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Simply put, I am a football fanatic. I'm well-informed on the game- its players, statistics, history, rules, etc. I love the sport and I enjoy sharing my point of view.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Browns upset Steelers, turnovers decided the game

The Cleveland Browns hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had beaten the Browns in 16 of the last 17 meetings going into Sunday, and came away the victors 20-14. The story of the game; turnovers. Pittsburgh turned the ball over eight times. Quarterback Charlie Batch threw three interceptions and every Steeler running back coughed up the ball at least once. It was unbelievable. Throughout the course of the game we saw Pittsburgh use running backs Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, and Chris Rainey, all of whom put the ball on the ground. You won't win games that way. My hat's off to the Browns for pulling out the win, this was like their Super Bowl. As for the Steelers, they won't make the playoffs unless their defense steps up and the offense protects the ball.

Friday, November 23, 2012

RG3 shines yet again

Robert Griffin III had yet another stellar performance yesterday throwing four touchdown passes for the second week in a row as the Redskins beat Dallas Cowboys 38-31. Among the five starting rookie signal callers RG3 has played been the most impressive. His killer play action fakes, ability to scramble and throw on the run, intelligence and pre-snap adjustments, accuracy and of course his arm strength. But what's most impressive is his smart decision making; he doesn't turn the ball over very often. He's thrown for 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. The guy is really on a whole other level when compared to his fellow rookie quarterbacks. I said it during the draft and I still say it, RG3 is better than Andrew Luck.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Talib makes immediate impact, Gronk injured

Cornerback Aqib Talib, whom the Patriots acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a measly fourth round pick, was very impressive in his debut yesterday against the Indianapolis Colts. The fifth year player out of Kansas recorded seven tackles, one pass break up, and an interception which he returned 59 yards for a touchdown. And when Colts quarterback Andrew Luck did complete passes to his receivers being covered by the newest Patriot, Talib, was always right there to contest it. Talib really provided a spark for the secondary and that spark ignited into a flame as fellow defensive backs Alfonzo Dennard and Tavon Wilson picked off number one overall pick Andrew Luck; Dennard took his pick all the way. And I think this is just the beginning.

Rob Gronkowski suffered a broken forearm in yesterdays 59-24 rout over the Colts. Reports say that Gronk will miss 4-6 weeks. Fellow Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who missed his sixth game yesterday, was already expected to play in their Thanksgiving clash with their division rival New York Jets and with Gronk out I fully expect Hernandez to play. There's depth at tight end on this roster but Hernandez and Gronkowski are both one of a kind. Gronkowski has freakish size, strength, and athletic ability while Hernandez has phenomenal hands, versatility, athleticism, and the ability to make plays after he catches the ball. Since drafting Hernandez and Gronkowski in 2010 I can't recall a game where they were both inactive; one of them, yes, but not both. Backup tight ends Michael Hoomanawanui, Visanthe Shiancoe, and Daniel fells haven't been used much in the passing game this season making the health of Gronkowski and Hernandez that much more vital. Still, I don't expect this Patriot offense to miss a beat.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

No cursing the officials?

In last night's game Pittsburgh Steeler's offensive lineman Willie Colon was penalized for "cursing an official," the first time I have ever heard of such a penalty. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that the referees are cursed at every Sunday; I've read the lips of coaches voicing their opinions to referees after a penalty and they tee off on those zebras. Players aren't politely telling the refs that they got the call wrong so why penalize Colon? It's an emotional game and tempers are short. That penalty was bogus and I don't expect to it to happen again this season. If refs don't want to be cursed at I suggest working in a church.

Steelers won the game but may have lost something bigger

In the third quarter of last night's Monday Night game between the Steelers and Chiefs, Pittsburgh's quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left the game after being sacked by Chiefs' outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Roethlisberger didn't return to the game but the Steelers were still able to beat Kansas City 16-13 in overtime. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said today that Big Ben suffered a sprained shoulder and is questionable for Sunday's game against their division rival Baltimore Ravens.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Bears defense is best in the league

The Chicago Bears defense may be ranked 6th in the NFL in total defense but in my eyes defenses aren't ranked on how many yards they give up. It's about turnovers and making big plays and that's exactly what the Bears defense does. Through eight games this unit lead by Brian Urlacher and Charles Tillman have recorded 25 sacks (tied for third best in NFL), forced 21 fumbles (league best), intercepted 17 passes (tied for first), and scored eight touchdowns (league best). They're turnover machines! Cornerback Charles Tillman alone has forced a career high seven fumbles and keep in mind we're only half way through the season. With their defense playing like this and the offense playing steady this team looks to be making a Super Bowl run.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Patriots acquire Aqib Talib in trade with Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded corner Aqib Talib and a 2013 seventh round pick to the New England Patriots for the Pats' 2013 fourth round pick. I love this move, I tip my hat to Belichick yet again. At 6'1 205lbs Talib is a big and physical corner and a real ball hawk. Since being drafted by the Bucs in the first round in 2008, he's picked off 18 passes. Just as impressive is that he's broken up 53 passes and could really help this struggling Patriots secondary. Talib is serving a 4-game suspension for substance abuse and will have to miss the Patriots week 10 game against Buffalo, but week 11 against the Colts he'll be on the field. The 26 year old corner has gotten into a lot of trouble but Belichick has a history of getting players with bad reps i.e. Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, Alfonzo Dennard, Albert Haynesworth. And thus far it's worked out more often than not. I believe that this trade isn't only going to benefit the Patriots, it's going to benefit Aqib Talib. The atmosphere in this Patriots organization is going to be good for this guy. Talib is also in a contract year so assuming he wants to make big money next season, we should see him playing with a little extra motivation.