Monday, December 17, 2012

Monday morning sports recap - Week #15

Steelers:  What can I say that hasn't been said in this blog before?  This team is lacking heart and fire and determination.  We have no leadership, no one to run up and down the sidelines screaming, "Let's get fired up!"  Since Hines Ward left this team is blah.  I could write about all the dropped passes, penalties, and sacks that Roethlisberger took, but as I said I've already written about it all season.  I hope this team can regroup and come back next year, but I hoped that last year too.
  • Interception - In overtime Roethlisberger was intercepted by Dallas' Brandon Cole on a pass intended for Mike Wallace.  What did Wallace do?  He stood there.  Stood there while Cole fell, got up, and proceeded to run toward the end zone.  Worst move, or in this case no movement, ever.
  • Gave it away - Tony Romo's head is easy to climb into and fluster.  He is the interception throwing quarterback of the league.  All the Steelers defense had to do was get into his head.  All the offense had to do was put some points on the board.  The Ravens and the Colts lost their earlier games.  This was the easiest game ever against a team that is mediocre.  No heart.
  • Same sound bites - Every losing game the players interviewed say the same thing.  This one hurts.  This one stings.  We will have to go back and look at the films.  We will recover.  Blah, blah, blah.  Only way is to prove it and so far that hasn't happened.  I don't believe anything that comes out of anyone of these guys' mouths at the moment.  I want to see anger.  I want to see some heart.  I want to see something that says they are mad, mad, mad at getting their ass kicked by teams like the Raiders, the Chargers, the Browns, and the Cowboys.
Other:
  • Denver Broncos - Thank goodness this game was televised (for awhile at least) for me to enjoy a well played offensive and defensive game where the good guys came out and kicked ass.  The Baltimore Ravens were given an ass whupping yesterday by Peyton Manning and the Denver defense.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed seeing it.  Then CBS decided it was a boring game and left it to bring me the Houston/Indianapolis game, which turned out to be great because the Colts lost paving the way for the Steelers in the wildcard race.  The only thing my team had to do was win.  Pfft.
  • Belichick call on 4th down - The Patriots coach went for it on 4th and 1 while down by 7 to the San Francisco 49ers and the media and fans went nuts when they failed.  "He shouldn't have done that" cries are all over the net, social media, and television.  I say, "Pfft."  Good for Belichick.  Is this football or what?  This man has Tom Brady as his quarterback and 9 times out of 10 he is going to convert on that play.  Gotta take some chances.  It didn't work this time, but how many other times has it or will it work?  Won't know unless you try it.
  • Bucs sideline shoving match - Other than it being two guys frustrated at the situation and needing some physical and emotional outlet, I thought the whole thing over exposed.  One of the coaches of the Bucs, Bryan Cox shouted at the referee after a Josh Freeman interception.   Linebacker Adam Hayward tried to calm him down by pushing him back on to the sideline.  Cox, busy with his berating of the official, sort of brushed Hayward like a gnat.  Hayward pushed a tad harder and then harder still.  It did the job because Cox suddenly noticed him, pushed him, and then got in his face and told him to stop the nonsense and remember his place (okay, I don't really know what was said, but I'm guessing).  The whole thing was blown out of proportion by the media. 
  • Josh Brent - I do not agree with the Cowboys decision to allow Brent on the sidelines with the team on Sunday.  He is out on bail for a DUI manslaughter charge for killing his friend and teammate Jerry Brown.  Yes, I believe in forgiveness.  Yes, I believe the man is hurting and needs support from his friends and teammates.  But the NFL has a new policy on conduct and Brent certainly has broken that rule, and to allow him on the field was an in the face moment for all those other players who haven't been allowed on the field.  The New Orleans Saints coach can't even be anywhere near the stadium, his office, or his team.  Ben Roethlisberger was shut out of the Steelers facility and games for more than six weeks.  Once again the NFL has shown it's wishy washy side.  I thought it was disrespectful, especially when the cameras caught Brent laughing.  Look, I think it wonderful that Brown's family has forgiven the man, but this isn't Brent's first DUI and he broke the NFL code.  Like the others before him, he should have been at home watching the game on his television.
  • Indiana Hoosiers go down - The number one team lost in overtime to the other Indiana team, the Butler Bulldogs 88-86.  I'm one of those firm believers that going undefeated isn't always the best thing so I think this will just make the Hoosiers better, if not hungrier.
  • Lakers - They aren't winning and everyone who thinks they know sports wants to weigh in on the problem.  Who cares?

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