Category: NFL (Page 100 of 1282)

      It’s hardly surprising that Vick is struggling under the weight of high expectations

      September 26, 2011 /
      Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick holds his broken hand on the bench during fourth quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadephia on September 25, 2011. New York defeated Philadelphia 29-16. UPI/John Anderson

      Injuries, sloppy play, and failed expectations: Gee, where have I seen this Michael Vick before?

      It’s natural that when things are going well for a person that they’re often viewed as untouchable. Conversely, when things start to unravel, frustration sets in and problems become magnified.

      Now multiple both of those sentences by about 50 when it comes to Vick.

      When everything is right in his world, he’s “revolutionizing the quarterback position” or putting up “video game numbers.” He’s unbelievable. One-of-a-kind. A $100 million quarterback. He’s sick. He’s Mike Vick.

      Everyone bought into the same hype surrounding Vick on draft day in 2001 that they did last year when he started to light up the league again. But someone please explain to me what has actually changed besides his uniform color, because I don’t see much.

      Remember when the media couldn’t stop putting a microphone in front of his face last year? Oh, how the public ate it up. He was a changed man. A more mature man and a more mature player. It was going to be different in Philadelphia because quite frankly, he and everyone said it was.

      But what happened? He led the Eagles to the playoffs only to come up just short in the end. Then again, he did just enough to have a lot of people believing he and the Eagles were destined for big things in 2011. Super Bowl-type things.

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      External Sports, NFL

      Sunday Evening Quick-Hitters: Reactions from Week 3 in the NFL

      September 25, 2011 /

      Every Sunday evening throughout the 2011 NFL season I’ll compile quick-hit reactions from the day that was in football. I vow to always overreact, side with sensationalism over rationalism, and draw conclusions based on small sample sizes instead of cold, hard facts. It’s the only way I know how to write…

      DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING…

      New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) chases Buffalo Bills cornerback Drayton Florence, as he runs an interception in for a touchdown, in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Orchard Park, New York September 25, 2011. REUTERS/Doug Benz (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      – Raise your hand if you had the Bills sitting atop the AFC East standings alone after Week 3. I can hear someone right now: “Actually, I did call the Bills being 3-0.” LIAR! Nobody had the Bills at 3-0 because that would mean they would have had to beat the Patriots at home in Week 3 and pfff, like that was going to happen. Well, it did happen. Not unlike last Sunday against the Raiders, the Bill spotted the Patriots a 21-0 lead and then proceeded to storm back, intercepting Tom Brady four times as Ryan Fitzpatrick led the comeback of all comebacks. And what a great decision by Chan Gailey at the end. He knew with the score tied 31-31 and the Bills well within field goal range that he could bleed the clock, kick the field goal and leave Brady with no time to respond. Outstanding coaching move. Outstanding game. Outstanding win.

      – I definitely thought the Giants would keep things closer than the 9-points that Vegas gave them heading into Philly, but wow. Didn’t see an outright win coming. With most of his receivers out due to various injuries, Eli Manning had one of the better games of his career. You really have to hand it to the Giants, who were playing on a short week and who have been banged up all year. Instead of lying down like many expected, they took the fight to the Eagles’ front doorsteps and then delivered a knockout in the fourth quarter. I don’t care if Michael Vick stays in this game or not: The Eagles weren’t winning it.

      – What do you mean Cam Newton didn’t throw for 400 yards? See, total bust. Just like everyone predicted…

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      External Sports, NFL

      Fade Material: NFL Week 3 Predictions

      September 25, 2011 /
      New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play to the offense while warming up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on September 18, 2011. UPI/Matthew Healey

      Brutal, brutal, brutal – as in, my picks last Sunday were brutal. This column lived up to its name, as all four of my picks were true “fade material.” The Colts and Chiefs were blown out, while the Eagles lost outright and the Redskins failed to cover the 4-point spread against the Cardinals. OUTSTANDING.

      Hopefully you have enough time to play these losers today…

      Patriots @ Bills, 1:00PM ET
      I think the feel-good story that has been the Buffalo Bills will suffer a setback today when the Patriots come to town. Buffalo’s offense has been highly entertaining to this point but this isn’t a very good defense that Tom Brady will have the opportunity to shred today at Ralph Wilson. The Pats are 7-0 against the spread in their last seven trips to Buffalo and 7-2 ATS in their last nine games against the Bills. The road team in his series is also 5-0 against the number in the last five meetings.
      THE PICK: PATRIOTS –7

      Jets @ Raiders, 4:05PM ET
      The Jets just spent two weeks at home and now have to travel cross-country to play an Oakland team that’s better than everyone realizes. I think the Raiders could win this game outright, as Mark Sanchez is due to have one of “those” games where he throws for about 105 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns. The Raiders are 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 games as an underdog and 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the AFC.
      THE PICK: RAIDERS +3.5

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      External Sports, NFL

      Favre’s back! (Not really.)

      September 23, 2011 /
      Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) hoists receiver Greg Jennings after Favre threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to set an NFL record for career touchdown passes at 421 during the first quarter of their National Football League game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, in this file photo taken September 30, 2007. For the first time in 19 seasons Favre failed to report for work on December 13, 2010, ending one of the most remarkable ironman streaks in all of sport. Picture taken September 30, 2007. REUTERS/Bob Cerny/Files (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      Brett Favre is returning to football. Sort of. He has agreed to provide color commentary for the Southern Miss/Rice game on October 1st.

      “I’m excited to be back at Southern Miss with the Golden Eagles,” Favre said in a press release. “I’m not committing to a new career in broadcasting, but just wanted to support Southern Miss and check out the view from the press box. It should be fun and I hope the fans enjoy it.”

      Favre, who started at quarterback for Southern Miss from 1987-1990, set several passing records at the school despite being recruited as a defensive back out of high school.

      Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. If anything, this would indicate that Favre isn’t planning a comeback for at least a few weeks.

      I think we can all rest easy and assume that Favre is done playing football. It would be interesting to hear him call a game, however. I wonder if they’ll get Jenn Sterger as the sideline reporter…

      External Sports, NFL

      2011 NFL Week 3 Primer

      September 22, 2011 /
      Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) leaves the field after running into one of his teammates in the second half during their NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, Georgia, September 18, 2011. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      Giants @ Eagles, 1:00PM ET
      You have to love that after all of the media reports dedicated to how Michael Vick is this mature, changed person that when walking to the locker room following his injury against the Falcons on Sunday night, he points to the scoreboard in response to heckling fans. He’s changed all right. Now instead of using his middle finger to diss Falcon fans, he uses his index. Get well soon, Mike.

      Patriots @ Bills, 1:00PM ET
      I’m sure the sentiment for most people heading into this game is that the Bills will “come crashing down to earth” after the Patriots get done with them. But I have a different take: I think this game is going to be fun as hell. Buffalo showed in the first two weeks that it has more than enough offensive weapons to be dangerous and obviously New England can score. This could be a 52-52 game about midway through the fourth quarter.

      Texans @ Saints, 1:00PM ET
      Sean Payton hasn’t quite mastered how to best utilize Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas in the same backfield, but once he does the Saints could revert back to their ’09 form when they blew teams out on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, Arian Foster once again looks doubtful to play and fantasy owners that drafted him with their top pick are starting to realize that yes, his hamstring is going to be a major problem early on.

      Jaguars @ Panthers, 1:00PM ET
      It’ll be the Rookie Quarterback Bowl in Carolina this Sunday when Blaine Gabbert makes his first professional start against Cam Newton, who has already thrown for over 800 yards in his first two games. Maybe if he stops throwing the ball to the other team he’ll pick up a win to go along with all of those fancy yards.

      49ers @ Bengals, 1:00PM ET
      Cincinnati receiver Jerome Simpson and offensive tackle Anthony Collins were detained by police late Wednesday when authorities investigated a package filled with 2.5 pounds of marijuana delivered to Simpson’s house while both players were present. Neither player was arrested but it’s great to see that the Bengals are already in mid-season form when it comes to obeying the law.

      Dolphins @ Browns, 1:00PM ET
      Just what every head coach on the hot seat needs: a three-game road trip following an 0-2 start. In three weeks if the Dolphins are 0-5, you can bet that Tony Sparano won’t be on the sidelines when Miami hosts its next home game (vs. Denver on October 23). And no, I mean literally bet on Sparano being canned: theSpread has his odds of being let go listed at 3/1.

      Lions @ Vikings, 1:00PM ET
      Let’s sum up Donovan McNabb’s career. Booed on draft day. Has appeared in 967 playoff games and one Super Bowl but has no ring. Had to put up with T.O. and a slew of media members and fellow athletes bashing him at every turn. Benched for Rex Grossman… possibly will be benched for Christian Ponder. I feel sorry for McNabb and I don’t mean that in a condescending way. I actually feel bad for the guy. Ah, well: Lions 56, Vikings 3.

      Broncos @ Titans, 1:00PM ET
      If there’s one game I don’t care if I see a down of this weekend, this would be it. I apologize to Denver and Tennessee fans but this matchup is the epitome of boring. But hey, go get ‘em Kyle Orton and Matt Hasselbeck. You do your thing. I’ll be over here watching Giants-Eagles, Texans-Saints or hell, even Jaguars-Panthers. Just anything but Broncos-Titans on a nice fall Sunday afternoon.

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      External Sports, NFL

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