Thoughts and Advice: The Quarterback

It’s official. A couple days after the most watched Super Bowl / TV program of all time the NFL season has concluded. Truthfully, my season took a major hit somewhere around 5pm PST on January 15th 2012. It was then that I watched super Eli torch the Packers the same way he did a few years ago, and I was once again reminded that it’s foolish to be so invested into something you have no control over. Am I masking my pain right now – Yes, probably.

Us Green Bay Packers fans were spoiled last year and by the out-of-nowhere Packers. We were spoiled with Aaron Rodgers nailing the Favre memory coffin and we were spoiled with a near perfect season…. Damn you for being so good then so bad! Who cares, it’s over time to move on and think of the 2012-2013, but truthfully part of me doesn’t want to think about it, I need a break. I can’t take losing any more bets and thinking about what could be… I’m taking a NFL sabbatical.

Before I stop talking about the NFL and put my efforts into more important things like movies, writing, reality TV, the Internet, and contemplating watching Justin Bieber’s movie on Netflix. I would like to give my advice on the most coveted position in the NFL: The Quarterback.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, where your QB goes, the team will follow. The new NFL coddling rules for a QB has made the position more important than ever. Having said that and moving forward I give you the:

Random Thoughts and Advice for the 2012-2013 starting QB’s of the NFL.

Arizona Cardinals - Kevin Kolb: Dude, I hope you stay away from the injuries and moving forward you need to stop thinking about all the hype you had going into the Cardinals season. Smile in your picture next year, you look miserable.

Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan: Change your name to Jack and channel your inner Tom Clancy.

Baltimore Ravens – Joe Flacco: I’ve always though Flacco could be named Flacman and have a legit chance of being a superhero somewhere. Just stay away from Ray Lewis.

Buffalo Bills – Ryan Fitzpatrick: We get it. You went to Harvard and have a massive beard, but the mystique has worn off. Shave that beard already.

Carolina Panther – Cam Newton: Probably one of the best rookies I didn’t watch. Newton is going to be a monster if he can stay healthy and everyone knows it.

Chicago Bears – Jay Cutler: Cutler watch out for Josh McNown… Yeah I’m just kidding. Cutler should start a new reality show with Kristen Cavalari and follow in the footsteps of Khloe and Lamar. HBO presents: (Insert anything here regarding Hard Knocks and Jay Cutler reality)

Cincinnati Bengals – Andy Dalton: Andy Dalton either sounds like a serial killer or everyone’s best friend… which is the trait of a serial killer!

Cleveland Browns – Colt McCoy: In the history of life has there ever been a more Texan name than Colt McCoy? Wait… he was born in New Mexico? But he went to Texas for college? Did he change his name midway through life just to fit in? Mind. Can’t. Compute. It was just meant to be. Last thing I remember is McCoy behind leveled in a game and playing through a concussion. Stay healthy.

Dallas Cowboys – Tony Romo:  I love Tony Romo for a few reasons: 1) He’s from Wisconsin. 2) He still sports starter gear like it’s 1995. 3) He kind of reminds me of Favre. Moving forward Romo needs to find any possible wide receiver that’s out there… Even T.O!

Denver Broncos – Tim Tebow: Will Tebow even be the starter next season? If so, for how long? I love this guy; he made the NFL amazing this year. My advice for Tebow is to ultimately ask himself for advice because he seems to have it all figured out.

Detroit Lions – Matt Stafford: The Staff-infection. Congrats on staying healthy this year, I hope (and dare you) to do it again.

Green Bay Packers – Aaron Rodgers: Bring back the Title Belt victory “dance”! You had the best consistent celebration going until Timothy Tebow started Tebowing… Embrace your celebration! Don’t hide behind the discount double check commercials.

Houston Texans – Matt Schaub errr Matt Lienart errr T.J. Yates: Um seriously who is the starting QB? Can’t Arian Foster just play this position and get it over with?

Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning: Not sure what’s going to happen here. Is it going to be Andrew Luck? Peyton, my advice to you is go ask Eli what to do, he seems to know it all. But seriously, I think Peyton should join the Jets and allow the Mannings to own NY.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Blaine Gabbert: I love Gabbert basically because of his last name. I’ve seen Gabbert playing for a total of 3 minutes this year… and that’s via ESPN highlights.

Miami Dolphins – Chad Henne: Hmmm, don’t know much about Henne, just make room for Matt Flynn.

Minnesota Vikings – Christian Ponder: Remember Donovan McNabb? Remember Brett Favre before McNabb!? Ponder has never looked better.

New England Patriots – Tom Brady: Is Tom Brady going to go down in history as the guy who has a “but he…” on his resume? IE: Tom Brady was maybe the greatest quarterback ever but he always lost to Eli. Or, Tom Brady lost to Eli but he is married to Giselle so whatever.

New Orleans Saints – Drew Brees: Why do I feel like Brees plays for nothing? It seems like he should have come away with so much more this past season.

New York Giants – Eli Manning: In Eli I trust. He’s got a monster head - seriously he still looks like a little kid in that oversized helmet and if he’s anywhere close to the playoffs next year…. Watch out.

New York Jets – Mark Sanchez: I get the feeling that Sanchez is living the life right now but it’s starting to catch up to him. If he doesn’t perform next year I think he’s done. Advice to him: Don’t lose in NY.

Oakland Raiders – Carson Palmer: What are they going to do with the quarterback fiasco in Oakland, and how poorly did this past season play out for The Raiders? Palmer needs to get off the surfboard and start playing; I think next season is his last shot (kind of like Sanchez)

Philadelphia Eagles – Mike Vick: I get the feeling Vick is going to be amazing next year (don’t say a dog joke, don’t say a dog joke) if I were him I would lobby for a wide receiver. Vick is good but he needs someone who’s his prime target.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Ben Roethlisberger: Did Ben really think he was going to beat Tebow in the playoffs? Fortunately Tebow just wiped Ben’s sins away, meaning next year it looks like the Steelers will be back in the Super Bowl with Mike “don’t blink” Tomlin.

San Diego Chargers – Phillip Rivers: Rivers reminds me of a crazy Chucky doll for some reason. This guy needs to just keep yelling at people and I think he’ll be fine.

San Francisco 49ers – Alex Smith: Was this past season a fluke? Will Harbaugh consider taking over for Smith as the QB? I don’t watch many 49ers games but you know what this guy needs to do – run more, he’s deceitfully fast.

Seattle Seahawks – Tavaris Jackson: It took me a minute to remember that Hasselbeck isn’t their QB anymore. Jackson just needs to keep playing into the Pete Carrol’s system and he’ll be fine. I actually find this guy to be underrated.

St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford: Advice to you… hand the ball off as many times as possible.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Freeman: Full discretion – I know nothing about the Bucs.

Tennessee Titans - Matt Hasselbeck:  Matt, you have a few years left… I still love you because you were an amazing back up on the Packers, and I’ll never forget your coin flip fuck up in the playoffs. Advice moving forward: Get out of Tennessee.

Washington Redskins – Rex Grossman: Why do I feel like this is one of the most dysfunctional teams in the NFL? Grossman needs to hand it off.

Words of wisdom from someone who is so irrelevant to a NFL player that it’s not even worth thinking about how far I’d fall on the totem pole. It’s my final assessment and my best chance to close the door on this NFL season only to wait for a key to arrive for next season. I’m genuinely happy for the Giants… it was a great season. Must. Focus. Elsewhere.

 

 

 

RAPID NFL BOX SCORE REACTION

When the Mom comes to visit over the weekend it usually means one thing – I’m not watching much TV. Fortunately it’s early in the NFL season and I’ve yet to become completely attached to this season. I’m just mildly attached. So, as her and I were walking through the Grove in Los Angeles I quickly jumped on a computer at the Apple store. I looked to see the score of the Packers game– it was 3rd quarter and closer than I anticipated. I check the box score and saw that Cam Newton was about to throw for 400 yards again… What the hell was I missing?

Box scores are probably the greatest thing ever. Who cares if your team is winning, I want to know how everyone is doing individually. After I saw Newtons yards I text my friend and asked if he was outplaying Aaron Rodgers, my friend didn’t respond. I actually still don’t know if he was.

This is Cam Newton’s numbers: 28/46, 432 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT’s.
This is Aaron Rodgers’ numbers: 19/30, 308 yards 2 TD’s , No INT’s.

What does this tell me? It says Cam was slinging the football like a running back didn’t exist. I looked at the running back stats – turned out Cam Newton was their leading rusher – Yards and Attempts.

The Box Score tells us this dude doesn’t trust his team. He’s trying to do it all. If he wants to toss the ball 50 times a game and go for 400 yards, be my guest, but there will come a point when Wins will be more impressive. Having said that biased POV from a Packers fan, I think Cam Newton may be the real deal (2 games in to his career).

I looked through the remaining Box Scores and checked out the one thing that stuck out, which basically allowed me to determine the fate of each team. I present to you:

RAPID NFL REACTION BASED OFF OF BOX SCORES:

Jaguars (1-1): 3
Jets (2-0): 32

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT: The Jaguars quarterback Luke McCown was 6/19 for 59 yards and 4 INTs. Apparently they benched him for Blaine Gabbert who threw for 52 yards. Maurice Jones Drew ran the ball 18 times for 88 yards.

The Jets D is very good. They’re the combination of the Ravens from 2001 and the Cowboys from the 90’s. They’re really dysfunctional, entertaining, and good. If they had a Ray Lewis type personality then they may never let anyone score a point again. But then again, this is the Jaguars, and the Jags fans are dreaming about David Gerrard right now.

Seahawks (0-2): 0
Steelers (1-1): 24

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT:
Sure, the Steelers didn’t allow 1 point. Sure, Ben Roethlisberger looks great in his 22/30 298 yard performance. Sure, the Seahawks are still thinking about the Playoffs last season when they somehow won. But the one bright star to all of this is Tarvaris Jackson! Yes, Jackson: 20/29 159 yards passing. It’s weak, yes. But the Steelers D is tough and The Seahawks have a weak offensive line.

The Seahawks may actually win a game this year with the Vikings forever back up.

Cardinals (1-1): 21
Redskins (2-2): 22

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT:
The score itself. The Redskins are 2-0 under Rex Grossman. If you forgot the Grossman predicted the Redskins would win the NFC East this year. Well, so far he’s right.

Also, Larry Fitzgerald had 133 yards, that’s over half of the passing yards from Kevin Kolb (251). He’s got to be the best receiver in the NFL.

Packers (2-0): 30
Panthers (0-2): 23

See above. But one more thing: I don’t think the Packers know who their running back is…yet. However, this isn’t a bad thing – if we’ve forgotten, they won the Superbowl with a depleted backfield last year.

Cowboys (1-1): 27
49ers (1-1): 24

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT:
No, it’s not the 345 yards from Tony Romo, nor is it how bad Frank Gore was (20 rushes, 47 yards). It’s the 3 fumbles from the Cowboys – Romo, Miles Austin, and Felix Jones. Fortunately they didn’t lose the ball… but this could be a problem down the road.

Also, Jon Kitna came in and replaced Romo, he proceeded to throw 2 INTs. I can’t explain why I like Kitna, maybe it’s some sort of pity or because he resembles KANE from the WWE, but it’s not the 90’s anymore and with Romo out, the Cowboys will always lose.

Bengals (1-1): 22
Broncos (1-1): 24

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT:
Easy – Bengals QB Andy Dalton throwing for 332 yards, 2 TD’s and no INTs saying F-U Carson Palmer.

The secondary thing that sticks out: Cedric Benson only rushing for 59 yards on 16 carries… ehhh… not looking good for the Bungles.

Texans (2-0): 23
Dolphins (0-2): 13

ONE THING THT STUCK OUT:
Yo! Reggie Bush! Screw you. You’re on my fantasy football team and you’re more up and down than the stock market - 18 yards rushing and 3 yards receiving? Come on, man.

Right now the Texans have so much hope, and I like that, they’ve been on the “verge” for so long.

Raiders (1-1): 35
Bills (2-0): 38

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT: The Raiders were winning 21-3 at halftime and they lost this game? Are the Bills for real?

Lions (2-0): 48
Chiefs (0-2): 3

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT: Matt Cassel and his 3 INTs. I thought he’d be a little better than this after his Kenny Powers Adidas campaign in the off-season. Looks like the Lions D may be gaining some confidence.

Could the Lions actually be for real? Stafford = healthy, then maybe.

Ravens (1-1): 13
Titans (1-1): 26

ON THING THAT STUCK OUT:
If Matt Hasselbeck throws for over 300 yards on the Ravens D then that’s 100% obvious proof that this defense has officially declined. They’ve been so good for so long this was only a matter of time. But on the flip side they held Chris Johnson for 53 yards. What’s happening?

Flacco looks like he was struggling (against the Titans?) I can’t really get a gauge on either of these teams but my gut says the Titans will slip and the Ravens will be above average.

Browns (1-1): 27
Colts (0-2): 19

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT: Adam Vinatieri’s 4 field goals (39 yards, 27 yards, 52 yards, 36 yards). Peyton Manning must be going nuts.

Buccaneers (1-1): 24
Vikings (0-2): 20

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT: Adrian Peterson had 120 yards, 2 TD’s and they still lost? Man, this could be a long year for the Vikings… and for AP.

Bears (1-1): 13
Saints (1-1): 30

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT: Matt Forte doing double duty with 10 carries for 49 yards and 10 receptions for 117 yards. Apparently Jay Cutler has found his man. Also, the Bears had 4 fumbles (Cutler, Hester, Hurd, Tillman) - they lost 1. That’s either a shaky offense or the Saints D is pretty good.

Brees and the Saints rebounded nicely from last week… they may be very very good. Not to mention they seem to have forgot about Reggie.

Chargers (1-1): 21
Patriots (2-0): 35

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT: The obvious is Tom Brady throwing 3 TDS, no INTs, 423 yards, and spreading the field like mayo to 7 different receivers. Brady… please don’t get injured you’re too fun to watch.

But the story here is Antonio Gates getting 1 ball thrown his way with 0 catches.

Eagles (1-1): 31
Falcons (1-1): 35

ONE THING THAT STUCK OUT:
Matt “Tom Clancy” Ryan shedding the Vickness and tossing 4TD’s.

I actually caught the first half of this late game and when I heard Vick was injured I felt really bad. Watching him scramble is so exciting because of how vulnerable he is. Yesterday he looked a little forced and he was playing a possessed city, I can’t figure out why the fans were booing him. Don’t you think prison was enough?

A general overall take away from these box scores is the ridiculously high QB numbers. The new league is paving the way for records to be shattered and QB’s to run wild. If you don’t know – The NFL now protects their QB’s more than ever to “prevent injury”. But what that means is they want to keep their golden boys on the field for $$$ reasons. A perfect example is Peyton Manning. Who the F cares about the Colts if he’s not on the field? I kind of like this new rule just for excitement purposes.

Should I be scared that the box score is sometimes just as exciting as games themselves? (Words of a Fantasy Football player).