No Helmets Required

Out of a Job

RDG — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 16:00:11 +0000

The Lions were 6-3 earlier this season and were in first in the NFC North. Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler were both missing time giving the Lions a clear shot at the division title. Somehow though, they manage to screw it up and are now out of the playoff picture. Jim Schwartz, he’s out of a job.

With the Giants, Redskins, and Eagles in the division, the Cowboys were the best of a bad division. They had perhaps the easiest schedule in the world and are now fighting for their playoff lives. With Romo out, the Cowboys are likely done for the season. Jason Garrett, he’s out of a job.

Nothing good can be said about Leslie Frazier. The Vikes’ front office gave him a stellar team full of young talent mixed in with established veterans. Frazier decided not to play some his star rookies who turned to be everything the Vikes hoped for. He continued to play prevent defense so whoever they were playing could win in the final minute. Every game Frazier says, “we learned something.” Clearly you haven’t Frazier because you’re out of job.

Week 16 Review

RDG — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 14:53:40 +0000

Adrian Peterson still hasn’t seemed to impress anyone on Dancing with the Stars. Every time Peterson touches the ball, he dances in the backfield waiting for something to open. Meanwhile his backup Toby Gerhart gets about 9 yards per carry and is sitting on the bench. Peterson needs to change professions and Gerhart needs to get the start.

The Steelers barely kept their playoff hopes alive. Actually the Packers saved the Steelers with a false start that ran the clock down to 10 seconds and leaving the Packers with one play. The Steelers can’t be too happy with the win since they tried desperately to lose in the final minutes. The Packers meanwhile can only blame themselves.

Peyton Manning reclaimed his single season touchdown record surpassing his rival Tom Brady. Manning will now set his sights on Brees’ passing yard record, then the Super Bowl. Manning should be aware though, it isn’t often that the record breaking quarterback any year makes it past the Conference title game.

Playoff Picture

RDG — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 16:08:43 +0000

We have one week left in the NFL season, and there are still playoff spots open. Some teams have very strong chances where just one more will put them in the playoffs. Some teams like the Steelers, need a win and a huge miracle to get in. It should be an exciting final week as the playoff seeds are decided.

The first race is the NFC North where the Bears and the Packers are trying lock up the division. Next week they play each other to decide who’s in and who’s out. The Packers barely lost to the Steelers as false start ruined the Pack’s chances. Then the Bears got blown out of the water by the Eagles to keep the race alive. We still don’t know if Rodgers will play next week and we don’t know if the Bears want to change quarterbacks again. I’m picking the Pack to win the North even if Rodgers doesn’t play. The Bears just have a long history of choking every time they get close to the playoffs, and history always repeats itself.

Another race, and the Game of the Week is between Cowboys and the resurgent Eagles. Romo is as streaky as they come and can’t seem to find anyway to win in December. Then there’s Nick Foles who throws like Peyton Manning and Lesean McCoy is probably the best runner in the game right now. This is way too easy, Eagles win while Romo pukes on himself in the clutch again.

For the two Wild Card spots in the NFC, the Saints are the easy pick for one of the spots since they are playing the Bucs. The second spot I believe belongs to the 49ers, simply because the Cards can’t possibly keep getting this lucky.

Then there is the final AFC Wild Card spot. The Dolphins, Ravens, Chargers, and even the Steelers are trying to claim the final spot. It’s easy for the Ravens who just need a win while the Steelers need a win, the other three teams to lose. In other words, the Steelers are out. I’m giving the final spot to the playoffs to the Ravens just because they are playing the Bengals who have nothing left to play for except a slightly better seed.

Bronco Thursday Meltdown

RDG — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 15:20:31 +0000

The Denver Broncos didn’t look anything like a Super Bowl favorite team. The Broncos couldn’t do anything right after the first quarter. It was the first time that Peyton Manning had 3 straight 3 and outs, not only that but they managed to get negative yards. Then the Broncos’ defense would commit any penalty they could think of to keep the Chargers offense on the field. If the Broncos lose in the playoffs, it will be because of their atrocious defense.

The Chargers on the other hand did everything right, mainly on offense. The Chargers did the one thing offensively that could defeat Manning, don’t let him touch the ball. The Chargers’ time of possession was superb compared to the Broncos who couldn’t hold onto the ball to save their lives. Watch out, the Chargers might be a contender this season.

Pats Without Gronk

RDG — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 16:46:10 +0000

At the beginning of the year it appeared that the Patriots were going to struggle to get into the playoffs. Then they got Gronk back and everything appeared to be back to normal. Brady had his favorite target back and they looked as good as any other year they won the Super Bowl. Now the Pats are without Gronk yet again and the Pats are once again in trouble this season.

With Welker and Hernandez gone, Brady didn’t have many targets to choose from. Gronk now being out gets rid of Brady’s favorite Red Zone target leaving him with nothing to throw too. There’s Dopson who either has buttery fingers or can’t figure out where to run too. Then there’s Thompkins who has skills, let’s face it though, anywhere else he’s a number 3 receiver.

The Patriots still have arguably the best quarterback in the game, Tom Brady. Brady still has the potential to lead the Pats back to glory this season even without Gronk. But, Brady barely squeaked by the Broncos with Gronk, next time, it might be different.

Thursday Quarterbacks

RDG — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 16:38:25 +0000

In the battle for the first overall pick in the draft, it was clear both teas lacked a quarterback. There were already questions about the quarterback position for both teams before last night. The game just proved what everyone was thinking, neither team has a franchise quarterback. First was Chad Henne for the Jags who did end getting the win, however it wasn’t really anything he did that made the difference. Sure he did have two touchdown passes in the first half, after that though, he looked like an average back up quarterback. Henne’s main issue was not turnovers, but on 3^rd down plays he throw short of the line first down marker. Not only did Henne throw short of the marker, he would throw short of his receivers forcing them to the ground and unable to run after the catch. If Henne put some more strength in his throws, he may not have played so badly.

Then of course you have the Houston Texans who played two quarterbacks last night. First was Casey Keenum and was anything but impressive. Keenum did have one touchdown pass, and that was really all he did. Then there was Matt Schuab who still can’t tell the difference between his team and the opposing team. Bottom line, both teams need a quarterback.

Tiger Makeover

RDG — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 16:09:31 +0000

The Tigers have been busy this offseason, and it’s not even the Winter Meetings. Within the past 4 weeks, the Tigers having added pitching to their already stellar staff and traded away one of their tops players for a new second basemen. They are desperately trying to get past the final bump to win the World Series after 3 trips to the ALCS with no rings.

With Prince Fielder being traded to the Rangers for Ian Kinsler, the Tigers lost big bat in the middle of their lineup. They still do have Cabrera, but he won his MVPs with Fielder batting behind him. They have also just added Joe Nathan to a bullpen that was in search of a competent closer. Nathan will be a great edition to a pitching staff that was short of a good pen.

So are these moves going to give the Tigers that ring they’ve been seeking? I forgot to mention the most important and significant move or loss, Jim Leyland retiring. Leyland has been perhaps the biggest reason for the Tigers continuing to have success. Can a new face in the clubhouse still bring this team to the promise land? Only time will tell.

Monday Playoff Preview

RDG — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 15:38:42 +0000

We were all excited when we saw that Seattle would host the Saints on Monday Night Football. Now we all are wondering why we were so excited about this game. Drew Brees is still arguably one of the best quarterbacks of all time, but last night Seattle and the 12^th Man prevented Brees from doing anything. Brees couldn’t have played any better as he threw the ball perfectly to his receivers. The problem was that Seattle’s defense was in the right place on every play and were able to break up all of Brees’ passes. For the first time in 300 games, Brees had less than 200 passing yards.
For Seattle, perhaps everything went their way. Offensively they couldn’t be stopped by the Saints new defense, which showed flashes of last year’s dismal performance. The Seahawks were able to score points even without their top running back Marshawn Lynch on the field. At home, the Seahawks are unstoppable and could easily make it to the Super Bowl if they hold onto home field advantage.

New Faces in MN

RDG — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 16:07:46 +0000

The Twins are finally doing something we never expected, build a pitching rotation. In the last week the Twins have two fresh arms in their starting rotation. In the last two seasons, the Twins have managed to hold perhaps the worst starting rotation in the league. I mean seriously Vance Worley as the ace of the staff, give me a break. Still, it’s not like this new staff is that much of an improvement.

The first signing for the Twins was former Dodgers pitcher Ricky Nolasco. Most people are now probably asking, there is another Dodger pitcher other than Clayton Kershaw? The deal is reportedly highest free agency signing in Twins history. Nolasco had a 3.70 ERA last season and he averaged to strikeout 7.4 hitters per 9 innings. We were impressed with Vance Worley’s stats when he signed with the Twins last year though.

The other deal the Twins recently made with former Yankee pitcher Phil Hughes. Hughes had a great 2012 season where he won 16 games for the Yankees. Then last season he came to the realization that he’s not that good and ended up going 4-14. Hughes couldn’t even last as the second starter for the Yankees and the Twins want him that badly?

On paper, these free agency signings may look somewhat good on paper, but let’s be serious. The Twins still don’t have an ace that they have been lacking for years. It might be a step in the right direction, but that’s it a baby step.

Questionable Wide Outs

RDG — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 15:29:53 +0000

This season we have all seen big named receivers have a week or two get nothing. We’ve all seen how Wes Welker will drop a Manning pass and won’t see another target until the next week. Then there’s others like AJ Green who don’t even get targeted it seems some weeks. For many of us it is the end of the regular season and for some we need this week to get into the playoffs. It’s a big week to decide whether or not these big named receivers should be on the bench or in the lineup.

Wes Welker start

One of these weeks we have to expect Wes Welker to have a killer week and score 2 TDs. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, since Welker has greasier fingers than a McDonalds fry cook. The Broncos can’t even trust Welker to return punts anymore. Welker will have to redeem himself at some point and what better time than against the league’s best defense? Start Welker simply because he is due.

AJ Green bench

It’s like Green is playing poorly, it’s just that he’s as unnoticed as Jordon Cameron. Every week Dalton looks everywhere but Green’s direction making it impossible for him to get any points. Just last week Green was only targeted 5 times, even Megatron can’t get that many points from just 5 targets. Expect all the same this week, as long as the Bengals are winning, Green won’t see the ball.

Vincent Jackson bench

Jackson has no one throwing to him, he has had a recent week of domination, and he now faces one of the top defenses. Those three reasons make it obvious that Jackson does you better if he is on your bench. If Jackson had at least an average quarterback throwing to him, then I would consider starting him.