Upon Further Review

OK, I’ll admit it. Jon Gruden brings up a good point about challenging interference calls – or rather non calls.

His reasoning is a bit off in that he is talking about “important” playoff caliber games but the point is worthy of consideration non the less.

Currently only plays involving the ball (including whether or not a player is down) and possession can be challenged – not player contact.  However, if a replay shows clear interference (especially when the play is in the end zone) and it was not called, should it be eligible for review.  Yes, we get the benefit of instant reply, Tivo, and of games viewed on network TV, but ever body  at the game usually get to see a reply on the stadium big screen.  So if a receiver is clearly interfered with and no call is made, should the play be eligible for challenge and review?

Then, of course, the one of the follow up questions could be . . . “why limit it to just interference calls?”

What about hits on the QB and non roughing the passer calls, or blatant holding, or what if you disagree with the penalty and want it reversed?  All of this runs the risk of snowballing out of control and ruining the game.

Is the bigger question to this “how do we even out officiating calls throughout the game and season?”

Is the answer better training?

A better and expanded use of the technology at hand?

Is the answer more of an officiating one?  As in more officials or different placement of officials on the field?

What do you think?

 

200,000 People Played Hooky From Work Tuesday

What happens when 200,000 people decide to play hooky and attend the Baltimore Ravens Victory Parade and Celebration?

Well, for one thing: In a city with a population of 600K, the unemployment rate rises significantly.

The national guard is called out.

Traffic is blocked

Security Breaches Occur

People do crazy things

And division rival fans come out to enjoy the festivities – and – apply a little perspective.

As much as I despise the Steelers, this last one is my favorite.

 

Jacoby Jones’ Kick Return Worth $600K In Free Furniture

Gardiners Furniture, of Baltimore, offered customers free furniture if the Raven returned either opening half kickoff for a TD.

If such a kick return happened, all furniture bought between Jan. 31 and 3 p.m. on game day would be refunded for free.

Such a return had not happened in fifty years, so they thought it was a pretty safe promotion.

And then Jones opened the second half with a 108-yard kick return.

No Worries:

Just after the history return, the store posted on its Facebook page: “That was amazing! Furniture is FREE! If you made a purchase this weekend, it’s your lucky day. Go Ravens!”

Even though the odds were in their favor, the store management took out on insurance policy to cover – just in case.

We Have Something Nobody Else Does

Yes, I realize the Redskins – mostly thanks to Dan Snyder – have been the butt of the NFL for years, but we have something nobody else does; and that my friends is RG3.

This is probably one of the best video spots I’ve seen in a long time.

HTTR !

NFL and Fantasy Football Thoughts – Week 1

Rex and the Jets lose the Circus Label

 

Are the Jets really that good and is Rex really that smart to have duped us all with their pre-season performance – or lack thereof?

 

 

 

 

Have the Redskins started the next QB-ing MEME?  Griffining!

Griffining !!!

 

I take my hat off to Mike and Kyle Shanahan!  

They game planned around Robert Griffin and his talents. 

The result was a stunning win and performance by the whole team. 

They should get the game ball this week. 

 

 

 

 

It seems even the Democrat Party and Bill Clinton want to catch some of that Kevin Ogletree popularity. 

His fantasy stock ownership has risen from a paltry .4% to well over 21% in less than one week!

 

• Guess I should have picked AP over CJ in the draft.  Sorry I doubted your recovery time dude.
• All the experts were putting McFadden right up there with the rest of the best.  OK, well not quite the best, but still a lot higher than he should have been.  There are a lot of really upset McFadden owners out there today.
• Tampa learned how to tackle!
• Miami still Sucks!
• Matt Forte is still pissed.

Oh and speaking of hate and discontent. 

• With lots of Fantasy Leagues (including mine) with bonuses kicking in at 300 yds per game for QB’s . . . Flacco’s Stats: 21/29 for 299 yards.  Seriously dude, you couldn’t get 1 more yard?  Really!  Sheesh.

Who Are The Baltimore Rice?

Hey , even the best of us make typos . . .

Of course they will probably fix it real quick, so here is the quick snapshot

Will The Patriots Challenge The Ravens?

My son wants a Super Brothers Bowl featuring the Baltimore Ravens.  This means he see them defeating the Patriots this weekend and then playing the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.  As you saw with my last post, I am going in a slightly different direction.

I actually like the offensive weapons the Patriots have and respect their consistent tradition of winning.    Trouble is, I’ve never really liked them all that much.

Truth is, despite the fact I was born and raised in Maryland, I never really liked Baltimore all that much either.

I think it has something to do with the fact that I grew up during the Redskin heydays and I’ve been hooked ever since.  Now that I am across the river in Virginia, Baltimore is that ‘other team’.  I guess it is similar to any metropolitan area that has a body of water separating teams and cities.  It is a rivalry or mutual hate society between the two teams.

However, my loyalties to the Maryland DC area are stronger than those to anything that the frigid cold of New England has to offer.

So, sorry that is just the way it is.  No in depth analysis of players, stats or coaches.  Just biased personal opinions.

I’m picking the Ravens to win.

 

Baltimore Ravens 27

New England Patriots 20

 

Which means an East Coast Super Bowl prediction from me.

(Yes, I know the Patriots are on the east coast and are even in the AFC East.  They shouldn’t  be.  In fact somebody please explain how Baltimore is in a North division?  So, I hereby propose realignment.  Any team located above the Mason Dixon Line should be in a North Division.  Any team below the line, South.)

OK 😉

 

So who do you think is right?  Who would you rather see win?

My Son who wants a Super Brothers Bowl (49ers vs Ravens)

Or

Me who wants an East Coast Super Bowl (Giants vs Ravens)

Should have known

I believe in aliens

And I believe that when they come and visit they “inhabit” one of us.

Trouble is, I can’t decide if, when they “inhabit” somebody, that person becomes irrational or incredible smart. And when they leave that body the person reverts back to the other condition.

This is the only way I can explain Dan Snyder’s behavior over the past 6 months.

Either an alien left Dan Snyder, or one came for a visit.

Either way, I say THANK YOU!

Over the past 6 months, he has not only hired two great football minds to run the Redskins organization, but he is actually stepping back, at least out of the spot light, and allowing them to do so.

And these two minds, Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan, are showing remarkable poise and reason in this crazy free agency market.

Maybe they are all aliens?

But so far they have cleaned house of players who a couple years from now will be either past their prime and/or too old and expensive to keep on the roster.

They have placed agency tags on those they need to have while setting a price tag not too high so as not to scare away any and all potential offers.

Case in point, Jason Campbell. They tendered an offer of 3.1 million dollars and a first round pick. A worthy salary for a decent QB, which should keep him happy, yet at the same time just low enough to say, hey, maybe we might negotiate for the right opportunity.

Oh, and speaking of QB’s and opportunities, and organizations I am beginning to like more and more.

The Baltimore Ravens and Joe Flacco just got a whole lot better with a good bold move acquiring Anquan Boldin. This too is an organization which is really really smart with the draft and free agency. They tend to be able to find the gems in the draft, know which key players to acquire and keep, while not loosing sight on their goals and sanity.

So far, I am actually liking and enjoying this free agency period and still look forward to the upcoming draft.

Running Wild

So by now you all know that there was only one really good and exciting close NFL playoff game on this weekend and it was truly great.

Watching the Cardinals win an offensive shoot out on a defensive play in OT was truly a sight to behold.

In my opinion, there was one other good game on and that was the Baltimore Ravens running over the New England Patriots. It was not even close but I loved it none the less.

Apparently some Baltimore Raven Fans thought it equally exciting and decided to celebrate by running through an electric fence.

Dogs may be mans best friend, but some just happen to be a bit smarter than their owners too!

Enjoy!

HA! a special update…

It seems I made Sports Illustrated Extra Mustard Hot Clicks. Yes it was a shameless attempt at self promotion but hey, I made it on their site. Even though I am all the way at the bottom of the post. But, I really don’t mind being on the bottom…

Check it out…