – possibly drunk, probably a Patriot fan – clearly struck a nerve with Ryan, shouting, “Hey Rex, Belichick is better than you!”, to which Rex retorted, “Shut the f@#k up” as he walked into the tunnel.
Watch the video below, with the action coming at the 15-second mark:
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
14
Nov
2011
Deion Branch mocks Fireman Ed’s “J-E-T-S” chant (VIDEO)
Awww ... poor widdle Ed (Photo via BustedCoverage.com)
“Fireman Ed” Anzalone – the New York Jets superfan and self-appointed mascot that everyone loves to hate – got a taste of his own medicine last during the Jets 37-16 loss to the Patriots last night.
After scoring an 8-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, Patriots WR Deion Branch used the stage to imitate Fireman Ed, who leads the traditional “J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS” chant among his fellow fans. Needless to say, this didn’t go over too well with the Jets faithful, who were already having themselves a huge pity party while coming to terms with being swept by their division rivals.
Kudos to Branch for originality, and for finally shutting Fireman Ed up … even if only for a little while.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
5
Nov
2011
Forbes ranks the best and worst NFL owners
Johnathan Tisch, Steve Tisch and John Mara (L-R) (Photo: NYPost.com)
This week, the folks over at Forbes magazine put together their list of the best and worst owners in professional football. The rankings are based on each franchise’s change in total value and win percentage over the last five years, with each accounting for half of the overall ranking, plus a bump for post-season success. And while the results probably won’t shock anyone, it’s nonetheless interesting to keep track of which owners consistently keep their clubs at the top of the game.
The top spot goes to New York Giants co-owners, the Mara and Tisch families, who have seen a 33% growth in the team’s value since 2006 (the highest in the league). Close behind in second place is Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots, who have increased their value 17% by posting the highest winning percentage of any team in the last five years. Rounding out the top five are Jim Irsay of the Indianapolis Colts, the public stockholders of the Green Bay Packers and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.
(Photo: DetroitLionsBlog.com)
At the bottom of the barrel we find William Clay Ford Sr. and the Detroit Lions. Although the team is enjoying a resurgence this season, Ford’s team has epitomized futility in professional football for the past ten years. Reaching brand new lows in 2008 with their 0-16 2008, Detroit was the only team to actually lose money last year. While the average NFL team has seen growth of 8% over the last five years, the Lions have seen their overall team value drop by 3% in that same time period.
The late Al Davis claims the second-worst spot for his mis-management of the Oakland Raiders, with Ralph Wilson Jr (Bills), Mike Brown (Bengals), Randy Lerner (Browns), joining him in the bottom five.
VIEW THE 10 BEST AND WORST OWNERS AFTER THE JUMP
