So, I just finished with exams for the semester at the wonderful Methodist Theological School in Ohio. I thought I'd celebrate with a lil XBox 360, until I got the dreaded blinking red light and E74 Error combo. So, in an angry and woe is me mood, I'm going to Protect the Shield and recap everything that happened in Week 13. Maybe I can find some knuckleheads to take out my frustration on. LaRon Landry, I'm pointing in your direction...
Underrated Story of The Week: Knuckleheads Like LaRon Landry Are What's Wrong With The NFL...
-More on the Saints staying 12-0 (woooo!) later, but the one thing that struck me the most during the Saints/Redskins classic was the behavior of LaRon Landry. After EVERY single play when Landry got within 2 yards of the ball he started woofing, clapping, nodding his head up and down, and basically making a mockery of himself and the game. It was embarrassing. I don't know what his motivation was, but I'd be willing to bet my life savings that he's a moron who's only trying to draw attention to himself. Why am I so sure? Because after one deflected pass in the redzone he was clapping and taking bows. That sure looked worthwhile when the Redskins choked.
You know why that's embarrassing? Because LaRon Landry has nothing to be clapping and taking bows for. Case in point:
-Your team is now 3-9
-Your career NFL record with the Redskins is 20-25, 0-1 in the Playoffs.
-You've never made a Pro Bowl, after being a Top 10 pick.
-You have 2 career interceptions in 3 seasons.
-You left your jock on the field when you got beat on 2 TD throws, including the game tying score with a minute to play.
So, LaRon, why don't you go look in a mirror, and take bows, and blow kisses to yourself, because you my friend are the only person in the world that thinks you deserve all that praise.
I'm all for guys expressing themselves on the field, and celebrating, and enjoying the game. But, players like LaRon Landry take it too far when they act like they should be in the Hall of Fame for making 1 tackle. Maybe, LaRon, if you spent less time patting yourself on the back, you wouldn't be seeing so many open receivers run by you. Maybe you would actually be a winner. And just to show you that I'm not too off-base here, this is a comment from a Redskins fan on the DC Sports Bog about Landry...
#30 needs to stop with his idiotic celebrations after every play. its obvious that he is not a team player when he gets up and celebrates a tackle after a 9 yard rushing gain by the other team--that is not what a team player does, that's what a selfish showboat does. this team (especially a team this bad) should have no tolerance for a player showboating like this when he gives up such big plays. Hey LaRon, act like you've been there before!
Overrated Story Of The Week: Welcome Home Mike Vick
-I'm sorry, but I don't get the coverage that was necessary of Mike Vick's return to Atlanta. We've been told all season that everything Mike Vick is overrateed, and yet all we hear about in Week 13 during the middle of the playoff push is... Vick. I don't like that Andy Reid made so many changes (Vick being a captain, leading the team on the field, etc.) just to accommodate Vick and his return to the ATL. You're in a playoff race yourself. #7 has been a complete non-factor for the Eagles so far this season, and I'll be shocked if he doesn't return to being a complete non-factor. I didn't expect anything different from the Atlanta fans that worshipped him for years to chant his name in the Georgia Dome. Hopefully it does mean that Vick will continue to mature, and that we can forgive him and move on, like we did the first 12 weeks.
3 Stars:
3rd Star: Kurt Warner & Larry Fitzgerald (QB/WR - Cardinals)
-These two shined in a big statement game for the Cards in a win against the Vikes. Warner threw for 3 TDs while Fitzgerald had 8 catches including 1 score. Don't overlook this team as a real challenger to either the Vikes or Saints in the playoffs. This offense will be able to score with anyone, even on the road.
2nd Star: Bruce Gradkowski (QB-Raiders)
-Wait, is this a typo? Bruce Gradkowski?? Well, it isn't. Somehow, the Toledo grad threw for over 300 yards and 3 TDs to lead the Raiders to the improbable upset of the season in Pittsburgh. By the way, Oakland has now beaten Cincy, Pitt, and Philly this season. Sure, his passes on that final drive were ugly ducks, but they got the job done.
1st Star: Robert Meachem (WR-Saints)
-Another week, another Saint as our first star. This time it's the vastly improving Robert Meachem that picks up our award. Meachem was considered a bust after his first 2 seasons, but has really blossomed for the 12-0 Saints this year. He's our star not only for his 8 catches, 142 yards and game tying TD, but his incredible fumble return for a score late in the first half. That gave the Saints a huge boost and tied the game at 17. If the Saints do go unbeaten, they'll look to Meachem's Week 13 performance and fumble return as the play that made it possible... (and they'll thank the newly unemployed Shaun Suisham). Here's the video...
Fab 5:
1. Indy
1. New Orleans
3. Minny
4. San Diego
5. Cincy
-A thought about our rankings: The tie at the top remains. The conventional wisdom is that the Saints will pursue 16-0 while the Colts won't, but these two might be the best thing going for each other. If one loses, all the pressure to go unbeaten will fall on the other. I prefer the Saints' strategy of going for it, the Colts haven't had success resting starters in the past. Minny's hold on #3 is weakened as Favre's fall could be coming, but it'll take another loss to put either SD, Cincy, or a looming Zona above them.
11 Random Observations:
1) Well, it was nice while it lasted for Vince Young and the Titans. A game at the 11-0 Colts was too much, as Indy shut down Chris Johnson nicely. At 5-7, those miracle playoff dreams are probably over, but the future should still be bright for this team.
2) Another week, another uninspiring Bears offensive performance. They have to make an offensive coordinator change in the offseason and replace Ron Turner. Here's R&R's take about 2 college coaches that should be given a look see. Y2 though would prefer USC OC, and ex-Denver point man Jeremy Bates, who has an established relationship with Cutler.
3) A great win for the Cards on Sunday night. Is this the start of Brett Favre's late season swoon? We can hope. A bigger story might be the loss of a great MLB in EJ Henderson for the season. That was an ugly, ugly injury, he'll be missed.
4) Another candidate for knucklehead of the week? Mark Sanchez. Way to follow the advice of not only your head coach, but a World Series winning manager. Smooth.
5) Speaking of ugly and being knuckleheads, that was an unwatchable game last night. The Packers and Ravens combined for one of the most penalized games of all-time. 8 PI penalties?? I think you could put a D3 secondary back there and have them perform better.
6) So much for that big Patriots bounce back win... did Chad Henne just outduel Tom Brady? I still wouldn't be concerned about the Pats winning the East though. Although the window is definitely closing on the dynasty.
7) Give Denver credit for quietly getting back to 8-4 after a demolition of a pathetic Chiefs team. They should sew up a Wild Card birth fairly easily, which means this season is a success for Josh McDaniels.
8) Brandon Jacobs' TD catch and run should be eye-opening for the Dallas D. And, as much as we got on LaRon Landry, Flozell Adams' actions are even worse. He needs suspended before someone gets hurt because of his idiocy.
9) A message to whoever gets the 1st pick out of St. Louis, Tampa, Cleveland, or Detroit... Suuuuuuuhhhhhhhh.
*For the rest of the season we'll save our last 2 observations to take a look at the AFC and NFC Playoff Picture!
AFC: Indy is certainly the 1 seed, while SD and Cincy will fight it out for the other bye. (They play in 2 weeks). NE should hold on to win the East ahead of Miami and the Jets. Denver and the Jags have the Wild Card lead, but I still wouldn't count out the Steelers to nip the 6 seed in the end ahead of Jacksonville.
NFC: Minny and New Orleans will get the byes. The Cards will take the 3 seed and the West, while the smart money is on the Eagles and Giants to come out of the East. With Dallas' schedule, they will fall out of the playoffs completely. At 8-4, Green Bay should get the other Wild Card.
What Happened In Week 13 That Will Change The Season: The Concussion Policy Takes Shape
-We've gotten on Roger Goodell for being more of a mafia don than a commissioner in the past, but this time he is absolutely right in taking a step to further define the NFL's concussion policy. With all of the hoopla surrounding the seriousness of concussions, the commish needed to make this step to improve player safety. Hines Ward's remark about lying to doctors was the red flag Don Goodell needed to implement this policy. It's not a mandatory 1 week rest, but at least there is a rule that disallows players from returning to action on the same day as an injury. Also, an outside neurological expert must be called in to give consultancy. It is a step that needed taken, but hopefully it's just one step to continue to improve player safety.
Check back to see who will win the Yoders' Heisman later tonight! Of course that means more than the real thing, c'mon! Also, we'll play out the YCS Playoffs and turn our attention to the college and pro hardwood later this week as well as the Top 10 D'Oh Moments of the Decade! Bye for now!
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