15
Nov
2009
NFL WEEK TEN LIVE GAME BLOG: THE BRADY VS. MANNING EDITION
Love 'em or hate 'em, this is still the best quarterback duel in the National Football League. (Sources: Al Tielemans/SI)
For the past half-decade, it’s been the NFL’s best, if not only, great quarterback showdown. Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning. For two teams that don’t play in the same division, these guys have an uncanny knack for meeting annually at a critical juncture. Brady, of course, is the quintessential NFL quarterback, exuding confidence under pressure, a “team-first” attitude, and a will of steel. He’s got the looks, the super-model wife, and a handful of Super Bowl rings. He’s been lavished with riches beyond belief, and yet he remains likable.
Manning, meanwhile, has always been a perfect fit for Indianapolis, a throwback signal caller who’s been an absolute rock for a franchise that drifted for decades before his arrival. With a richer bloodline than any quarterback in our lifetime (even his little brother’s beaten Brady), he’s answered some of his sharpest critics (who wondered if he’d ever win a Super Bowl) and is currently enjoying one of his finest seasons to date. While he’s over-exposed and marketed idiotically — he and Eli come across a little dim in their countless ad campaigns — there’s no denying his achievements on the field.
The most-heated NFL rivalries almost always involve the game’s best quarterbacks. The Cowboys-Niners matchups featured the likes of Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, and Steve Young in the prime of their careers. The Niners and Giants pitted Montana vs. Phil Simms. When the Browns and Broncos met in three AFC Championships, it only happened because Bernie Kosar and John Elway led those teams.
Remember those great Giants-Redskins matchups between Dave Brown and Heath Shuler? Me neither.
This is a quarterback’s league. Always has been, always will be. Even if the Brady-Manning pregame hype is a bit tedious, it has produced some fascinating games. In a league where there are fewer and fewer powerhouse teams amid increased parody, we long for a true clash of the titans, and this may be as good as it gets in 2009.
We’ll be commenting on the games all day, and look forward to chatting with you. Click the comments section to join us for Week 10 in the National Football League.
9
Nov
2009
Reminder: Randy Moss is still incredible
Patriots WR Randy Moss seems to be flying under the radar so far this season. Despite the fact that he’s currently 5th in the NFL in receiving yards, Moss has been relatively quiet in 2009, with other receivers (Ochocinco, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald) getting most of the ink.
Yesterday Moss reminded us that he’s still one of the most dominant players in the league, with a 6-catch, 147-yd, 1-TD performance in the Patriots win over the Dolphins. And in case you missed it, early in the game, he made this freakish one-handed catch:
22
Oct
2009
OVERHEARD: Steve Rodgers and DarkHorse discuss Tom, Gisele, AD&D—and Zombies!
Thank you to ReadAndReact Administrative Assistant Isabella Zapp for transcribing and posting this conversation.
Steve Rodgers: DarkHorse, as a long-suffering Browns fan, do you see anything that gives you hope? I think if I were a Browns fan, I might start looking for another team?
DarkHorse: There is a plague on the Browns. At this hour, twelve Browns players are out with the flu–and we just lost D’Qwell Jackson for the season. Team secretaries and accountants will lineup vs. the Packers this Sunday–which may be a potential improvement. The season feels out of control and dangerous from a PR angle–will any free agent sign with the Browns again? I like Mangini, in theory, but Sundays feel like this to me.
So, what will Trent Edwards do with his newly discovered free time?
Steve Rodgers: I kind of like Mangenius, as well. The Browns feel like a Biblical curse that you would send on the enemies of God or something. If the secretaries line up, I hope Janice from HR is on the field. She fills out a pantsuit. Trent Edwards is spending his free time making highlight tapes for his accountant and taking a real estate correspondence course. He is also happily eating huge meals prepared by his wonderful and beautiful girlfriend. He feels lost without football but is looking forward to a brighter future.
What are some of the things in the LEAGUE right now that have you feeling the power?
DarkHorse: Well, I have a comfortable seat on the McDaniels/Orton Open-Bar Bandwagon Express–we love when a hot mess becomes a lovable team. I was digging the New York Giants until they were “pantsed” by the Saints. They’re dead to me this week. ITEM: I found this want-ad in a Nashville paper: “NEEDED: Large, burly men to play Advanced Dungeons & Dragons with other husky men from Mon-Sat (NOTE: also have to play a football game on Sunday—must LOOK the part, but playing experience not required). Extensive D&D campaign experience IS required–Level 22 and above ONLY. Please send your D&D resume to: J. Fisher / One Titans Way / Nashville, TN 37213. PS – Special consideration given to those with large figurine collections.”
The Tennessee Titans have moved past the gridiron -- to the Borderlands.
Steve Rodgers: I think the emphasis on figurines was very smart on Fisher’s part. It shows that those who apply will have attention to detail but, also, as the ad states, must be “burly.” I saw an ad like that in The Advocate in San Francisco, but it might have been for something completely different. Burly. The NFL: Where burly men run about in tight pants. Feel the Power!
DarkHorse: Three predictions you can TAKE TO THE BANK: (1) Drew Brees goes down for the season in Week 15 and the Saints lose in the first round of the playoffs. (2) Kyle Orton leads Denver to the AFC Championship, where they lose to… (2) Pittsburgh, and (the incredibly annoying) Big Ben, who will win another Super Bowl. Give me three LOCKS, Steve Rodgers.
Is there more to life than Gisele? (Source: WeeklyDrop.com)
Steve Rodgers: Three locks: (1) The Browns dig up the remains of Otto Graham, then preform devil voodoo on him, and he becomes the starting QB–he is a zombie. They slowly feed him Eric Rhett, who is kept in a meat locker under the Berea compound. (2) Tom Brady wakes up one morning, looks at Gisele, looks at his Super Bowl rings and his paycheck, and says, “Is this all there is?” (3) Jeff Fisher watches his team get pounded 32-0. After the game, he shaves his mustache, and hooks up with the CIA to become a handler of foreign agents in the field for a black ops division outside the goverment budget line. He never watches the NFL again.
DarkHorse: Does Zombie Otto Graham complete more than two passes a game vs. Buffalo? If so, I’m in.
18
Sep
2009
Friday Phone Call Between Tom Brady and Kyle Orton
Kyle Orton: Hey Tom, it’s me, Kyle. You mind if I ask a few questions?
Tom Brady: No problem, but I don’t have much time. Me and Gisele are headed out to Lake Como to hang out with Matt, Brad and George.
KO: You’re going to Lake Como? You have a game on Sunday!
TB: I’m Tom Brady, I can do anything.
KO: Um, well, I was wondering… Josh McDaniels, he keeps wanting me to hit the open man?
TB: Well…
KO: I mean what the hell, right?
TB: I, uh… that seems reasonable.
KO: You know how difficult that is?
TB: Well…
KO: That’s just crazy!
TB: I think maybe I have to go; the butler has informed me the limo is here.
Gisele [in the background]: Tommy, should I even bring underwear?
KO: Okay, but seriously, he also wants me to watch video! Of the other team! Can you imagine? What is that? I would understand if he wanted me to watch like “Replacements” or something, but game film? What? That’s crazy!
TB: Well… I really have to go.
KO: Okay, I am gonna go drink a TON of beer! You know what I mean? Get NFD, National Football Drunk. You know what I’m saying?
TB: I actually don’t.
KO: I got a 30-pack of Coors, my man. I mean screw McDaniels! I’m going to get HAMMERED!!!!
TB: Bye now.
KO: X-Box, chips and beer! Gonna get lit!! Let’s go Broncos!!!
15
Sep
2009
In memorium: Dalton’s Week 1 NFL Highlights
In honor of the passing of Patrick Swayze, we wanted to pay tribute to one of our favorite film character’s of all time – Roadhouse’s bad ass “cooler” with a sensitive soul, Dalton.
So in that spirit, we bring you Dalton’s Week 1 NFL Plays of the Week:
"Pain Don't Hurt"
All you have to do is follow three simple rules.
One, never underestimate your opponent. Expect the unexpected.
Brandon Stokeley’s miracle 87-yd tipped-ball TD reception:
Two, take it outside. Never start anything inside the bar unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Adrian Peterson’s 64-yd TD run against the Browns:
And three, be nice.
Tom Brady gives Suzy Kolber the ol’ brush off after Monday Night’s Patriots/Bills game:
Looks like Mr. Brady doesn’t know about the third rule. Fare the well, Dalton. Fare thee well.
4
Sep
2009
Derek Anderson to the Patriots?
As mentioned earlier today, we’ve been hearing chatter regarding a series of potential trades in the National Football League–including one that may permanently end the QB debate in Cleveland.
In the wake of the Cutler debacle, there was talk about Josh McDaniels pursuing a trade with the Browns for QB Brady Quinn. It never went down. Meanwhile, speculation about a Derek Anderson trade dates back to January 2008.
Tonight, on the eve of the 2009 season, the New England Patriots are without a solid backup for Tom Brady. With only two quarterbacks on the roster, something has to change.
There’s chatter all over the grid that Mangini’s decision to sit both Quinn and Anderson last night had a purpose: resting Quinn for the starting role in Week One, and positioning Anderson for a trade that will happen over the next 48 hours. People speculate that the Browns and Pats couldn’t be talking–the Belichick/Mangini feud would prevent that, right? Nonsense. If the deal makes sense for both coaches and both teams, the trigger will be pulled.
While Derek Anderson is far from perfect, he’s young with a cannon arm, and may appeal to Belichick in the same way Vinny Testaverde did in 1993, when Belichick made the decision to release Bernie Kosar, much to the horror of the entire city. (People forget that Vinny wasn’t even healthy when Bernie was cut, but he figured into the coach’s plans for 1994, and he helped lead the Browns to an 11-5 season and their most recent playoff win–over Bill Parcells and the Patriots, of all teams.)
Derek Anderson recalls, in some ways, the imperfect--but dangerous--skillset of Vinny Testaverde.
People ripped on Vinny for his perceived lack of intelligence–and his knack for throwing costly interceptions. Belichick loved his arm, and fawned over his athleticism. Inherent to Anderson are some of those same strengths and weaknesses–when he thinks too much, and gets tight, he suffers. When he’s loose (we’ve said before that he should drink about three beers before every game), the guy just guns the ball all over the field. Anderson can be frustrating beyond comprehension–but he’s downright dangerous when he’s on. Besides, he’s toiled on a team that’s been in flux since the Reagan era. What would happen to Anderson under the guidance of Belichick and the Patriots? It’s a scary thought.
DEVELOPING…
4
Sep
2009
CHOPPING BLOCK
NFL final cuts are flowing in. We’ll be monitoring the day’s roster slimdown right here for any surprise moves.
Former Raider QB Andrew Walter was signed by the Patriots this offseason, and cut this afternoon.
- Let’s start with news of ANOTHER offensive coordinator getting the ax: Buffalo Bills OC Turk Schonert has been fired and replaced by (former quarterback) Alex Van Pelt. That’s the third OC fired this season.
- The Patriots have cut quarterback Andrew Walter. NOTE: I just read on www.theobr.com (the top Browns board) that the Patriots are seeking a solid backup, and looking toward Cleveland. Here’s what the fan, known as Pacman96, had to say: “Traveling through Logan International today and heard on the radio early this morning that the Pats and Browns are talking about one of the Browns QB’s. Supposedly the Pats want a more experienced backup to Brady than they have.” The Patriots are down to Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer at quarterback. SOMETHING IS COOKING.
- SIDENOTE: Per Adam Schefter: BRETT FAVRE HAS BEEN FINED $10K FOR HIT CHEAPSHOT ON TEXANS DB EUGENE WILSON.
- Schefter also drops this juicy tidbit: the following NFL players may be gone (unconfirmed): Jamal Lewis, Deion Branch, Jeff Garcia, Matt Bryant, Brian Williams, Joey Galloway, David Tyree, Michael Bennett, and Ben Watson.
- Whispers that RB Justin Fargas is out in Oakland, as well as RB Chris Henry in Tennessee.
- The Bears have cut CB Roderick Hood; Titans release FB Casey Cramer; Browns have waived CB Tra Battle.
- The Bears have released 5th round pick LB Marcus Freeman. The Bears also announced today that RB Kevin Jones will miss the entire season with a torn ligament in his ankle, suffered during last night’s game vs. the Browns.
- The Chiefs have cut T Damion McIntosh. Kind of surprising. I haven’t followed the Chiefs with real depth, so I’ll allow their fans to comment on this move (according to this post, Chiefs fans are not upset about the move). The Chiefs are WEAK along the offensive line–that’s not up for debate. Cassel and the rest of the quarterbacks have been hurried, pressured, sacked, and physically tormented during a frantic, ugly 0-4 preseason.
Bears RB Kevin Jones is out for the year.
MORE NEWS AFTER THE JUMP…
10
Jun
2009
Better freak jump: Keith Eloi or Jarron Gilbert?
You may remember the pre-draft video of Bears’ rookie DT Jarron Gilbert jumping out of a pool, which received over 1 million hits on YouTube, and raised eyebrows of even the most jaded football fan with his impressive display of athleticism. Well, Redskins’ undrafted rookie WR Keith Eloi tries to do Gilbert one-better in this video clip by jumping off the ground into the back of a Ford F-150. In his slippers. Check it out:
Wow. Dude floated.
The Washington Post reports on what made Eloi decide to attempt such a stunt:
But desperation can make a young athlete do a lot of mindless things in the name of getting noticed and after a San Jose State defensive tackle named Jarron Gilbert gained instant fame before this spring’s draft by posting a video of himself leaping from a swimming pool, the players working out with Eloi suggested he do something to show off his vertical leap, which has been measured at 44 inches….
He has been told that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato had seen the YouTube video, though he has no idea if it made an impression on them. All he knows is that on the morning of the final minicamp practice, as he walked between fields, Cerrato pulled him aside and said, “We really like what we’ve seen of you, and we’re going to sign you this week.”
I don’t know. Clearly, I would hurt myself just trying to clear the bumper on that truck, but for my money, the Gilbert pool jump is a bit more impressive. I’m not sure, but I think the physics involved of jumping out of water make it more difficult. That, and he’s just a much bigger guy. This seems like a case for Sportscience!
AFTER THE JUMP, VIEW THE JARRON GILBERT POOL JUMP
26
Apr
2009
Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!
New Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno and family enjoy a relaxing draft Saturday. Photo: Kissing Suzy Kolber
And so it continues. Day 2 of the NFL Draft. From 10am-6pm ET we’ll get rounds 3-7, and then the Free Agency feeding frenzy will begin. These later rounds are loaded with impact players, and since the price tags are so much more reasonable, this is where teams really build out their roster. As Trey Wingo so cleverly said yesterday, “Day 1 is the Sizzle, Day 2 is the Steak”.
Need proof?
Here’s our list of the Top 10 Late-round Draft Gems:
Colston was a final round pick in the 2006 draft
- Tom Brady – 6th Round (199th overall)
- Hines Ward – 3rd Round (82nd overall)
- Adalius Thomas – 6th Round (186th overall)
- TJ Houshmandzadeh – 7th Round (204th overall)
- Asante Samuel – 4th Round (120 overall)
- Marques Colston – 7th Round (252 overall)
- Steve Smith (CAR) – 3rd Round (74 overall)
- Brian Westbrook – 3rd Round (91 overall)
- Marion Barber III – 4th Round (109th overall)
- Brandon Jacobs – 4th Round (110th overall)
And here are a few more links to get you ready for the action today:
- NFL.com’s Gil Brandt lists the top-ranked players still available for Day 2
- ESPN.com’s John Clayton lists 10 things we learned on Day 1 of the NFL Draft
- Kissing Suzy Kolber has an awesome video of Jets fans freaking out over the Mark Sanchez pick, along with some great Day 1 screen shots.
- Blatant Homerism picks their Day 2 Steals of the Draft.
