Monday, December 06, 2010

Monday Sports Recap

Finally got to see the Steelers play this week as the game with the Ravens was on Sunday Night Football.  A tense, nail biter that had me up and moving around the room mumbling words I'm-not-suppose-to-be-using under my breath.  Week 13 in the NFL was exciting as always:

Steelers:
  • Let's just start right out with this one:  A hit to the quarterback's head is not allowed anymore in the NFL yet Ravens defensive lineman Haloti Ngata managed to get his hand through the face mask of Ben Roethlisberger, breaking his nose in the process.  Flag?  None.  Coming in and hitting a defenseless quarterback or receiver helmet to helmet is not allowed anymore in the NFL yet Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain did just that sending Pittsburgh's receiver Heath Miller to the sidelines with a concussion.  Flag?  None.  Wanna bet that had Steelers James Harrison done either one of those hits they would have been flagged and he would have been fined?
  • On that same note, I watched Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh's interview with Bob Costas last night where he smugly assured Costas that the rule was very clear, and that all of his players had adjusted quite well and knew what was legal and illegal.  How ya feeling this morning Jim?  Better then Roethlisberger and Miller, I bet.  
  • And continuing on this thread (because it is the topic in the NFL world), ESPN analyst, Trent Dilfer brought up the two hits and said he was quite "frustrated with the league" and "how are these two flags not thrown?"  The NFL has got to get its shit together and fix this if they are serious about this new rule.  Both those hits were illegal.  Two players were seriously injured.  Zero flags were thrown.  Will be interesting to see if any penalties are assessed. 
  • Once again my boy, Troy, stepped up and played some massive defensive, nailing the arm of Raven's quarterback Joe Flacco before he could start his forward motion.  This knocked the ball out of Flacco's hands and allowed Steelers Lamarr Woodley to pick it up and run with it toward the endzone.  Three plays later a touchdown!  Great article here if you are a fan of  Polamalu
  • Kudos to Ben Roethlisberger who played with a broken foot (allegedly) and then a broken nose.  Haven't seen that kind of play from a quarterback since the Bradshaw era.  He was described on ESPN as "tough as nails" and a "warrior".  I wholeheartedly agree.  Say what you want about him, but his performance last night was gritty and gutsy throughout.
Other:
  • I have to say that I'm enjoying listening to ESPN's Trent Dilfer as their NFL anaylst.  He is knowledgeable and to the point, giving fans the lowdown on what has happened on the field.  He can break down the game in minutes and add his take on things.  He also looks great and always knows where the camera is and which way to turn.  He could give Howie Long a run for his money!
  • I said last week I was worried about Indianapolis Colt's quarterback, Peyton Manning, but I never expected him to lose against the Cowboys at home.  I never expected him to continue his Brett Favre interception streak.  Four interceptions last night?  Eleven interceptions in the last three games?  If it were anybody else I would say put a fork in him.  I felt better seeing him joke a tad at himself in the press conference after the game, but he needs to seriously get back to the drawing board or see a sports psychologist for whatever is going on inside his head.
  • Interesting how well Dallas and Minnesota are doing since they chucked their head coaches to the curb, huh?  Washington should take note.
  • For some reason Rex Ryan rubs me the wrong way.  The man is quite funny, but sometimes his humor is that boy-in-the-locker-room-girls-don't-know-anything crap. I truly believe he thinks his team is the best, and that belief has gotten the Jets fired up the last two seasons.  I did enjoy his interview on ESPN's Sports Center where he toned down his persona and made some sense.  I certainly hope he can put one away tonight against the Patroits.
  • The Bucs worked hard, once again falling short, but I have to say Coach Raheem Morris has put the spark back into the team and players.
  • RIP Dandy Don Meredith!

No comments:

Post a Comment