Thoughts On Thursdays: Forfeiting the Game

Good Morning Toughtalkerz…a Superintendent in Warren County Georgia has made a decision to force a school in her district (Warren County High) to forfeit a regional tournament basketball game bringing an end to their season.  Superintendent Carole Jean Carey arrived at this decision because of a incident that occurred during football season.  Warren County and rival school Hancock Central High faced each other and after the game was over, a huge brawl broke out between the two.  This melee gained national media attention (seen here) and was covered by nightly news broadcasts as well as sports talk shows.  The fight left the schools and their districts with shame and ridicule.  But my question to the school, the district and you Superintendent Carey is WHAT ABOUT THE BOYS?  The young men who had absolutely nothing to do with the altercation that occurred (in a entirely different sport by the way).  These young men who worked hard and sacrificed themselves…gave a 100% effort on and off the court…maintained a grade point average to play extra-curricular activities…and were good enough to reach the playoffs…what about them??  The Warren County Boys basketball team assembled outside their school the other day with arms locked in a show of solidarity in protest of the decision that was made.  These boys were just asking someone to give them a voice…to hear their side…well young men I have heard you!!  The decision that was made on your season ending was wrong!!  Their could have and should have been other alternatives to ensure safety…not just forfeiting the game.  If you’re unsure about the crowd that might attend…close the game to the public.  If you don’t want to do that then appeal to the local police station for police officers to provide security… or ask off duty police and fire fighters to volunteer their time to aid with crowd control.  Something could have been done!!  What are we teaching these young men?  Are we showing them that the only solution to an issue is just not deal with it??  We always teach kids that with hard work anything is possible in America…and the only way to win is to participate…and that is true…anywhere else except for Warren County Georgia!!  JUST MY THOUGHTS PEOPLE!!

What Were They Thinking Wednesdays: Rob Gronkowski

Good Morning Toughtalkerz…Super Bowl XLVI was held this past weekend with the New York Giants defeating the New England Patriots 21-17….and with the loss (the Patriots’ second in their last two appearances) you would think that the team, their fans and supporters would be some what deflated…and spirits would be down following such a demoralizing defeat…right?  Well not everyone.  Tight End Rob Gronkowski…WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???  The Pro Bowl Tight End had a high ankle sprain injury that hampered his performance in the game, but it didn’t seem to slow or bother him at the post-game party given by the Patriots.  Mr. Gronkowski can be seen on video (here) dancing to a performance by LMFAO…taking his shirt off and partying the night away.  And I don’t believe there’s anything particularly wrong with that, but Mr. Gronkowski you just lost the biggest and last game of the season not even 3 hours ago….and now you’re partying like it’s 1999…(Shout out to Prince!).  Mr. Gronkowski, you’re 22 years old and with that alone I believe you deserve a pass, but with your Quarterback (Tom Brady) having to be literally dragged from the locker room because of the pain and heartbreak he was experiencing…and your Wide Receiver answering all questions about the pass he dropped and claiming total responsibility for the loss…you were just dancing the night away!  Mr. Gronkowski you should really take a few pointers from your teammates about professionalism…and having a passion for the profession you have chosen.  Because with the post game behavior you displayed it shows that you’re thoroughly lacking in both areas!!….Rob Gronkowski….WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!!!

It’s Monday: Tom Brady

The New England Patriots are on their way to the Super Bowl…again!  And with every season that goes by Tom Brady continues to redefine the position of Quarterback.  And even though he didn’t have a “vintage” Tom Brady type of game in the victory on Sunday over The Baltimore Ravens, his leadership and commitment to his team embodies the player he has been throughout his 12 years in the NFL.  With all of his accomplishments thus far, I believe the biggest representation of his perseverance was displayed on draft night, the year 2000.  Mr. Brady wasn’t chosen until round 6 of the draft…Pick 199 (Which has turned out to be Patriot fans’ favorite number..I’m sure).  And ever since then he has left General Managers across the NFL second guessing and questioning their decision-making capabilities… asking themselves…how could we not see his potential??  Since being named the starting QB of the Patriots the team has appeared in 5 Super bowls (winning 3 of them) and with his heroic performances, Mr. Brady has begun to be mentioned in the pantheon of “Greatest Quarterbacks Who Ever Lived” discussions…along with his childhood idol San Francisco 49ers QB Joe Montana…who are the only players in NFL History to win Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl MVP awards multiple times (2 NFL MVP…2 Superbowl MVP).  And if the Patriots get the victory on February 5, 2012…Tom will join Joe with 4 Superbowl Championships as well!!  So Mr. Brady you are to be commended not only for your stellar play on the field but your hard work ethic that has enabled you to rise from pick 199 to possibly #1.  That’s #1 in the history of quarterbacks…when its all said and done!!!

It’s Monday: The Packers Lost, Dolphins Celebrate

I guess the 1972 Miami Dolphins can break out the champagne and cigars now…the Defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers lost their first game of the season to the Kansas City Chiefs (19-14) on yesterday.  And with that loss the only unbeaten team in league history (regular and post season) can do what they normally do when a team comes close to eclipsing their perfect status.  Rejoice.  But my question would be…what are you guys actually celebrating??  Are you celebrating your accomplishment? (which was great).  Or are you that caught up in hanging on to a record that was set over thirty years ago?  And you think it’s your only validation of who or what you achieved as a team…  I don’t know what it is, but I do know that every time a team comes anywhere close to achieving an undefeated season you summon the “FOOTBALL GODS”, take out your prayer beads and begin to wish defeat on whichever team that may be approaching your record.  The Green Bay Packers are 13-1 and are on the verge of possibly winning back to back National Football League Championships, so I think they have a little more on their mind than you and your perfect record.  So Miami Dolphins enjoy your moment, appear on as many sports-talk radio shows and do as many interviews as you can.  But just remember if the Packers win back to back Championships they would have done something even you, “THE PERFECT DOLPHINS” couldn’t accomplish!!!  And I believe that will suit them just fine…

It’s Monday!: Tim Tebow

Good Morning Toughtalkers……There is something that I have to admit…I was wrong about Tim Tebow.  The Denver Broncos Quarterback once again led his team to a victory on Sunday beating the Minnesota Vikings 35-32, improving his record to 6-1 as a starting QB this season.  And I have to confess…I didn’t see this happening!!  Mr. Tebow has engineered his Broncos on four fourth quarter comebacks in this span and has his team tied for First Place in the AFC West.  A month ago if you would have suggested any of those things would have occurred, I would have called you INSANE (at best)!!  But here we are…and maybe Mr. Tebow loses the rest of his games and flames out as a NFL Quarterback.  Maybe this was just him catching lightning in a bottle, or maybe he is going to go by the way of the wildcat offense that was the craze in the league a few years ago.  I don’t know.  But what I do know is, Mr. Tebow has excelled at every level of football that he has ever played.  So it was a mistake for me to think that his success wouldn’t continue!!…

What Were You Thinking Wednesdays: Ndamukong Suh

Detroit Lions Pro Bowl Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh…WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??  On Thursday of last week, in front of a nationally televised Thanksgiving Day football game between the Detroit Lions and the undefeated defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers…Mr. Suh decided to step on Evan Dietrich-Smith’s right arm using his cleats and was immediately removed from the game (watch here).  Which in turn left the Lions at a tremendous disadvantage at trying to upset the Packers.  And even though most of us didn’t believe that Detroit was going to win the game anyway, Mr. Suh’s actions not only took him off the field that day, but as of now may take him off the field for the next 2 games as well.  On Tuesday The National Football League suspended Ndamukong Suh for his actions and behavior which occurred on Thanksgiving Day.  So with your actions you may have not only ruined your team’s chances to win a game against your division rivals, but you may have also dampened your teams chances of making the playoffs!!  The Lions’ record now sits at 7-4 and with the loss of Suh for their next 2 games, it maybe another season in Detroit without playoff football.  And after such a promising start, that would be a shame.  So Ndamukong, you are one of the most talented defensive players in the NFL and you have nothing but Hall of Fame talent…but if you don’t get your temper and emotions in check, instead of a Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at the end of your stellar career, we will be speaking of the talented man who just couldn’t control himself and wasted so much ability!!!  Ndamukong Suh….WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!!????

It’s Monday: Mike Shanahan???

Is it too soon to question Coach Mike Shanahan?  I asked myself that question on Sunday after another disgraceful game displayed by The Washington Redskins.  The Redskins lost to the previously one-win lowly Miami Dolphins by the final score of 20-9…bringing the seasons record to 3-6.  In the previous 3 or 4 games (hard to keep count), the Redskins have a grand total of 20 points….20 points people!!!  In the National Football League, teams average about 19 points per game (the AVERAGE teams).  Which means the Redskins aren’t even average…THEY’RE THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL!!!  Coach Shanahan’s hiring by owner Daniel Snyder was celebrated in most NFL circles as a Wonderful Hire.  Snyder was commended by most media outlets for taking a step back in his hands-on approach of running the team, and went and hired a coach who was a “FOOTBALL GUY” with the knowledge and “know how” to run not only the team, but the entire football operations.  But did anyone even ask why, if he was such a Football Mind, was he was unemployed when he was hired??  Coach Shanahan was FIRED by The Denver Broncos!!  The owner Pat Bowlen fired his long-time friend.  That should have raised some type of red flag.  I don’t know about the rest of you, but if I have to bring myself to fire a friend, then he must be doing a horrific job and that’s my last resort.  The Redskins have lost their last 5 games and the offense that Coach Shanahan was often labeled a “GENIUS” for his knowledge of… has regressed over the last 5 games…to a level that hasn’t been seen in the league in decades!!  It has gotten so bad that loyal fans are relegated to cheering first downs as if they were celebrating touchdowns…IT’S THAT BAD!!  So to the question that I asked earlier “Is it too soon to question Coach Shanahan?”  The answer is  HECK NO!!  The Washington Redskins Organization has gone through a very rough road the past few years and has endured many sub-par seasons but this might be the lowest of the low.  Somebody needs to start to ask some questions…NOW!  Before this once proud Team and Organization is reduced to nothing more than a punch line to comics or a laughing stock around the league…if its not already TOO LATE!!!

It’s Monday: Rodgers Best QB Ever?…NOT!!

Good Morning Toughtalkers…hope you Guys had a wonderful safe weekend and now its time to reflect and review!  The defending Super Bowl Champions, the Green Bay Packers, improved their record to 8-0 this season with a 45-38 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.  The Packers were lead by Super Bowl MVP Quarterback Aaron Rodgers who had another stellar game, completing 21 of 26 pass attempts totaling 247 yards and 4 Touchdowns (he had one more in-completion then touchdown pass) and with all of the accolades that Mr. Rodgers is receiving (and its well deserved), the national media is embarking on their seasonal quest to compare someone to the GREATS to have played the game…So I guess it’s Mr. Rodgers turn!!!  I have heard the question being bantered around on numerous sports talk shows and national television broadcasts that Aaron Rodgers is playing Quarterback better than anyone who has EVER played the position.  I’ll give you a minute to ponder that statement for a minute……………….ok, time’s up!!  Aaron Rodgers…seriously??  You have to be kidding me!  Now don’t get me wrong, Mr. Rodgers is playing exceptional football and should be commended for doing so…but come on guys…he is playing in an era where you can’t breathe on a receiver, let alone try and cover him.  You can’t come in sniffing range of the QB without being flagged and possibly fined for your actions.  So amassing such gaudy numbers in this era of “TOUCH-FOOTBALL” has to be judged on some type of UN-balanced scale.  It looks like sometimes there playing 7 on 7 drills out there and the quarterbacks are wearing the red jersey (red jersey means they can’t be touched).  So to say that after all of those things I just mentioned that Mr. Rodgers is playing the position better than anyone, that means he is playing better than  Baugh…Unitas…Montana…Marino…and Elway…just to name a few!  Come on people!!!  But this post isn’t so much about downgrading the marvelous talent of Mr. Rodgers, it’s to give some sort of reality check to the rest of you who are reporting and writing on this topic.  Just because it occurred today doesn’t mean the past didn’t happen!

It’s Monday! Skins & Cowboys Fans…You Are What I Thought You Were!

Good Morning Toughtalkers…It’s Monday and the more things change the more they remain the same.  The Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys Fans…your teams are what I thought they were…LOUSY!  I recently posted a blog about your teams and the way you guys are in denial about the depths of your Awfulness….Yes it’s that bad!!!  

The Redskins went to visit our brothers from the north on Sunday when they faced the Buffalo Bills in Toronto, Canada.  The team MUST have left their playbooks and/or players at customs because it was the most unwatchable game of the Washington Redskins that I have witnessed in a very long time.  The starting QB John Beck was sacked 9 times on Sunday (the most sacks of  a Redskins Quarterback in 33 years).  It was Coach Mike Shanahan’s first time in his career that his team wasn’t able to score a single point…which tells you the depth of woes that this team is currently experiencing.  So after the Redskins game there was a buzz in the local bars and on social networks about the game…and who do you ask is starting such chatter?  The fans of the 2nd worst team in the division – the Dallas Cowboys.  These fans actually had the audacity to begin mocking and making fun of the Washington Redskins team and fans about their 23-0 loss to the Bills and how that will never happen to them.  How we all should stay tuned to watch a “REAL TEAM” play when the Cowboys face the Philadelphia Eagles.  Oh, and no way will they ever get behind a team by that much in the final of a game.  And for what it was worth they didn’t get behind a team that much at the end of a game, they did it in a half.  24-0  in the first half.  You guys are really delusional.  Experts say that the definition of insanity is repeating the exact same behavior and expecting a different results…and that’s what Dallas fans are…”INSANE”!  And to make my point even more clearer these “people” had the nerve to still ridicule the Redskins Fans that they actually scored and didn’t get shut out..even though they actually lost by more points than Washington…INSANE…I know…but it explains who they are.  The Washington and Dallas fans are family somewhere, I’m sure of it.  Because you have to have similar DNA to have the same thoughts that you guys share!!  So the next time you guys are at a bar or on a social network or at a game and you see each other you should really treat it as a FAMILY REUNION…Because you are more the same than you are different!!!!!!

It’s Monday: Colts Massacre!

The Indianapolis Colts, you have to be kidding me!  62-7……ARE YOU SERIOUS??  The Colts were dismantled in front of a Nationally Televised audience last night on NBC’s Sunday Night Football’s “game of the week”.  The perpetrator of such a crime were the New Orleans Saints, who are a very good team with an excellent Quarterback in Drew Brees.  But they aren’t THAT good!  I don’t think any team in the modern era of the NFL is that good!!  The Colts seemed so over matched last night, it was like The Saints were playing against a Junior Varsity Division 3 football team.  Colts, this was an embarrassment not only to yourselves, but to the fans of the league…and I will go as far as saying it was a embarrassment to the league itself!  I know the Colts have lost there All-World, First-Ballot, Hall Of Fame Quarterback in Peyton Manning to a neck injury, but that cant be an excuse to why you’re this bad. There was another Hall of Fame Quarterback (Tom Brady) who was injured a few years ago and that team (New England Patriots) rallied around their new starter.  And even though that team didn’t make the playoffs that season, they played hard and I think they finished with a 10-6 record.  So Colts, you have started the season with a 0-7 start…have some pride about yourselves!  You guys are all professionals and should be ashamed to even pick up your paychecks this week!!!  You should donate them to that Division 3 Junior Varsity team that I mentioned earlier.  I believe they would have put up a better effort and showing than you did on Sunday night!!!!