Sports Redemption. Dr. Rob's Absense

It’s been a while Danger Zone readers. I've been distracted with certain things this week (social life, ladies, high school football, and work). First I’d like to make a shout out to my old HS Football team, the Rockbridge County Wildcats who are having a great season thus far. Keep it up guys. I almost can forget the winless season….ahem.

Beer in the Clubhouse?

Regardless, first off I’d like to address Joe Torre looking into the Red Sox as well as the 12 other teams that allow drinking in clubhouses. First off I want to point out, we, as viewers get to see what happens in clubhouses during baseball games, and by the 5th inning the average American is asleep in his recliner. The fact is, sports celebrations consist of champagne (unless Josh Hamilton is on your team). Regardless, the idea of banning beer in the clubhouse is definitely a stretch, unless it means that Melky Cabrera goes to A-A (never gonna happen). Look, these guys are pitchers; they pitch maybe once, sometimes twice a week. They have days off where they are nice enough to spend with their teams, it would be one thing if Jon Lackey was in the bullpen polishing off a quick game of Edward 40 hands with Buster Posey, but let’s be honest. What goes on behind closed doors is never seen by viewers. I personally believe its unfair to even imagine banning alcohol in the clubhouse. Until we have a situation that involves an intoxicated player, this is an untouchable subject, and if Torre even tip-toes the line of banning beer in clubhouses, I demand Pete Rose get his lifetime ban lifted, because trading one ridiculous thing, for another is only fair.

Occupy Stern Street

Second, I’ve been watching this Occupy Wall Street nonsense, and it’s given me an idea. Despite Brian Gumble’s idea that somehow David Stern is trying to become a modern day plantation owner, actually can someone get Gumble a text book so he can fact check himself into seeing that slaves never got multi-year multi-million dollar contracts. Terrible analogy. If Hank Williams Jr. can compare Obama to Hitler, but Gumble can call Stern a racist in such a sense…Oh never mind I hate mainstream media.

Regardless, why not have a March on David Stern’s office. I want my NBA. I want to see Kobe go for 40, I want to see Dwayne Wade break ankles and have a vicious dunk. I want to see LeBron choke during a big game. Basketball is my favorite sport, and if I don’t see them dribble up and down the court. I will be quite displeased. Greed is a helluva drug.

Tebow: Good or Product of Playing the Dolphins?

Did anyone see Tim Tebow’s start at Miami? During Gator appreciation day, which I’m pretty sure would have jumpstarted anyone’s career, Tebow kind of reopened the idea of a ‘Football Closer’ I want to erase any previous judgments and whatnot’s you have of Tebow for just a moment. We have something in the NFL called ‘3rd Down Running Backs’ such as veteran L.T. for the Jets, Danny Woodhead for the Pats, and Toby Garhart for the Vikings. These are guys that are usually ‘clutch’ in situations, have speed to get out, can run the ball, and catch. I’m not saying these teams don’t have backs that aren’t already good. But look at it, we bring in situation players. So look at it this way, if trailing in the 4th quarter isn’t a situation, then what is. The fact is Tebow isn’t Manning, or Brady, or well Josh Freeman (how many comebacks does that guy have.) but what he showed in Miami has opened the doors to a quiet idea in the NFL. The idea of a Closer. Tebow showed up, and showed why he has talent; the kid has a knack for winning, and his rushing TD. An Audible. He’s a smart, talented, charismatic kid. Maybe he can’t go all 3 quarters, but when it boils down to it. If under center, or shotgun if that kid is winning games in the 4th quarter. What more can you ask for? Needless to say it was against the winless Miami Dolphins (I hope Mercury Jones is crying, I really hate that guy). Regardless, Football Closer just some food for thought.

Player Awards Thus Far

MVP

Can you give the MVP to anyone other than Aaron Rodgers, it seems I can’t watch a Green Bay game, or highlights without someone on ESPN saying, “If you’re a kid wanting to be a Quarterback, watch Rodgers play. He’s playing prototype football.” The fact is, I watched the Green Bay-Minnesota game today, and it looked like Aaron Rodgers was playing Madden 12 on Rookie Difficulty. No hate on the Vikings, because Adrian Peterson is my twin brother, but A-Rodg went 7-7 on an 8 play drive, and each pass completion was to a different receiver. Did your jaw drop yet? No? Alright Nerds let’s look at the stats 17 TD’s to 3 interceptions? How about 2037 yards to week 6? Or, averaging 339.5 yards per game? In the 3 games he threw an interception, he followed up by passing 3+td’s. This guy is playing out of his mind, Favre never had a season like this, Favre was a gunslinger, Rodgers is picking defenses apart with ease. He’s leading the league in passer rating, which I’m sure is just a mathematical magic trick. Rodgers went 24-30 against the Vikings for 3TD’s no INT, and 335 yards. Again Bonkers I say. Give this kid the MVP already.


Defensive Player
My defensive player of the year, is the Vikings Jared Allen. The Rodeo had 2 sacks against the Packers bringing his total on the year to 11.5, Allen is playing out of his mind right now, being one of the lone sparks on a struggling team. I’ve said it a lot in some of my talks with people on how good Jared Allen is, but he’s on pace to break the single season record. Let’s just hope by the time Jay Cutler has to meet the Vikings again, that Allen is healthy and the Bears O-line is still holding a grudge for Cutler not picking up their dinner ticket. (Completely realistic assumption)



Rookie of the Year
If I said anyone other than Cam Newton I deserve to be dragged into the streets and beaten with a stick. This kid in 6 of 7 games has thrown for over 100 yards, and 1,847 passing yards, 207 rushing yards, with 13 total TD’s. The kid is a game changer, and a breath of fresh air for Carolina fans. Right now he’s not winning many games, but the kid is rolling in stats, and is revitalizing Steve Smith’s career. He’s going to put people in seats, and with the right kind of growth, not only as a player, but if the team keeps drafting smart (particular on defense, maybe get him another WR option) Cam Newton has a bright future. He can make any throw, he is athletic as they come, and Tebow needs to drink some of the Newton Gatorade.

Flacco's Performance on MNF

Joe Flacco: The product of a great defense, or the product of poor offensive coaching?
It’s simple to say that the Baltimore Ravens have one of the best defenses in NFL history, anchored by veteran Ray Lewis roaming the middle like a monster. I remember flashing back to a few weeks ago when Terrell Suggs was on ESPN First take, and talked about how much faith they put into Joe “Cool” Flacco. Bringing in one of the best slot receivers in Anquan Bolden, and this year acquiring former Buffalo Bill Lee Evans who has been a stand out on a poor team his entire career. Yet I sit back and wonder why Flacco isn’t a premiere quarterback? He has the weapons from receivers, to a great offensive line, and a great running back in Ray Rice. Yet, I look at his mediocre performances; he never really has a standout game. We can relate him a lot to Mark Sanchez in the sense that a good defense has bailed a QB out of situations, and given them a lot of success. Sanchez has 2 AFL championship appearances under his belt with only being in the league 3 years now.

Joe Cool has thrown for 3,000+ yards twice in his 3 years (obviously not counting this year), he hasn’t thrown more than 12 interceptions in a season, and has 20+ TDs twice (same year as his 3000+ yard seasons.) So I wonder if maybe Flacco is just a bit…mediocre for the hype he receives, the fact is he has the weapons that a lot of QBs could drool over (imagine what Phillip Rivers could do in this situation…) I really enjoy Joe Flacco, I think he is a great QB, but if we look at it…maybe the Ravens need to take a hard look at the way the Steelers do. Run the ball, play great defense, and when you go to, trust your QB’s arm. The fact is I think Harbaugh is trying to MAKE Flacco an elite QB and is having mixed results thus far. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ravens bring in T.O. after letting Veteran Derrick Mason go, Owens despite his locker room problems, would have a lot of ‘issues’ with his mouth when Ray Lewis is in the locker room. I think Owens would be a great fit in Baltimore, plus it gives Joe Cool another target who still has some talent left in him to squeeze out.

I’m keeping my eye on Joe Flacco, and as much as I want to be sold on him. It’s so damn hard to be.

• Speaking of T.O. here are my top 5 teams to sign him.

1. Ravens. Flacco gets another target, a savvy vet who showed flashes of a good season last year in Cinci, before blowing his knee out.
2. St. Louis. The fact is, Bradford needs help, he needs talent to get the ball out to. T.O may bring baggage with him, but he’s got talent regardless. A 1 year deal can’t hurt them, can it?
3. Patriots. Bill “The Brain” Bellick. That’s all.
4. Minnesota Vikings* okay, this is more of a I want to see the Ponder to T.O. connection, and the first TD Owens hands the ball to McNabb….
5. Washington Redskins. Shanahan just lost Tim Hightower, and Chris Cooley, with the trade deadline passed, I feel like Ol Mikey Mike will be reaching for anything he can get at this point.


Code Red(Skins)
I just addressed in the T.O. think that Hightower who was doing so well, and standout Chris Cooley the target for many years in Washington have both been placed on the I.R. Shanahan has enough trouble reeling from the McNabb trade, on top of the fact that he has two QB’s that he’s started, that would be a third stringer anywhere else in the league. Once was a bright look to a season, comes crashing down in a few short weeks. Sorry Ned.

Week 5 in Review. Dream Team's Nightmare, Super Tebow, and Raiders Remember.

The Vince Young, christened 'Dream Team' has been living a Nightmare as they fall to 1-4 (0-1 in NFC East). After a devastating loss to the Buffalo Bills, on the wake of 5 turnover performance (Vick throwing 4 Interceptions, and Avant losing a Fumble). Vick had called last week, for a 'Gut Check' for his team, leaving Andy Reid and his coaching staff to sit back, and apparently hope for the best. Vick may have turned in one of the more foul performances of his career, the problem has rested on the arms of the defense. Giving up a 4th Qtr lead to 49ers, and then losing to a beatable Giants team.

Problems, in my belief, rest in the idea of the 'Wide 9' defensive scheme that newly instated Juan Castillo (the former Offensive Line Coach for the Eagles). At first, the idea of using our newly acquired Jason Babin, and Cullen Jenkins, paired up with Trent Cole, and Mike Patterson, having the ends going full force, and resuming a hard amount of pressure on the interior. However, as years past the weakness lies in the LB's being weaker, the Wide 9 opens up holes, especially in Zone Running schemes. Rookie LB Casey Matthews playing on the weak side, Fokou playing on the strong side, and Jamar Chaney roaming around the middle. Mostly, the underutilized of huge free agent acquisition of Nmandi Asomugha, putting him on TE in certain coverages, or leaving him in zones. (Note: In the past, Tight Ends were the weak point in the Eagle's defense). However, as a whole the defense seems to lose focus on the 4th qtr, and has trouble tackling throughout the entire game. Now at 1-4, heading to Washington against the huge surprise, division leading Washington Redskins. Vick and the Dream Team, look rebound and go to 1-1 in the Division.

Remember, the Seahawks got into the playoffs at 8-8. Anything's possible.




Tim Tebow gave Merrill Hoge a little something to choke on this weekend, Vs. The San Diego Chargers. Tebow had drawn a lot of attention, becoming a huge fan favorite in the Denver area, to the point where fans were chanting for Tebow, even wanting to put billboards up to get him the starter job. But Tebow wanted it on his own merit, and showed a great amount of brilliance against the Chargers D.

After replacing Kyle Orton, in the 2nd half, Tebow led a comeback charge, after only scoring 10 points in the first half, Tebow rushed for a TD, and passed for a TD, bringing the score to 29-24. In the last seconds, Tebow scrambled, making time, looking for an open player in the end zone. One game is never enough merit to judge anyone by, nor are college accomplishments. Orton is a veteran, who has a heck of an arm, who hasn't really proven his worth. Tebow, the unproven college star finally has a chance to take the starting reigns of the Broncos and show the world that he was worth the 1st round pick. There are a lot of Tebow haters and doubters. Yet, he has so far proven more useful than Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russell, Akili Smith, or Tim Couch.

Tebow's life could have been easier, without the Bronco's losing star wideout Brandon Marshall under the Josh McDaniel's long era (Sarcasm is fun isn't it?) Yet, Tebow has a lot of heart, and a good amount of talent. So let's see what this Gator can do.


The Oakland Raiders lost the center of their universe Saturday, with the passing of Al Davis. Davis was easily the most involved owner in sports history, he had been at every level of the game, from scout, to assistant coach, head coach, general manager, and was even the Commissioner of the AFL, who made such drastic moves that forced the NFL to buy them out and give us the football league we have today. But nothing was more important to Mr. Davis than his Oakland Raiders. He took a hand in scouting, in drafting players. Each person who has ever worn black and silver, knew their owner, and knew he had brought them here for one purpose. To Win.

Many may have looked at Al Davis, and would have a confused look raise on their brows. However, Davis believed in what he thought was correct, and wouldn't let anyone phase him. He hired the first black head coach in former Raider, Art Shell. He was known from scouting from all black colleges before anyone else. Al Davis wanted a QB who could throw a deep ball, and have receivers fast enough to get under it, which is why he was greatly criticized for putting so much stock in 40-yard dash times.

The day after Al Davis's death, the Raiders took host of the Houston Texans. Missing Andre Johnson, The Texans were having to rely on QB Matt Schaub, and RB Arian Foster. Though despite being beaten in almost every statistical category, The Raiders managed to win one for The Maverick. On the Texan's potential game winning drive, Matt Schaub had led them to the redzone, where it seemed that the emotional victory was just about to be taken away.

Michael Huff begged to differ.

Picking off Schaub's pass in the endzone, Huff sealed the victory for the Oakland Raiders, but more importantly. For his boss, which many of the Raider's players believed hadn't completely left the team in a spiritual sense. The Raiders are now 3-2 for the year, and with heavy hearts and despite that the real nucleus of that team is gone, look for the Raiders to explode and finish this year in the playoffs, and attempting a run at the Superbowl for Al Davis.

"Just Win, Baby."


Monday Night Football: Detroit vs. Chicago

Detroit has started the season off 4-0, behind Matthew Stafford aka "The Infection" and Calvin Johnson Jr. The defensive line, stacked with The Monster, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley who will receive his first start tonight. Jay Cutler, hopes to remove the monicker of most sacked QB in the NFL, but things aren't looking up with Detroit being an overwhelmingly statistically better defense, and Matthew Stafford is outplaying Cutler thus far in the season.

Detroit 27 Chicago 10

Detroit controls the game in all 4 quarters. Cutler gets knocked out like a Mike Tyson opponent in the mid-90's.