Tag: Anthony Stalter (Page 41 of 133)

      Mike Shanahan: See, I told you that Grossman kid can play

      December 19, 2010 /
      ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Rex Grossman of the Washington Redskins during play against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

      Boy, do I have egg on my face. Silly me for thinking Rex Grossman would go out and completely make an ass of himself as Donovan McNabb sits on the sidelines for no reason. Turns out Grossman is super, super awesome.

      All right, so maybe not. But he was good on Sunday in Dallas.

      Grossman completed 25-of-43 passes for 322 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in the Skins’ 33-30 loss to the Cowboys, but he was far from perfect. He put his team behind the 8-ball with a poorly thrown interception in the first quarter and he showed some rust after not playing in a couple years. He was also facing a Dallas secondary that was comprised of three scarecrows and a turned-over bucket, so it probably wasn’t difficult for him to move the ball with regularity.

      That said, nobody can deny that he performed better than McNabb did at any point this season. Considering Grossman threw for four touchdowns with the same group that McNabb has been working with all season, it shows you how bad the former Eagle has struggled this season. The Skins’ 30 points was a season high for them and regardless of who they were playing, it’s impressive that Grossman was the one who led them to their highest scoring output of the year.

      Grossman now gets two more games to prove that he can compete in Mike and Kyle Shanahan’s offense next season. While it’s imperative that the Redskins draft a quarterback for the future, if Grossman continues to play well at least they’ll have a veteran on the roster that’s comfortable running the offense. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Grossman was a disaster over these next two weeks, but kudos to him for rising up on Sunday when everyone thought he would fail miserably. He gave the Skins a chance to win and that’s all Shanahan could ask for.

      External Sports, NFL

      Giants choke, practically hand the NFC East to the Eagles

      December 19, 2010 /
      EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles stands by the huddle against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

      Here are six quick-hit observations from the Eagles’ shocking 38-31 come-from-behind victory over the Giants on Sunday.

      1. This is the biggest choke-job of the season.
      There’s just no other way to put it: the Giants choked. They were up 24-3 at halftime and 31-10 with 8:17 left in the fourth quarter and they still found a way to blow it. After Andy Reid didn’t challenge that DeSean Jackson fumble in the fourth quarter that led to an 8-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Boss, the game should have been over. But one Michael Vick 65-yard touchdown pass, a successful onsides kick, a 35-yard Vick scramble, a couple of Giants’ stalled drives and a 65-yard Jackson punt return later and the Eagles emerged victorious. Absolutely amazing. In a game the Giants had to have if they wanted to keep pace in the NFC East, they blew a 21-point lead in eight minutes. This was the worst collapse of the year given the magnitude of the game.

      2. Why, why, WHY Matt Dodge?
      Seriously, Matt Dodge? Your instructions were to kick the ball out of bounds so you boom a line drive right at Jackson, who is easily one of the most feared return men in the game? What the hell were you thinking? The Giants didn’t solely lose this game because of Dodge’s ho-ho horrendous punt with 14 seconds remaining and for Tom Coughlin’s sake, why didn’t anyone tackle Jackson after he spent a minute kicking the ball around the turf? But what terrible timing to have a brain fart. That kick should have been six rows up in the stands and instead Dodge did the only thing he absolutely couldn’t do, which was send a pea-rocket right at Jackson so that he had a chance to return it. I wouldn’t want to be Dodge in the film room when that play comes on the screen come Monday.

      3. I’m thoroughly convinced coaches have no idea when to use the challenge flag.
      Andy Reid blew it in the fourth quarter by not challenging Jackson’s fumble, which would have allowed the Eagles to keep possession in a crucial point in the game. Jackson coughed up the ball but replays showed that he was touched on the way to the ground, which would have meant the Eagles would have maintained possession…had Reid challenged, that is. But he didn’t, and the Giants wound up scoring a touchdown on their next possession. How many times do we see a head coach challenge a play that he clearly has no business challenging? How many times do we see a head coach challenge the spot of the ball even though everyone and their cousin knows it’s useless (Pete Carroll did this against the Falcons on Sunday and lost and I’m sure there were other coaches who attempted it, too)? But yet, Reid stuffs the red flag in his pocket on a play like Jackson’s. Amazing.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      Colts beat Jaguars, are in control of their playoff destiny

      December 19, 2010 /
      INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts watches his teammates before the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

      Here are six quick-hit observations of the Colts’ huge 34-24 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.

      1. Colts are now in the driver’s seat.
      Congratulations Jaguars, you just put Peyton Manning in control of the Colts’ playoff destiny. With their win on Sunday, Indy needs to win its final two games and the Colts will win thier 97th straight (numbers exact) AFC South crown. Not that beating Manning on his home turf was going to be easy, but the Jags had a golden opportunity to put the Colts away for good and couldn’t do it. Now it’s a footrace from here on out, as the Colts travel to Oakland in Week 16 and Jacksonville hosts the Redskins.

      2. Seriously, Josh Scobee?
      When I think of horrendous onsides kick attempts, I think of Josh Scobee’s feeble try late in the fourth quarter. After the Jaguars had stolen a lot of the momentum back with a touchdown to get within three at 27-24, Scobee dribbled a kick about five yards in front of himself and Tyjuan Hagler returned the gift 41 yards for a touchdown. Recovering an onsides kick is tough enough. It’s even tougher when your kicker rolls one right to a defender so he can return it for an easy touchdown.

      3. Why is Sean Considine still in the league?
      How Sean Considine still has a job after proving he couldn’t start all those years up in Philadelphia is beyond me. The Colts knew the Jaguars’ weakness was the play of their safeties and Manning attacked them early and often. Considine, specifically, had issues with both the run and the pass. The Colts, who usually struggle running the football, rushed for 155 yards against a Jacksonville run defense that had been stout. Donald Brown had a breakout performance, rushing for 129 yards on 14 carries and one score. Of course, he was aided by the fact that Considine’s head didn’t stop spinning from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      Donovan McNabb benched – is he done in Washington?

      December 17, 2010 /

      Donovan McNabb hasn’t played like the second coming of Y.A. Tittle this year, so let’s not act as if he’s the difference between the Redskins finishing this miserable season 3-0 or in a fiery blaze of their own hell. (They’ll probably choose the latter.)

      But for crib’s sake, he’s still light-years better than Rex Grossman, whom Mike Shanahan will start against the Cowboys this Sunday.

      Once again, the Redskins have befuddled the masses. Both McNabb and Shanahan say that McNabb is healthy, yet Grossman received an increased amount of reps this week practice and has been named Sunday’s starter. But why? Because he gives the Redskins their best chance of winning? That can’t be it. Grossman can hold his own when he plays on a team that employs the top ranked defense and a returner that sets his offense up at midfield every possession. But last time I checked, the Redskins had neither of those at their disposal.

      So if McNabb isn’t hurt and Grossman doesn’t give the Skins their best chance of winning, then why start him? The only logical explanation is that they know McNabb won’t be around next year and therefore, are trying to see what they have in Grossman. They signed McNabb to an extension in mid-November but only committed $3.5 million more in guaranteed money so they aren’t tied down to him financially. They could release him and only lose $3.5 million in the process, which is chump change when it comes to a starting quarterback.

      Thus, that must be the reason Grossman is starting on Sunday – because McNabb’s days in Washington are numbered. They have to be, or else why start the human turnover machine? Because McNabb still doesn’t have a feel for Kyle Shanahan’s offense? If he’s going to be a part of the Skins’ long-term future, then both Shanahans would want McNabb to get as much playing time as possible in preparation for the future. They wouldn’t bench him so he could take cues from Rex freaking Grossman.

      Yep, that has to be it. McNabb is done in Washington. No coach in his right mind believes Rex Grossman gives his team its best chance of winning. He may play well for a quarter, a half or even an entire game, but over the course of a season Grossman is not the answer. If Shanahan knows this, then he must also know that McNabb’s time in D.C. is up.

      Update: Rich Campbell reports via his Twitter page that Shanahan has informed McNabb that there’s no guarantee he’ll be brought back in 2011. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also says that, “It’s obvious that Donovan McNabb will not be back in Washington this season.”

      This is a downgrade to the entire Washington offense: Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, Anthony Armstrong…even Ryan Torain, who is going to get even more attention as the Cowboys dare Rex Grossman to air it out. I see Moss and Torain as fringe WR2 and RB2, respectively, while Cooley becomes a fringe TE1 play.

      External Sports, NFL

      Edgar Renteria feels disrespected by the Giants? Please.

      December 17, 2010 /

      Edgar Renteria apparently needs a reality check.

      With his contract set to expire at the end of the year, Renteria turned in an outstanding postseason both offensively and defensively. He won the 2010 World Series MVP trophy and helped the Giants win their first-ever championship in the city of San Francisco.

      Now he feels disrespected.

      The Giants offered him a one-year contract worth $1 million, which he believes is a slap in the face.

      “That offer from the Giants was a lack of respect. A total disrespect,” Renteria told ESPNdeportes.com Thursday from Colombia.

      “To play for a million dollars, I’d rather stay with my private business and share more time with my family,” he said. “Thank God I’m well off financially and my money is well invested.”

      Although his comments above are incredibly smug (One million dollars? Ha! I wouldn’t get out of bed for a million dollars!), Renteria is a class act. He’s a consummate pro, he gives to charity and he’s great teammate according to those who have played with him.

      But is he serious? He has one good postseason and now he wants the Giants to pony up? One million may look like a slap in the face after he helped them win a World Series but let’s keep in mind that the Giants already gave him a two-year, $18.5 million contract in 2008 and he did absolutely nothing until the 2010 postseason. He couldn’t hit, the team was constantly forced to move guys around because he was never healthy and his range at shortstop was a joke. (Hit one to Edgar’s left and consider it a base hit.)

      In 460 at bats in 2009, Renteria hit .250 with five home runs and 48 RBI. In 2010, he played in only 72 games because he was hurt all the time and finished with just three home runs, 22 RBI and 26 runs scored.

      Now he feels disrespected? Come on. Look at those numbers above and keep in mind that he was the third-highest paid player on the Giants’ roster over the past two years behind Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand. He stole money from them for two years before finally putting on a show in the postseason and while the Giants should be grateful for that, they shouldn’t bend over and take it up the rear end from a 35-year-old shortstop who’s on his last legs.

      He’s fortunate he got hot when he did or else he wouldn’t have the right to feel disrespected (not that he does now).

      External Sports, MLB

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑