Redskins Trade RGIII For Jay Cutler !

 Fantasy Football, Humor, Sports  No Responses »
Apr 012013
 

The Washington Redskins have traded RGIII, Leonard Hankerson and a 2nd round draft pick to the Chicago Bears for Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall !!!

Jay_Cutler_Team_Color_jersey_87362

Apparently, after the recent rift and public shot at “other parties” in the organization by RGIII regarding his season ending knee injury; the Redskins are tired of a QB unnecessarily taking risks and blaming others for their decision making capability.

rg3

RGIII:

My first NFL season and my injury that ended it showed me a lot about the league, my team and myself.

I know where my responsibility is within the dilemma that led to me having surgery to repair my knee and all parties involved know their responsibilities as well.

 

Cutler brings with him a wealth of experience of properly avoiding further injury and risking his career. And although he has been the butt of a lot of motivational jokes and accused of not being the best team player, he does have Mike Shanahan complete confidence.

nfl_g_cutler_shanahan_580

Jay Cutler :

I have played this game a long time and know when I am hurt and when I am not, when I can play and when I can’t.  I want to have a long NFL career and if that means I have to sit on the bench, then so be it.

Mike Shanahan:

He (Jay) is a Pro Bowl player; has a good supporting cast around him and has always been “A worker”; very smart; handles himself like you want. I think he is just getting better and better.  I like the way he competes. I like him on a day-in, day-out basis. I think people will see his personality in time, and hopefully it’s a short time before we all can see him build on our success of last year.

This trade reunites Coach Shanahan with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall and gives all of them a chance to rekindle past success and future championship dreams for all Redskins and Bears Fans a like.

HTTR !!!

 

A Matter Of Trust

 Sports  No Responses »
Jan 082013
 

rg3All season long both the Shannies would ask who ever was their starting QB “can you make this play”.  If the answer was “Yeah, I got this” then that is what they did.  And it worked.

So, when their starting QB said “I got this” after twisting his knee, they believed him.  Problem was, it wasn’t working.  For at least 2 quarters of play – even after the next couple of series – it was evident that RG3 was not able to perform, to do what was expected of him.

So, at that point, what should a coach do?

Do you take him out and put in your proven backup QB?
But then you would need to change your play selection.
Or, do you change your play calling to keep your starting QB from scrambling?
Or keep going as you have?
Do you consult the team doctor?
RG3′s Dad?
The psychic in the stands?

Truth is, you make a decision and you live with either the consequence or the success.

Nobody can foresee the future.  You go with the information on hand, historical precedence, and trust in your gut.

I read one article where a reader made a comment that star athletes are going to want to be in, to play, no matter what. That is what they do, they believe they can can take on the risks and succeed.  No matter what the cost. “you leave it all on the field”.  And It’s the coaches job to save them from themselves.

I agree – with the first part.

I disagree – on the second part.

It is about performance and results.  As Robert said so himself, you risk injury on any given play. Don’t believe me, ask Joe Theismann. And how many time have we seen somebody “play through the pain”.  The players job is to make the play.  The coaches job is two fold, 1) to develop players, skills and game plans that 2) give their team the best chance to win.

When one of the parts from “1)”  – listed above – doesn’t work, you make a change.  Notice, at no point does the question of further injury come into play.

Now some may argue that taking players out to avoid injury is done. And they would be correct.  It is done when the game is inconsequential or considered an easy game to win.

However, the Seattle game was a playoff game.  In the playoffs, there is no “easy game”.  No “we can sit our starters” because it does not matter.

The question really is, and always will be, who and what scenario, gives us the best chance to win.

You make your decision.

And trust that you make the right one.

Spreading The Cheer

 Humor, Sports, Topicality  No Responses »
Jan 042013
 

romo-impressed-meme

– think of this as my way of spreading the cheer, and jeer.

OK, I resisted all week but have finally broken down and am posting Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo Memes in honor of Fun Strip Fridays.

;-)

Dallas-Cowboys-Tony-Romo-Meme-Turnovers

Dallas-Cowboys-Tony-Romo-Meme

Dallas-Cowboys-Tony-Romo-Meme-Interceptions

Also, if you have not already seen it, the Mic’d up RG3 footage from the game is simply awesome – a true thing of beauty!

I especially like the part where he RG3 says “run it down their throats – make them quit”.

Here is another version – with some different sound footage and editing – but it does not have my favorite quotes like the one mentioned above.

Until next time – Be Good, Do Well, Have Fun
HTTR

Streaky Gut Predictions – Who Will Win The Super Bowl

 Sports  No Responses »
Jan 042013
 

super-bowl-predictionsInspired by my blogger friend at Snot Bubble Football, I have come up with my “Streaky Gut” predictions for not only who will win the Super Bowl but the entire NFL playoff picture!

Originally I made a bracket based solely on statistically probability, but quickly realized that it looked just like every other “expert prognosticator” out there on the internet. . .

(Gee, I wonder how they came up with their brackets . . .)

And, decided it was, well . . . boring.

 

So I tore up the paper, tossed it into the fireplace, took another sip from my drink and went a different route.

I stuck with win streaks, hotness and the ultimate in hype . . . fabricated story lines!

After all, that is what truly sells.

Looking at the NFL playoff brackets, teams, players, coaches, and hidden story lines, I realized that there is a ton of marketing potential! Here are some, just to name a few:

  • Ray Lewis’ final run and the Ravens
  • Andrew Luck and the Colts
  • Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning
  • A rematch between the Bengals and the Texans
  • Two rookie QB’s and their power running games
  • A freaky godlike RB and the Vikings

It’s all there, just waiting for the networks to spin, and you to tune in and watch.

Here is what I see happening. . .

Scenario #1:

Yes, many will be talking about Ray Lewis’ final season and the Ravens ‘playing’ for their franchise player – the face of the team.  But it will not happen.

For one thing, another team already has the ‘lets win this one for him’ designation and that is the Colts. They will play well enough to win, and Flacco will have one of his notoriously frustrating ‘off’ days and pull a Romo.

The slumping Texans will be challenged by the Bengals and ultimately lose in OT in a low scoring game. It will not be won by any decisive offensive play, but rather, by the defense – the Bengals Defense.

This sets up a Colts vs Patriots and Bengals vs Broncos showdown. And some will say hey, it would be cool to have the Colts vs Broncos for the AFC Championship. Queue the ‘QB That I Used To Know‘ parody.

But it will not happen. No way. Sorry.

AFC Championship Game will be Broncos vs. Patriots.

Scenario #2:

A rematch of two old NFC teams with a history of playoff match-ups, epic games, and perhaps one team / player with a grudge and/or perhaps a thought of . . . revenge.

Add to this that said team player is carrying his team on his back, ALL DAY , ALL GAMES and you have match-up #2

The NFC Championship Game will be the AP Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Redskins!

But just like that day, back on January 17th 1988, the Redskins will ‘make a play’ and ‘seal the deal’ for the ultimate prize against . . .

Yes folks, this sets up . . .

Scenario #3:

The Old vs New.

Imagine if you will – a former coach, called back into service to help restore fame and NFL fortune to a franchise going up against his old former team with a new owner (who just happened to have been tutored by said former retired coach) and newly resurrected “old” QB (who we used to know).

Imagine the headlines, the nationwide hoopla and hysteria of a match-up between the Shanahan RG3 Redskins and The Peyton (Elway) Broncos!

OMG!

It could happen.

But who will ultimately win the Super Bowl?

Look below at my streaky gut prediction to find out.

nfl-playoff-bracket-streaky-gut

 

Oh, and if you want to see some of the other Fumbled Returns prognosticator predictions click below to see their brackets.

But, they are not as streaky or fun as mine . . . ;-)

Continue reading »

Greatest Quarterback And Running Back Combos

 Sports  No Responses »
Jan 032013
 

Great-Redskin-QB-RB-Combos

Many NFL teams have had either great quarterbacks and or running backs over the years. Yet how often have any of them been fortunate to have teamed up together at the same time?

For the Redskins, they have had a few throughout their history. This year I think it is safe to say they have another dynamic duo in RG3 and Alfred Morris. What is remarkable, beyond all their achievements, is they are both rookies.

In the entire NFL, five rookie quarterbacks have won playoff games since 1970. Mark Sanchez (yes that Mark Sanchez), Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger Shaun King and T.J Yates. None of them were paired up with a rookie running back.

There have been a few rookie running backs who have won playoff games, most notably Chris Johnson, Joseph Addai, and Reggie Bush. None of them were paired up with a rookie quarterback and no Redskin rookie running back has won a playoff game.

The rookie QB / rookie RB combo (certainly one which is successful and stands an excellent chance of winning their first playoff game) is truly remarkable.

To find the last Redskin rookie quarterback to win a playoff game, you have to go all the way back in the record books to 1937 to this person who happens to be none other than the great Sammy Baugh. As you will see below, he also helped lead the Redskins to a Super Bowl Victory over the Chicago Bears that very same year.

Will history repeat itself this year? Lets hope so.

Listed below are what I consider the greatest Redskin quarterback / running back combos.

And yes, I am including RG3 and Morris in this list.

 

1)

SAMMY BAUGH (1937 – 1952)

During his rookie season in 1937, Baugh played quarterback, defensive back, and punter, set an NFL record for completions with 91 in 218 attempts and threw for a league-high 1,127 yards.   He led the Redskins to the NFL Championship game against the Chicago Bears, where he finished 17 of 33 for 335 yards and his second-half touchdown passes of 55, 78 and 33 yards gave Washington a 28–21 victory.  His 335 passing yards are the most in a playoff game by any rookie QB in NFL history.

  • 5× All-Star selection (1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942)
  • Pro Bowl selection (1951)
  • 7× First-team All-Pro selection (1937, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1948)
  • 2× Second-team All-Pro selection (1938, 1941)
  • 2× NFL Player of the Year (1947, 1948)

CLIFF BATTLES (1932 – 1937)

  • 6× All-Pro selection (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937)
  • 2× NFL Rushing champion (1932, 1937)

 

 2)
SONNY JURGENSEN (1964 – 1974)

Five time Pro Bowl selections (four with Washington). Led the NFL in passing three years 1966, 1967, 1969)

In 1967, Jurgensen broke his own record by passing for 3,747 yards and also set NFL single-season records for attempts (508) and completions (288).

In 1969 Jurgensen led the NFL in attempts (442), completions (274), completion percentage (62%) and passing yards (3,102).

LARRY BROWN (1969 – 1976)

He went to four consecutive Pro Bowls during his first four seasons and led the Redskins to their 1973 Super Bowl VII appearance against the “perfect season” Miami Dolphins. Brown was the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player in 1972.

He finished in the top five of the league for rushes five times, rushing yards three times, yards from scrimmage three times and total touchdowns twice. Brown was the first Redskins running back to gain more than 1,000 yards in a single season.

 

3)

JOE THEISMANN (1974 – 1985)

One Time Super Bowl Champion (1983) and two time Pro Bowl selections and NFL Offensive Player of the year 1983.

Theismann led the Redskins to a win in Super Bowl XVII and an appearance in Super Bowl XVIII and would go on to set several Redskins franchise records, including most career passing attempts (3,602), most career passing completions (2,044) and most career passing yards (25,206), while also throwing 160 touchdown passes, with 138 interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 1,815 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named NFL MVP in 1983 by four organizations.  He earned the Player of the Game Award in the second of his two Pro Bowl appearances.

JOHN RIGGINS (1976 – 1979) (1981 – 1985)

Super Bowl MVP and Champion (1983)

he gained 444 Playoff yards in victories over the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings (where he had a franchise playoff record 185 yards), and Dallas Cowboys, and helped the Redskins reach Super Bowl XVII.  Riggins rushed for a then-Super Bowl record 166 yards on 38 carries as the Redskins beat the Miami Dolphins 27–17.  He was then named Super Bowl MVP.

 

4)  – Just to review their remarkable achievements so far

ROBERT GRIFFIN III (2012 – Present)

  • Pro Bowl (2012)
  • 2× NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month (September 2012; November 2012)
  • 2× NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 1, 2012; Week 11, 2012)
  • 7× Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 1, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 16 2012)
  • 59th “Perfect Game” in NFL History (November 18, 2012 vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

ALFRED MORRIS (2012 – Present)

  • Washington Redskins Franchise Record of All-Time Rushing Leader in a Single Season (1,613 yards; 2012–present)
  • 2× Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 7, 2012; Week 14, 2012)
  • NFC Offensive Player of the Week (2012: Week 17)

 

All Stats referenced from wikipedia.org and pro-football-reference.com

 

Who do you think makes, or made, a great QB – RB Combo?

 

 Older Entries