The final two weeks of the NFL season mean only one thing: We’re less than two months away from the Pro Bowl.
And guess what? State Farm, the NFL, and Howie Long are trying to do the impossible. They’re trying to generate interest in the least important football game in America by sending you there for free. All you need to do is fill out this form.
You know what, this might actually be a contest you can win. How many people do you think are sitting around trying to figure out how they can get to the Pro Bowl? Seven? Twenty-two?
It’s also worth checking out the site so you can get a look at Howie Long prancing around in a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts. I can just picture him strolling around the beach, attempting to convince some young co-eds that he used to be a star in the NFL.
Brian Billick was wrong to kick a field goal on the last play of regulation against the Dolphins, and the media correctly blasted him for it. At that point I was ready to let it go. But then I read Billick’s explanation for the decision. It turns out he’s completely insane.
“Part of the calculation was, had we gone for it, if [the Dolphins] could’ve snuck a 12th man on the field, all 12 would’ve been up in the gaps, and they would’ve sold out totally for the run,” Billick said. “So had we gone for it, we probably would have needed to throw the ball. Because if we had run it, we’d probably — no commentary on us offensively or the line or the ability to run the ball — but they were going to shove everybody in there.
“So a play-action pass would’ve been good because their calculation would’ve been, maybe it’s a bad pass, maybe we get a tip, maybe it’s blocked or dropped. Had we done that, after what we had done to get down there, and any of those things had happened, I imagine what the critique would’ve been today about the play-calling.”
So basically Billick decided that they couldn’t run the ball because they Dolphins would try to sneak twelve men on the field, and the officials wouldn’t see it, and that 12th man would make it impossible to run it for a touchdown. And they couldn’t throw the ball because there was a chance the pass wouldn’t have been completed.
Hey, guess what Billick? No play has a 100% chance of success. Yes, it could have failed, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right play. And the fact that you’re thinking about referees not calling twelve men on the field penalties instead of thinking that going for it is the best strategy—that’s a real problem.
I also love how Billick tries not to offend the players involved in the running game by saying ” no commentary on us offensively or the line or the ability to run the ball. “Just tell your players you have no confidence in the run game. They know already.
Roger Clemens claims he has never used steroids. Hooray. But is that really what his statement says? Let’s take a look at Clemens’ official denial:
I want to state clearly and without qualification: I did not take steroids, human growth hormone or any other banned substances at any time in my baseball career or, in fact, my entire life.
Ok. Sounds good. But does “I did not take” rule out “somebody injected in my ass”? Clemens could arguably say that his statement is the literal truth even if he actually had steroids injected in his ass. After all, “I” (meaning Clemens) did not actually do anything.
The whole thing is just like President Clinton re-defining what it means to “smoke marijuana” or “have sex.” Basically, Clemens is re-defining what it means to “take steroids.” It’s possible that in his mind (and by that I mean his lawyer’s mind) “taking steroids” is different from “having steroids put into your body.” I would just love to hear Roger issue another statement about whether or not he knowingly allowed steroids to enter his body.
Troy Hambrick has done some good things in his life, many of them in 2003 when he became a fantasy football stalwart and helped lead the Cowboys to the playoffs. But earlier this month Hambrick was indicted by a federal grand jury on crack dealing charges. The former 900 yard rusher had recently been signed by the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League, but the team released him after he was indicted.
So why am I brining all this up? Because during that fateful 2003 season in Dallas the man handing the ball off to Hambrick was Quincy Carter, the proud owner of two marijuana possession arrests. The big question that then arises is if the three arrests between Hambrick and Carter make them the most drug-arrested backfield of all time?
Let’s see. Jamal Lewis and Bam Morris each played with law-abiding quarterbacks. Todd Marinovich’s running backs were clean. Chris Henry doesn’t qualify because he’s a receiver. I haven’t been able to get confirmation from NFL Films, but at this point I would have to give the nod to Hambrick and Carter. Congratulations guys.
The Eagles beat one division rival on Sunday, and with that victory came the bonus of screwing over another division rival.Because the Cowboys lost this week, their game against the Redskins on the last Sunday of the season will likely mean something.That should make the Redskins’ path to the post-season a whole lot tougher.
Bill Belichick Paranoia Moment O’ the Week
According to Tim MacMahon of the Dallas Morning News two guys on the Eagles sideline had the assigned task of holding up towels the hide the team’s defensive signals.
Stuff You Don’t Want to Miss…
–There’s a reason Brian Westbrook took a knee at the 1-yard line. That reason is Jon Runyan. Only an offensive lineman could instill that kind of unselfishness.
–The news continues to get worse for the Giants. On Sunday the ice and wind collapsed their practice bubble. That wind would then proceed to wreak havoc on anything and everything in Giants Stadium.
–How bad did the Chargers beat the Lions? They beat them so bad that with 6:40 still left in the game the Chargers public address announcer told fans to buy playoff tickets because the victory over the Lions ensured the Chargers a home playoff game. So much for waiting until the win was official. The PA announcer obviously had no confidence in Jon Kitna’s ability to orchestrate a 40 point comeback.
–The Jaguars had a secret weapon in the form of a former Steelers backup who they were mining for information.
–After the game Wade Phillips was being very coy about Tony Romo’s hand injury. Well, it’s either that or Phillips just isn’t a very smart man.
–Gillette Stadium was an absolute mess before the game. In order to clear the snow in the stands workers were using a trough to send it down to the field from 32 rows up.
–JaMarcus Russell and Peyton Manning had met before Sunday’s game. Apparently Russell used to attend Manning’s football camps. Who knew?
Despite Best Efforts, Mike Nolan Can’t Lose the Game
I still cannot get over Mike Nolan’s decision to go for it on 4th down with six minutes left in Saturday night’s game.It was hands down the worst coaching move in the NFL this season.There’s no defense for what Nolan did. If Joe Nedney had made the field goal (and he had made 27 straight from inside 50 yards) the game would have been over. It’s as simple as that.There wasn’t enough time left for the Bengals to get two scores.Going for it took a sure victory and turned it into a potential loss.
Now let’s assume going for it was the right play.Guess what? Nolan still handled the situation wrong.The 49ers had 3rd and 2. If you know you’re going for it on 4th down you should either throw it to the endzone (to take advantage of a short yardage defense) or run the ball (to potentially set up an easier 4th down if you don’t get it). Nolan did neither.
Falcons Clinch the 2008 NFC SouthTitle
The Bucs clinched the NFC South on Sunday, making it the 5th consecutive year that the last place team in the division has finished first the following season. This year’s last place finisher will be none other than the Atlanta Falcons. Do you hear that Falcons? 2008 is your year. Sure, the whole worst-to-first thing is just an arbitrary statistic that means nothing, but at this point it’s the best thing the Falcons have going for them.
Andre Davis: Master Punt-Downer
Most of the time a punt returner signals for a fair catch inside his own 15-yard-line, the opponent’s gunners will stop and stand next to him, hoping for the muffed kick that never comes.As they stand waiting there, the returner lets the ball land 10 yards behind him and it harmlessly bounces into the endzone.Andre Davis does no such thing. He is a man who knows his way around a pooch punt. During the Texans first punt on Thursday night Davis ignored Broncos return man Dre Bly, ran right past him, and caught the ball on the fly at the 7-yard-line.
Dominic Rhodes Earns Some of That Dough
The Raiders gave Dominic Rhodes $7.5 million this off-season. Until this week that money had bought them a total of 24 rushing yards, 1 catch, and 1 substance abuse suspension. Rhodes didn’t quite put up Adrian Peterson numbers on Sunday, but he did nearly triple his production for the whole season by rushing for 41 yards and catching two passes. Now he’s only about 60 yards behind Josh McCown for 3rd place on the team in rushing.
Referee Call O’ the Week
Larry Nemmers (who was officiating the Cowboys-Eagles game) began his explanation of why a replay challenge was being upheld by saying “In the National Football League, a receiver must…” Thanks Larry. It’s good that you’re not getting confused by Canadian Football League rules.
Stat O’ the Week.
0.0 Chris Redman’s quarterback rating on Sunday. I sure hope D.J. Shockley’s knee is healing well.
European Goal O’ the Week
Fernando Torres’ killer crossover helps put Liverpool through to the Champions League round of 16
(Every week there are a number of stories that slip through the cracks here at ShakedownSports. These are just a few of them.)
–The Blazers announced that they plan to sell the naming rights to the Rose Garden. Although Paul Allen says he is in talks with both regional and national firms, if Greg Oden makes a full recovery the team might just name the arena after his orthopedic surgeon.
–Thirty-two years after he left Alabama, Joe Namath is finally getting his degree.The accomplishment allows Namath to make good on his much less-publicized guarantee that he would graduate from college.
–The ChicagoHistoryMuseum paid $100,000 to win an auction for a set of documents, letters, and memos regarding the 1919 Black Sox scandal.The new Black Sox display will be built in the space that was reserved for Mark Prior’s lifetime achievement exhibit.
–The IOC denied Tibet’s application to field a team in the 2008 Olympics.The decision is a tough break for Tibet’s #1 ranked “achieving inner peace” team.
Bobby “My Contract Was In Dog Years” Petrino didn’t exactly leave the Falcons without telling his players. He was kind enough to write them a letter concerning the situation—a letter the Atlanta Journal Constitution had no problems getting their hands on. I’ve done even better. I have Petrino’s original draft of the letter, complete with corrections.
Atlanta Falcons suckers players;
Out of my personal assistant’s my respect for you, I am letting you know, with no testicles a heavy heart, I resigned today as the [insert title of job they’re paying you $25 million to do] Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons. This decision was extremely easy not easy but was made in the best interest of the Arkansas Razorbacks me and my LinkedIn profile family. While my desire would have been to leave immediately after Michael Vick was arrested finish out what has been a difficult season for us all, your unabashed hatred of me circumstances did not allow me to do so. I appreciate you not being indicted your hard work and wish the best for me at Arkansas.
You know that extravagant new football stadium the Cowboys are building that’s going to blow away every single structure built in the history of mankind? The Orlando Magic (and Orlando Predators) are sort of doing the same thing with their new arena. Just take a look at the artist’s rendering. That is one impressive piece of concrete—and the inside is nice too.
The 800,000-square-foot building, scheduled to open in 2010, would feature four restaurants and bars inside, along with restaurants and retail space accessible from the street when there are no games or events…It would have seven levels and four concourses.
But perhaps the biggest difference between the new building and the Amway Arena would be the exterior. Where the current arena has an exterior made mostly of concrete, the new design incorporates a 20,000-square-foot, glass-front entryway facing Church Street and a 151-foot glass tower facing Interstate 4.
Yep, there’s nothing quite like standing at the top of a 151 ft. tower in a $480 million building and taking in the scenic view of Interstate 4. That’s what the Orlandan dream is all about.
