The 2009-2010 football season has come to a close. The stage was set, the lights were shining, and the halftime show sucked. It was everything you expect from a Super Bowl. This was a little different; there were two totally different types of people in the game with different backgrounds.
Who Dat? Dat really is who; the National Football Champion Saints are Who Dat! Bourbon street hasn’t been this loud and proud since before Hurricane Katrina, and hasn’t ever been this excited after a championship seeing as how it’s their first one ever. Who would get the microphone after a game like this one? None other than NFL Champion and Super Bowl MVP, Drew Brees. I almost feel that 100% of the fans and players and everyone involved with this organization are deserving of a microphone, but I think Brees deserves to shine this time. Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions on the night. Of course this wouldn’t of happened if it weren’t for the surprise kickoff onside kick that sparked the Saints right out of the half, or if Tracy Porter hadn’t returned a Peyton Manning pass 74 yards. Brees also tallied up 288 total yards on the night while not tossing a single interception. He did all of this during a 31-7 scoring endeavor, which is tied for the biggest scoring comeback in a Super Bowl game. Brees also threw and completed a two-point conversion to Lance Moore that gave his team the edge over the Colts to end the 43 championship drought. To Drew Brees and the entire Saints organization and all the fans involved, CONGRATULATIONS! I’d love to interview every single one of you and hear DAT story.
The first let down I have ever had while watching a usually flawless Peyton Manning play the sport he loves. But this time Peyton is getting left alone. His performance was less than perfect and that is about it. You had to be that good and perform that well on the BIG stage in order to win the Super Bowl. Manning was however, 31 of 45 for 333 passing yards on the day. I can’t talk completely bad of him nor do I want to. When the game is on the line and everything you have worked for is about to pay off, you need to perform rather than be outperformed by a 25h ranked defense. Manning was outdone, like what tends to happen to Manning’s. He threw for an Interception late in the fourth quarter that ended any hope of another Super Bowl ring to be placed on the fingers of the Colts players. Overall the Colts played good Colts football, but this year that just wasn’t good enough to outdo DAT other team: The NFL Champion New Orleans Saints.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
All Good Things Come to an End
The National Football League has seen the world’s best football players and even some of the best athletes of all time. That is the up side thinking of this blog, however there must always be a downside to things (Remembering that I am NOT a pessimist at all in any way). That downside is when careers must come to an end. No matter how amazing of an athlete you are, everyone must eventually hang up the jersey one last time.
I am giving the microphone to Kurt Warner today for announcing his retirement. He has been one of the most influential Cinderella stories that my generation will ever see play the game. He arose from Iowa, where few NFL players come from, to become a much decorated professional athlete. His career as a whole was rather dominant and I believe he will one day be selected into the Hall of Fame. Warner completed 65% of his regular season passes for 32,344 yards and 208 touchdowns. He threw at least 100 touchdowns and 14,000 yards for two different teams in his career. The only other quarterback to do so is Frank Tarkenton. He also became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 passing yards and tied Dan Marino as fastest to reach 30,000. He appeared in two Super Bowls throughout his career. In 1999 he played in the Super Bowl with the Rams and beat the Titans while also being crowned league and game MVP that year. His next Super Bowl he lost in 2009 with the Cardinals when they played the astonishing Steelers. I must admit I have some bias towards Warner seeing as how he is an Iowa native from Cedar Rapids and played his college ball at UNI where my high school team once won a State Title in Football back in 2002. My brother-in-law was a two-way starter on that Championship team. When he stopped playing football it was a little devastating because it was his identity to some extent. But sooner or later good things come to an end. Just like my Corey, my brother-in-law, it’s sad to see Kurt Warner’s career come to an end.
I have to choose someone to get left alone and I am choosing Brett Favre, again. Not that I want to but it only makes sense. He isn’t the one prolonging this retirement thing. Every year we go through this 6 month argument of whether or not Favre will throw in the towel, put his cleats away and hang up the jersey one last time (or frame it in his case). Brett too has had a phenomenal career and still has the ability to play the game. So does Warner he is choosing not to though. If Brett wants to play, then play. If not just tell us and move on. You are a legend Brett; you’re not going to be forgotten. Besides you still have those wonderful Wrangler commercials and Sears commercials we all love so much. The longer he prolongs his decision the more likely he is to come back and play again I’d say. Maybe he isn’t as good of a football player as he once was but his game is not gone. Sure there is the fact that he ended up this season with an interception, but that what he does, throws Int.’s. He is willing to make those mistakes which are why he is also a playmaker and the leading touchdown passer of all time. So, step up like Kurt Warner and make a decision and stick with it. That’s what athletes are taught to do all their careers, make a quick decision and learn to live with it. I wish some of the greatest of all time would take this advice!
I am giving the microphone to Kurt Warner today for announcing his retirement. He has been one of the most influential Cinderella stories that my generation will ever see play the game. He arose from Iowa, where few NFL players come from, to become a much decorated professional athlete. His career as a whole was rather dominant and I believe he will one day be selected into the Hall of Fame. Warner completed 65% of his regular season passes for 32,344 yards and 208 touchdowns. He threw at least 100 touchdowns and 14,000 yards for two different teams in his career. The only other quarterback to do so is Frank Tarkenton. He also became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 passing yards and tied Dan Marino as fastest to reach 30,000. He appeared in two Super Bowls throughout his career. In 1999 he played in the Super Bowl with the Rams and beat the Titans while also being crowned league and game MVP that year. His next Super Bowl he lost in 2009 with the Cardinals when they played the astonishing Steelers. I must admit I have some bias towards Warner seeing as how he is an Iowa native from Cedar Rapids and played his college ball at UNI where my high school team once won a State Title in Football back in 2002. My brother-in-law was a two-way starter on that Championship team. When he stopped playing football it was a little devastating because it was his identity to some extent. But sooner or later good things come to an end. Just like my Corey, my brother-in-law, it’s sad to see Kurt Warner’s career come to an end.
I have to choose someone to get left alone and I am choosing Brett Favre, again. Not that I want to but it only makes sense. He isn’t the one prolonging this retirement thing. Every year we go through this 6 month argument of whether or not Favre will throw in the towel, put his cleats away and hang up the jersey one last time (or frame it in his case). Brett too has had a phenomenal career and still has the ability to play the game. So does Warner he is choosing not to though. If Brett wants to play, then play. If not just tell us and move on. You are a legend Brett; you’re not going to be forgotten. Besides you still have those wonderful Wrangler commercials and Sears commercials we all love so much. The longer he prolongs his decision the more likely he is to come back and play again I’d say. Maybe he isn’t as good of a football player as he once was but his game is not gone. Sure there is the fact that he ended up this season with an interception, but that what he does, throws Int.’s. He is willing to make those mistakes which are why he is also a playmaker and the leading touchdown passer of all time. So, step up like Kurt Warner and make a decision and stick with it. That’s what athletes are taught to do all their careers, make a quick decision and learn to live with it. I wish some of the greatest of all time would take this advice!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The "Aint's" No More
The NFC Championship, well most years “It is what it is,” two teams get together to see who gets to advance and lose the Super Bowl, but this year, it was different. There were two hardnosed teams battling it out for a chance to shine on footballs most prized stage. This game portrayed two teams that deserve a chance in the Super Bowl, but only one can advance. What a game it was, I haven’t had this much trouble picking someone to be left alone yet!
If your team is capable of putting together a win in a high profile game like this one everyone is a winner with one player’s performance being exceptional. That performance today was demonstrated by Garrett Hartley. Hartley nailed 40 yard field goal to end the game in sudden death overtime. I tried kicking a field goal once during middle school football; I was inaccurate, when the ball even left the ground, from any distance beyond the goal line. The field goal was perfect; it split the uprights and had plenty of height on it. I know he has been kicking them all season, and probably most of his life, but Hartley did it with ease. He was stuck in OT, with his team relaying on him, for a chance at the first ever Super Bowl appearance by the Saints, with some 71 thousand people in attendance and another million viewers on TV, not to mention a timeout called prior to his kick by the Vikings. So I tip my hat to Hartley and all kickers this week, your job isn’t as easy as everyone says it is.
You really can’t blame a loss on any one particular player; especially in a game like this one where there are so many great plays and key stats. However someone’s performance cost had to cost the game at some point. Today that player is Brett Favre. He had such a phenomenal season and another Super Bowl appearance on the line. He did throw for 310 yards. He only had one touchdown though compared to his usual three. He also had two interceptions. But the pivotal point for Favre was his second interception during the 4th quarter that ended the Vikings hope of their first Super Bowl in 33 years. He attempted to throw the ball across his body into the middle of the field when he had a receiver wide open in the flats. The only thing I can think he may have been trying to do is create a potential big play or set his field goal kicker up in the middle of the field. It is hard to say what goes through a man’s mind when actually put into a situation like that one, but you would expect a veteran to make the right choice. Now what do we do? Sit back and watch the talk about whether he’ll be back or not next fall.
If your team is capable of putting together a win in a high profile game like this one everyone is a winner with one player’s performance being exceptional. That performance today was demonstrated by Garrett Hartley. Hartley nailed 40 yard field goal to end the game in sudden death overtime. I tried kicking a field goal once during middle school football; I was inaccurate, when the ball even left the ground, from any distance beyond the goal line. The field goal was perfect; it split the uprights and had plenty of height on it. I know he has been kicking them all season, and probably most of his life, but Hartley did it with ease. He was stuck in OT, with his team relaying on him, for a chance at the first ever Super Bowl appearance by the Saints, with some 71 thousand people in attendance and another million viewers on TV, not to mention a timeout called prior to his kick by the Vikings. So I tip my hat to Hartley and all kickers this week, your job isn’t as easy as everyone says it is.
You really can’t blame a loss on any one particular player; especially in a game like this one where there are so many great plays and key stats. However someone’s performance cost had to cost the game at some point. Today that player is Brett Favre. He had such a phenomenal season and another Super Bowl appearance on the line. He did throw for 310 yards. He only had one touchdown though compared to his usual three. He also had two interceptions. But the pivotal point for Favre was his second interception during the 4th quarter that ended the Vikings hope of their first Super Bowl in 33 years. He attempted to throw the ball across his body into the middle of the field when he had a receiver wide open in the flats. The only thing I can think he may have been trying to do is create a potential big play or set his field goal kicker up in the middle of the field. It is hard to say what goes through a man’s mind when actually put into a situation like that one, but you would expect a veteran to make the right choice. Now what do we do? Sit back and watch the talk about whether he’ll be back or not next fall.
Monday, January 25, 2010
AFC Championship
The AFC Championship, here it came and there it went with all the excitement that it brings to its viewers every year. Every division has phenomenal teams in the AFC; the South is no surprise that the Colts were in this familiar situation, as for the Jets where did they come from? A wild-card advances this far with such a young quarterback, impressive to say the least. But what were they trying to pull. It’s time for the post game:
Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts will be getting the microphone after is star studded performance yesterday. I say this for three reasons. First, because of his numbers during the game. He was 26 of 39 on the day for 377 yards. This made him the first player to ever record 7 postseason games with 3oo+ passing yards surpassing Kurt Warner and the great Joe Montana. He also finished with three passing touchdowns and rallied from an 11 point deficit early on. Second, is because of his overall resume? He is a 4-time MVP of the league, including this year, and was just in the Super Bowl three years ago when he tore apart the Bears and was the MVP of the game as well. Third reason is because they kept a camera on him constantly throughout the game and it was something for younger quarterbacks to watch. Watching him on the sidelines during the 4th quarter of the game, what’s he doing? Wearing his helmet and playing catch to stay focused. He is the BEST in the National Football League, but he isn’t running his mouth about a former college coach (Mark Sanchez), no he is getting his team to rally behind his example and want to win for him. So that is just what they went on to do.
This Sunday Rex Ryan is getting left alone. What an embarrassment he is to the entire Jets organization. This wild clown once claimed his team was the Super Bowl favorites back before the playoffs had even began. Really? Really?? Who does that, guess he should have knocked on a little harder wood after that statement. Here is another reason why I wouldn’t have interviewed him after the game, he was quoted as saying about the Colts post-game, “You have to give credit to the Colts. Obviously they’re the cream of the crop right now.” Who says that? I’d like to see Peyton win another ring but for that simple statement I hope the Colts lose and then see what Rex Ryan has to say about his team. Another reason he doesn’t gets left alone is for his role in the merchandising industry, you know where he was actually wearing and selling gear that celebrated their AFC Championship! Next year, I think I’d play the game rather than just simulate it in your head if you’re going to vest in job like that one. Now do the honorable thing and walk out of Indianapolis with your head down due to stupidity, take your big mouthed rookie quarterback with you, and burn your closing line. Then come back next year and prove this wasn’t just luck.
Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts will be getting the microphone after is star studded performance yesterday. I say this for three reasons. First, because of his numbers during the game. He was 26 of 39 on the day for 377 yards. This made him the first player to ever record 7 postseason games with 3oo+ passing yards surpassing Kurt Warner and the great Joe Montana. He also finished with three passing touchdowns and rallied from an 11 point deficit early on. Second, is because of his overall resume? He is a 4-time MVP of the league, including this year, and was just in the Super Bowl three years ago when he tore apart the Bears and was the MVP of the game as well. Third reason is because they kept a camera on him constantly throughout the game and it was something for younger quarterbacks to watch. Watching him on the sidelines during the 4th quarter of the game, what’s he doing? Wearing his helmet and playing catch to stay focused. He is the BEST in the National Football League, but he isn’t running his mouth about a former college coach (Mark Sanchez), no he is getting his team to rally behind his example and want to win for him. So that is just what they went on to do.
This Sunday Rex Ryan is getting left alone. What an embarrassment he is to the entire Jets organization. This wild clown once claimed his team was the Super Bowl favorites back before the playoffs had even began. Really? Really?? Who does that, guess he should have knocked on a little harder wood after that statement. Here is another reason why I wouldn’t have interviewed him after the game, he was quoted as saying about the Colts post-game, “You have to give credit to the Colts. Obviously they’re the cream of the crop right now.” Who says that? I’d like to see Peyton win another ring but for that simple statement I hope the Colts lose and then see what Rex Ryan has to say about his team. Another reason he doesn’t gets left alone is for his role in the merchandising industry, you know where he was actually wearing and selling gear that celebrated their AFC Championship! Next year, I think I’d play the game rather than just simulate it in your head if you’re going to vest in job like that one. Now do the honorable thing and walk out of Indianapolis with your head down due to stupidity, take your big mouthed rookie quarterback with you, and burn your closing line. Then come back next year and prove this wasn’t just luck.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Vikings Vs. Cow"boys"
Well another round of the playoffs have come and gone this past weekend. Like every other week in sports there are winners and there are losers. So, after the game there are people who get microphone and people who get left alone.
Today the Microphone goes to none other than, Brett Favre. Was there any question as to who else deserved it this week? NO would be the correct answer. Just like professional bowlers defy physics to knock down pins, Favre is defying sports analysts who spend every week discussing his age and ability to still play. Ever heard the phrase, “age is just a number,” well Brett sure has and he is now demonstrating that slogan may very well be true. The numbers involved with Favre’s performance this past weekend are why he gets the microphone. 4 is the lucky number for this man I swear, 4 is the number on his jersey, it is in his age, 40, by the way he is the first 40 year old quarter back to win a playoff game. 4 is also the number of touchdowns Brett Favre threw in the NFC matchup against the Boys and his first touchdown pass was for 47 yards. Here is where it gets a little weird, he played the Cowboys 3 previous times in the playoffs, lost all three but won this 4th attempt. It’s in his total passing yards as well, 234. Vikings total score for the game, 34. If 4 really is a lucky number for the man, he has suffered 4 losses this season and that will be his only 4. As for the Vikings organization as a whole, it has been 49 years without a championship.
There were a couple of good plays on the other end of the spectrum for the Cowgirls, ah, I mean boys. They certainly aren’t Cowmen yet; some proved this more than others. Tony Romo wasn’t the only embarrassment the Cowboys suffered against the Vikes; I think Keith Brooking spread his pride all over the field so everybody in the Dome could be embarrassed for him. So Brookings is getting left alone after this game for his outburst during the closing minutes of the game when Favre threw for his 4th TD of the day. Yes it is embarrassing, maybe a little disrespectful, but if you leave it be then people feel sorry for you and it goes more unnoticed that you’re getting your butts handed to you. Instead this intelligent individual showed the most hustle he showed all game by chasing over to the sideline wear Childress was residing and yelled God only knows what. This outburst is just as embarrassing as how many points your team scored, 3, or how many your defense gave up, 34. In an interview after the game Brooking said it was, “classless and disrespectful,” how ironic, him acting that way in front of millions of viewers is no different. I of all people am an avid Vikings hater but I do respect their aggressive playing style and LOVE to watch Brett Favre play. He is playing every down hard and doing what he loves and wanted to set another record for himself, then leave it be Brooking. So swallow your pride, at the end of the day you’re still getting a paycheck.
Today the Microphone goes to none other than, Brett Favre. Was there any question as to who else deserved it this week? NO would be the correct answer. Just like professional bowlers defy physics to knock down pins, Favre is defying sports analysts who spend every week discussing his age and ability to still play. Ever heard the phrase, “age is just a number,” well Brett sure has and he is now demonstrating that slogan may very well be true. The numbers involved with Favre’s performance this past weekend are why he gets the microphone. 4 is the lucky number for this man I swear, 4 is the number on his jersey, it is in his age, 40, by the way he is the first 40 year old quarter back to win a playoff game. 4 is also the number of touchdowns Brett Favre threw in the NFC matchup against the Boys and his first touchdown pass was for 47 yards. Here is where it gets a little weird, he played the Cowboys 3 previous times in the playoffs, lost all three but won this 4th attempt. It’s in his total passing yards as well, 234. Vikings total score for the game, 34. If 4 really is a lucky number for the man, he has suffered 4 losses this season and that will be his only 4. As for the Vikings organization as a whole, it has been 49 years without a championship.
There were a couple of good plays on the other end of the spectrum for the Cowgirls, ah, I mean boys. They certainly aren’t Cowmen yet; some proved this more than others. Tony Romo wasn’t the only embarrassment the Cowboys suffered against the Vikes; I think Keith Brooking spread his pride all over the field so everybody in the Dome could be embarrassed for him. So Brookings is getting left alone after this game for his outburst during the closing minutes of the game when Favre threw for his 4th TD of the day. Yes it is embarrassing, maybe a little disrespectful, but if you leave it be then people feel sorry for you and it goes more unnoticed that you’re getting your butts handed to you. Instead this intelligent individual showed the most hustle he showed all game by chasing over to the sideline wear Childress was residing and yelled God only knows what. This outburst is just as embarrassing as how many points your team scored, 3, or how many your defense gave up, 34. In an interview after the game Brooking said it was, “classless and disrespectful,” how ironic, him acting that way in front of millions of viewers is no different. I of all people am an avid Vikings hater but I do respect their aggressive playing style and LOVE to watch Brett Favre play. He is playing every down hard and doing what he loves and wanted to set another record for himself, then leave it be Brooking. So swallow your pride, at the end of the day you’re still getting a paycheck.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
NFL Playoffs Begin!
What a way to kick off the 2010 NFL playoffs. There were so many great match-ups this past weekend and these were the wild card games. The Jets took on Cincinnati, Green Bay traveled to warmer weather to take on the Arizona Cardinals, and we can’t forget about Tony Romo and the Boys ending the Eagles hopes for a flight to the Super Bowl. The excitement of these games would not go unnoticed by me, especially with all the rematches. I love to see teams play again to see how accurate the first contest truly was. However not everyone can perform on the big stage when it counts.
After all the dust has settled in one of these infamous rematches down in Texas, I am giving the microphone to Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys. Romo had a thrilling performance which led the Cowboys to an exciting 34-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. I have chosen Romo for a number of different reasons, one of coarse being the fact that he led the Cowboys to their first playoff victory since 1996. That is more than a decade since a team that once held the name of “America’s Team,” during the 90’s when Troy Aikman became a legend on a less ravishing field that wasn’t nicknamed “a billion dollar baby.” (That is whole other story). Back to the story at hand, Romo was 23 of 35 in this dazzling performance for 244 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and no turnovers. WOW is another way to sum up his performance. Not being from Texas or a Cowboys fan this game had no personal connection for me other than the fact that my roommate has been a fan forever. The part that encouraged me to give the microphone to Tony Romo and to do conduct an interview was when he finished his 5th scoring drive in a row during the second quarter. I care who you cheer for that type of high power could excite anyone.
In every thrilling victory there always has to be someone that comes up short, a team that fails to see their landing destination (another game). Following this aggravating loss to the Cowboys I will leave Donovan McNabb of the Eagles alone. This was the 11th season in a row that McNabb has teamed up with Coach Andy Reid and embarked on a journey through a rigorous NFL schedule that ends up disappointing. They only advanced to the Super Bowl once in 2005 and that ended with a loss. Personally I can’t believe when you have that kind of a backbone on your team and have been going through the same motions for approximately 165 games you would be able to do the little things right and win a game against a coach, Wade Phillips, and quarter back, Tony Romo, who have never won a playoff game together or even when they weren’t together. The Eagles are dismantling right before our eyes; they were 6 and 0 in playoff openers until this past weekend. First half stats for McNabb and the Eagles include 18 snaps, which led to only 140 yards and two fumbles. 140 yards wouldn’t be so bad if one play didn’t produce 64 yards and a touchdown. Wait that was thrown by McNabb’s back up and understudy, Michael Vick. The same Vick who has been in jail for 3 years instead of the National Football League, the Vick that hasn’t seen a playoff game since ’99. McNabb is really all alone now, heading into the offseason I’d say his job might be up for discussion as the Eagles organization might want to look another direction to keep the fans happy. Retirement? I think McNabb might soon find himself a seat on Sunday afternoons rather than on his feet.
After all the dust has settled in one of these infamous rematches down in Texas, I am giving the microphone to Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys. Romo had a thrilling performance which led the Cowboys to an exciting 34-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. I have chosen Romo for a number of different reasons, one of coarse being the fact that he led the Cowboys to their first playoff victory since 1996. That is more than a decade since a team that once held the name of “America’s Team,” during the 90’s when Troy Aikman became a legend on a less ravishing field that wasn’t nicknamed “a billion dollar baby.” (That is whole other story). Back to the story at hand, Romo was 23 of 35 in this dazzling performance for 244 passing yards, 2 touchdowns and no turnovers. WOW is another way to sum up his performance. Not being from Texas or a Cowboys fan this game had no personal connection for me other than the fact that my roommate has been a fan forever. The part that encouraged me to give the microphone to Tony Romo and to do conduct an interview was when he finished his 5th scoring drive in a row during the second quarter. I care who you cheer for that type of high power could excite anyone.
In every thrilling victory there always has to be someone that comes up short, a team that fails to see their landing destination (another game). Following this aggravating loss to the Cowboys I will leave Donovan McNabb of the Eagles alone. This was the 11th season in a row that McNabb has teamed up with Coach Andy Reid and embarked on a journey through a rigorous NFL schedule that ends up disappointing. They only advanced to the Super Bowl once in 2005 and that ended with a loss. Personally I can’t believe when you have that kind of a backbone on your team and have been going through the same motions for approximately 165 games you would be able to do the little things right and win a game against a coach, Wade Phillips, and quarter back, Tony Romo, who have never won a playoff game together or even when they weren’t together. The Eagles are dismantling right before our eyes; they were 6 and 0 in playoff openers until this past weekend. First half stats for McNabb and the Eagles include 18 snaps, which led to only 140 yards and two fumbles. 140 yards wouldn’t be so bad if one play didn’t produce 64 yards and a touchdown. Wait that was thrown by McNabb’s back up and understudy, Michael Vick. The same Vick who has been in jail for 3 years instead of the National Football League, the Vick that hasn’t seen a playoff game since ’99. McNabb is really all alone now, heading into the offseason I’d say his job might be up for discussion as the Eagles organization might want to look another direction to keep the fans happy. Retirement? I think McNabb might soon find himself a seat on Sunday afternoons rather than on his feet.
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