Tag Archives: Tebowing

by | December 12, 2011 · 9:02 am

Monday Morning Jerkface: Week 14

Week 14 has came and went (once again I’m discarding the Monday night game) and I can’t help but think that we don’t know all that much more about the National Football League than we did on Sunday morning.  That doesn’t mean I don’t have plenty of things to say!

If you look close, you can see Tebow forcing the fumble

TEEEEEEEEEEEBOOOOOOOOOOOW TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!

Yeah, it happened again.

I will admit I have softened my stance on Tim Tebow.  Originally I had said that he will never be successful NFL quarterback and I think that might have been too rash.  Despite my stance that John Elway is perhaps the most overrated athlete of all time, he was a talented QB and his recent endorsement of Tim and pledge to work with him in the offseason is encouraging for the former Heisman award winner’s development.  I would be a fool to say that Tebow is not getting better, but once again I remind everyone to pump their collective breaks.

You can’t consistently play bad for three quarters and expect a perfect storm to bail you out.  In this case that perfect storm just happened to be Marion Barber having a complete meltdown, and two field goals of over 50 yards by Matt Prater.  If you didn’t see the game, Marion Barber went out of bounds for no reason with under two minutes left when the Bears were trying to hold onto the lead.  If he wouldn’t have done that?  Tebow would have been left with 20 seconds, no timeouts, and long field to go.  Just think about that for a second.  If one of their opponents would not have made a rare and almost unforgiveable mistake the Broncos would not have won this football game.  Instead he had around a minute and was able to maneuver his team in position for a 59 yard field goal attempt.  And then in overtime, with his team in field goal range, Barber fumbled.  Tim Tebow, as he has done for the last few months (and to his credit), took advantage.

As I watched the game I couldn’t help but laugh aloud because it was obvious that a lot of these factors would be ignored by a certain percentage of the population.  In the big picture the Broncos are in first place and with the Raiders loss in Lambeau field they don’t seem to be losing that spot any time soon.

Like him or hate him, it is fascinating television.

Sweet Divisional Champs T-shirt, Bro

The Houston Texans continue to fly under the radar and win games.

If they make a deep run in the playoffs this year, which is becoming more and more possible, you might be able to look back at this game as one of the big reasons.  Everyone knew that T.J. Yates was better than your average NFL third string QB, but to see him throw for 300 yards and lead a dramatic fourth quarter comeback without Andre Johnson has to make the team feel a lot better about their prospects than they previously did.  Did we see a QB change from a game manager to a game changer?  Maybe, maybe not.  Only time will tell.  Originally it seemed that Jim Harbaugh was going to be a runaway for coach of the year, but how can you ignore the job that Gary Kubiak has done despite an avalanche of key injuries?

The Patriots, Steelers, and Ravens are getting most of the AFC hype because of their past accomplishments, but the Texans have played as consistent as any team in the conference right now.

Whistlegate?

Alright, so this is weird.

Late in the Saints win in Tennessee a few of the Titans’ offensive line claimed that the Saints were blowing a whistle on the sidelines during their offensive possessions as a distraction.  Apparently the producer of the “Titans All Access” television show has evidence on tape.

With all the cameras and technology inside of a stadium each week, I have a hard time believing that a team would think they would get away with something like this.  But on the other hand, people are stupid so we’ll see!  Jake Locker was reported as adding, “Maybe they were whistling at me.  Cause I’m sexy as shit.”

It’s entirely possible that Jake Locker didn’t actually say that.

Dan Bailey is sad

What a weird seven day stretch for the Dallas kicker.

After being accidentally iced by his own coach the week earlier, he once again put through a clutch late game field goal only to have a last second timeout by Tom Coughlin nullify the kick.  After the timeout his second kick was blocked and the Giants had their season saved in Dallas on Sunday night.  This was the most hyped game of the weekend and it did not disappoint, producing several lead changes and plenty of points.

You have to wonder at this point if the media beating the “Dallas sucks in December” drum is starting to become a self fulfilling prophecy.  For the most part Romo is not to blame for this one.  He played quite well throughout, but he will certainly be irrationally beaten up in the press about a chance to ice the game with a throw to Miles Austin late that he wishes he could have back.  It sailed over Austin’s head and the crowd became quiet, as if they already knew what was going to happen.  To make things worse for Dallas their sensational running back DeMarco Murray appears to be lost for the season with a broken ankle.

Can’t wait for everyone to tell me that Manning is elite again today!  Yawn.

Other Stuff

-I’m Tebowing for Greg Jennings health today.  Won’t you join me?  Late in the Packers route over Oakland, the star wide receiver left the game with what is being called a knee sprain.  Injuries seem to be the only thing that can stop the Packers season.  We will know more after an MRI today.

-Rob Gronkowski now owns the NFL single season tight end TD record with 14.  We’re still trying to track down the footage of Bill Belichick creating him in a lab out of scrap metal, a jungle cat, and several young tight ends that disappeared after being asked to try out for the Patriots.

-Speaking of the Patriots, anyone see the spat on the sidelines between Brady and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien?  If it would have been DeSean Jackson the NFL network might have a three hour special on it today, instead it’s just a footnote.

-The 49ers stumbled on Sunday inArizona, now making it more and more likely that they might not get a first round bye.  I say this because they still have to play the Steelers yet this year and the Saints know that the longer they can go in the playoffs without going outdoors the better their chances are.

-Don’t look now but the JETS would be in the playoffs if the season stopped today.  How do they keep doing this?

-Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith was taken off the team plane on Sunday night with chest pains.  All tests were negative and he will be on the sidelines Thursday night.

If you like games between cellar dwelling NFC West franchises, and who doesn’t, then Monday Night Football is right up your alley!  Enjoy Rams/Seahaws.

 

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by | October 31, 2011 · 8:59 am

Monday Morning Jerkface: Week 8

With the Green Bay Packers, a team widely agreed upon as the best in the league, on their bye week it was a chance for a few teams to audition for number 2, or maybe even 1A.

They failed.

On the AFC side the New England Patriots came to Pittsburgh, a place they’ve had a lot of success over the years, and they looked like they had never seen a blitz before.  My personal belief is they were psyched out by Antonio Brown’s horrifying touchdown dance that might haunt me for the rest of my days.  I think the defense held up fairly well all things considered (and by all things, I mean they’re bad) but Tom Brady never had a rhythm.  By the time they got it going it was too late.  Chad Ochocinco is still a non-factor, and apparently is struggling “mightily” to pick up the offense.  What does it say about his football acumen if everyone else that comes into this organization seems to be able to step in and fit in almost immediately?  They sure could have used a few explosive plays from him yesterday.  In the Dallas game a few weeks ago he had seven snaps.  Seven!  Belichick, a unique motivator, could perhaps convince the scoreboard operators to display Chad’s stat line prominently for the entire game.

In the NFC, the Saints just plain shit the bed.  Then they got up and shit on the couch, and in the dining room.  Coming off of their 62 point outburst against the Colts it seemed that maybe this team was ready to settle into elite status and string some wins together.  Then they were more or less dominated by an abysmal Rams team.  No need to talk about this too much, as Nate is still in mourning. 

Still not sold

The second best team could be the Ravens or Steelers, but they have each laid a few eggs that I have a hard time forgetting, and I’d like to reserve judgment until they play each other next week.  There’s always the Lions but until further evidence is presented, they are still the Lions.  The 49ers only have one loss, but do you trust Alex Smith in a big game?  Me either.  I’m having a hard time trusting any of these teams, and an equally hard time writing them off.  Every time it seems like a team is left for dead (The Chiefs, Jets, Falcons, Eagles, etc) they suddenly look great.  This makes it frustrating for me, because as we all know bloggers like nothing more than overreacting and dramatically condemning teams!  But honestly, deciding who the second best team in football right now isn’t important.  It’s just something people like me talk about on Monday mornings.

Speaking of Detroit, Tony Scheffler was trending on twitter for a few minutes yesterday.  The reason?  After scoring a touchdown in Denver he started to go into a “Tebowing” pose, and then to top it off he and teammate Calvin Johnson did the Mile High Salute.  I really enjoy mockery being incorporated into touchdown celebrations.  Either the team you like is doing the mocking which is always fun, or they are being mocked which makes the next touchdown that they score even more satisfying.  By the time Dallas put some points on the board against the Eagles last night the game was already out of hand, but had they gotten into the end zone early I’m sure we all would have enjoyed it if Dez Bryant pretended to electrocute or drown a pound puppy!  No?  Oh, okay.

There have been a lot of 50+ yard field goals this season, and even the ones in the mid to high forties don’t seem to be an issue for a lot of kickers.  The NFL loves touchdowns and hates field goals, so with all the rule changes that have elevated scores over the years, will this ever be addressed?  I hope no one in the competition committee ever starts kicking around the idea that kicking has gotten too easy.  Its already one of the most thankless and stressful jobs in sports, and I wouldn’t want any of these guys to go nuts Ray Finkle style.  But not every kicker is making it look easy.  In fact if I were Olindo Mare I’d probably avoid Cam Newton this week.

Nothing brings out my inner jerk like bad announcing.  Here are a few instances from yesterday where I was audibly groaning:

-Matt Schaub steps back in the pocket and scans the defense for a bit, its to the point you can literally see him going through his progressions.  He then takes off for the rushing touchdown when no one is open.  Marv Albert calls it a designed QB draw.   Brilliant.

-John Lynch on Tim Tebow: “This is my analysis, and not a lot of people may agree, but I just think the kid has got a ton of heart but questionable mechanics may ultimately hinder his career.”  I like how he prefaces the quote with the appearance of controversy, and then literally repeats what 497 announcers have been squawking at all of us for weeks.

-Near the end of the Steelers/Patriots game, an odd play happened.  After a Tom Brady fumble Troy Polamalu intentionally punched the ball into New England’s end zone which lead to a safety.  This should have been a penalty, but the referees missed it.  Jim Nantz thinks this should be reviewed.  Phil Simms has to repeatedly explain to his colleague that you cannot challenge penalties and all they are reviewing is whether it’s a safety or a touchdown.  Jim never seemed to really understand the concept.

-So that mean Simms knows his stuff, right?  Haha, no.  Moments later Phil is blown away by how New England is lining up for their onside kick.  The kicker, my goodness, he’s going to punt this thing!  He acts like this is some seriously revolutionary shit.  Perhaps as an NFL announcer or player he had never seen a safety before.  Because the rules clearly state that you can’t use a tee to kickoff after this occurs.

-Watching NFL Network postgame coverage, doesn’t it just sound like Steve Mariucci is trying way too hard to be the NFL’s version of Dick Vitale?  Or does he take an adrenaline shot to the heart before every broadcast?

Oh, and just in case you didn’t stay up late enough to see this bit of insanity, Andy Reid was 2 for 2 in challenges last night.  Insert apocalypse joke here!  And then put something in the comments section.

Posted by Ben Van Iten

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