Call it what you will - drive, determination, perseverance. Some players have it, and some players don't.
Drive:
LaDainian Tomlinson
Though he'll probably never be the back he was in 2006, when he rushed for 1,815 yards and 28 TD, caught three more, and passed for two, Tomlinson continues to be a scoring threat. He may have only rushed for 50 yards against Dallas this week, but his 1st quarter score would give his team the lead early enroute to a 20-17 win. It was his 10th of the year, extending his record streak of double digit TD seasons to 9, having done it in every season he's been in the NFL. The win also gave the Chargers their 16th straight win in December. It's a streak that may not last much longer. His 3.9 yards per carry this season is the lowest of his career, and Darren Sproles has taken many of his receptions out of the backfield. The fact that he's become a little injury-prone over the last few seasons could mean his career is coming to a close, but he should see decent production over the next season or two.
Showing posts with label Michael Vick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Vick. Show all posts
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
NFL Sunday Recap - The Future and The Past
Two games this weekend highlighted the how far some players have come, and how far some still have to go:
Vikings @ Cardinals:
In the battle of the two oldest QBs to ever face each other, you had the amazing play of Brett Favre versus Kurt Warner in his first game back after sitting one out with a concussion. So does Favre and his records win? Or Warner after having an extra week of rest? Well, coming in, it looked like a win for the Vikes. Favre has been playing some of the best football of his career, and had the team at 10-1, one game out of home-field advantage in the playoffs. With Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin on his team, how could he lose? Its December, thats how! Since 2005, Favre has thrown just 13 TDs against 31 picks after December 1st. Unfortunately for him, this game was played on December 6th. His 2 scores against 2 picks in this game wouldn't help the team, but they weren't the only problem. The running game couldn't get things moving either, as Peterson only had 13 carries, and barley averaged a yard per.
Vikings @ Cardinals:
In the battle of the two oldest QBs to ever face each other, you had the amazing play of Brett Favre versus Kurt Warner in his first game back after sitting one out with a concussion. So does Favre and his records win? Or Warner after having an extra week of rest? Well, coming in, it looked like a win for the Vikes. Favre has been playing some of the best football of his career, and had the team at 10-1, one game out of home-field advantage in the playoffs. With Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin on his team, how could he lose? Its December, thats how! Since 2005, Favre has thrown just 13 TDs against 31 picks after December 1st. Unfortunately for him, this game was played on December 6th. His 2 scores against 2 picks in this game wouldn't help the team, but they weren't the only problem. The running game couldn't get things moving either, as Peterson only had 13 carries, and barley averaged a yard per.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday Morning News - 10/1/09
The Philadelphia Phillies have clinched their third straight NL East title. [MLB.com]
The Cleveland Indians have fired their manager, Eric Wedge. Wedge will finish the season and remain with the organization. [Philadelphia Daily News]
NY Met Jose Reyes, who already missed most of this season, will have surgery on a torn hamstring he injured while rehabbing. [NYDN]
Dallas Cowboy Flozell Adams has been fined again. He has been fined $7,500 for attempting to kick Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers on Monday's game and will appeal. [ESPN Dallas]
Michael Vick has reached and endorsement deal with Nike. Nike previously dropped Vick after his conviction on dog fighting charges. [The Huddle]
The NBA officially announced they are banning cell phones, PDAs, and other electronic communications devices for players during games, a period that begins 45 minutes before tip off and ends after the players have fulfilled their post-game obligations, and includes halftime. [ESPN]
Mats Sundin, 38, has announced his retirement from the NHL. [Canada.com]
Magic Number Update: The Detroit Tigers number is at 2. They can clinch by beating the Minnesota Twins tonight. The LA Dodgers and Colorado Rockies numbers are at 1. LA can clinch the NL West with a Colorado loss tonight, and the Rockies can clinch at least the NL Wild Card with a win OR a loss by the Atlanta Braves tonight.
The Cleveland Indians have fired their manager, Eric Wedge. Wedge will finish the season and remain with the organization. [Philadelphia Daily News]
NY Met Jose Reyes, who already missed most of this season, will have surgery on a torn hamstring he injured while rehabbing. [NYDN]
Dallas Cowboy Flozell Adams has been fined again. He has been fined $7,500 for attempting to kick Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers on Monday's game and will appeal. [ESPN Dallas]
Michael Vick has reached and endorsement deal with Nike. Nike previously dropped Vick after his conviction on dog fighting charges. [The Huddle]
The NBA officially announced they are banning cell phones, PDAs, and other electronic communications devices for players during games, a period that begins 45 minutes before tip off and ends after the players have fulfilled their post-game obligations, and includes halftime. [ESPN]
Mats Sundin, 38, has announced his retirement from the NHL. [Canada.com]
Magic Number Update: The Detroit Tigers number is at 2. They can clinch by beating the Minnesota Twins tonight. The LA Dodgers and Colorado Rockies numbers are at 1. LA can clinch the NL West with a Colorado loss tonight, and the Rockies can clinch at least the NL Wild Card with a win OR a loss by the Atlanta Braves tonight.
Monday, September 28, 2009
NFL Sunday Recap - Week 3
They say three's a trend, so now, a look at Week 3 trends:
Trending Good:
Mark Sanchez
Though he hasn't been spectacular, the Jets are getting exactly what they need from Sanchez, every week. He has a touchdown pass in all three games so far this year, and the Jets are off to a 3-0 start. Hes made mistakes, but kept them to a minimum while maximizing on the mistakes of his opponents. He is also the first rookie QB in NFL history to win his first three games.
Kyle Orton
The Denver QB, like Sanchez, hasn't looked spectacular, but hes gotten his team to a 3-0 start, as well. He's played well with his new team, throwing 3 TDs without an interception. He also hasn't been sacked since going down three times in Week 1.
Trending Bad:
Brandon Jacobs
Through three games, Jacobs only has 1 TD, and that was against a Tampa Bay team that looked like Cal did on Saturday. Known for being a bruising back that hits holes and opponents like a freight train, Jacobs has looked a bit timid this year. He has yet to cross 100 yards in a game, and is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry. He also only has 1 TD so far, also against Tampa Bay yesterday.
Brady Quinn
Finally named the starter in Cleveland, big things were expected of Quinn. But Quinn hasn't delivered. He put up a TD in Week 1, but also threw an INT and was sacked five times. Since then, hes hasn't put up any points while throwing two more picks and getting sacked five more times. He was finally pulled at halftime against Baltimore, but Derek Anderson, who didn't do much better.
Ending Trends:
Detroit Lions
Lions win! The streak is over! And now, we wait to see how long Jim Zorn will keep his job.
Terrell Owens
Owens did his best Greg Jennings impression this week, ending his streak of 185 games with a catch. After the game, Owens didn't directly say he was unhappy with the play calling or how he and Lee Evans were used in the offense, but he didn't say he was happy, either:
Rookie Roundup: Using a complex scoring system to rank two major rookies for the season
Mark Sanchez: 17/30, 171 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 3 sacks, 10 rush yards, 1 rush TD, 2 fumbles, 1 lost
Points: 12.55, 42.7 overall
Matthew Stafford: 21/36, 241 yards, 1 TD, 2 sacks, 23 rush yards
Points: 19.35, 20.9 overall
Week 3 Winner: Stafford
What Have We Learned?: Three things we can take away from this weekend
1. Michael Vick will play, but hes being brought along slowly
With Donovan McNabb still out and his two game suspension over, we knew we'd see some of Vick this week. But how much? Answer: Not a whole lot. Though he was in for the Eagles second offensive play, he only totaled a handful of plays. He rushed for 7 yards, and was 0/2 passing. With the game well in hand, Jeff Garcia was brought in for mop-up duty.
2. Tom Brady is improving. He doesn't think his receivers are, though.
Though he was still a bit shaky, Brady is slowly looking better. He was 25/42 for 277 yards and a TD, an obvious improvement from last week against the Jets. But Brady's demeanor still needs some work. He was often angry with his receivers in this game, even blowing up on his way to the sideline after Joey Galloway dropped a pass. Is this a knew Tom Brady, who blames his teammates for his shortcomings? Has Brady learned a thing or two from the pre-Pats Randy Moss?
3. Some people's days may be numbered
Kurt Warner has been inconsistent. Jim Zorn has led his team to a 1-2 start, including a loss to the Lions(!) and some questionable play calling. Byron Leftwich has already been demoted to third string, behind a no-name and a rookie. Keep an eye out for Matt Leinart in Arizona, sooner rather than later, and Jim Zorn on the unemployment lines if they can't get things straightened out quickly.
Trending Good:
Mark Sanchez
Though he hasn't been spectacular, the Jets are getting exactly what they need from Sanchez, every week. He has a touchdown pass in all three games so far this year, and the Jets are off to a 3-0 start. Hes made mistakes, but kept them to a minimum while maximizing on the mistakes of his opponents. He is also the first rookie QB in NFL history to win his first three games.
Kyle Orton
The Denver QB, like Sanchez, hasn't looked spectacular, but hes gotten his team to a 3-0 start, as well. He's played well with his new team, throwing 3 TDs without an interception. He also hasn't been sacked since going down three times in Week 1.
Trending Bad:
Brandon Jacobs
Through three games, Jacobs only has 1 TD, and that was against a Tampa Bay team that looked like Cal did on Saturday. Known for being a bruising back that hits holes and opponents like a freight train, Jacobs has looked a bit timid this year. He has yet to cross 100 yards in a game, and is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry. He also only has 1 TD so far, also against Tampa Bay yesterday.
Brady Quinn
Finally named the starter in Cleveland, big things were expected of Quinn. But Quinn hasn't delivered. He put up a TD in Week 1, but also threw an INT and was sacked five times. Since then, hes hasn't put up any points while throwing two more picks and getting sacked five more times. He was finally pulled at halftime against Baltimore, but Derek Anderson, who didn't do much better.
Ending Trends:
Detroit Lions
Lions win! The streak is over! And now, we wait to see how long Jim Zorn will keep his job.
Terrell Owens
Owens did his best Greg Jennings impression this week, ending his streak of 185 games with a catch. After the game, Owens didn't directly say he was unhappy with the play calling or how he and Lee Evans were used in the offense, but he didn't say he was happy, either:
Rookie Roundup: Using a complex scoring system to rank two major rookies for the season
Mark Sanchez: 17/30, 171 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 3 sacks, 10 rush yards, 1 rush TD, 2 fumbles, 1 lost
Points: 12.55, 42.7 overall
Matthew Stafford: 21/36, 241 yards, 1 TD, 2 sacks, 23 rush yards
Points: 19.35, 20.9 overall
Week 3 Winner: Stafford
What Have We Learned?: Three things we can take away from this weekend
1. Michael Vick will play, but hes being brought along slowly
With Donovan McNabb still out and his two game suspension over, we knew we'd see some of Vick this week. But how much? Answer: Not a whole lot. Though he was in for the Eagles second offensive play, he only totaled a handful of plays. He rushed for 7 yards, and was 0/2 passing. With the game well in hand, Jeff Garcia was brought in for mop-up duty.
2. Tom Brady is improving. He doesn't think his receivers are, though.
Though he was still a bit shaky, Brady is slowly looking better. He was 25/42 for 277 yards and a TD, an obvious improvement from last week against the Jets. But Brady's demeanor still needs some work. He was often angry with his receivers in this game, even blowing up on his way to the sideline after Joey Galloway dropped a pass. Is this a knew Tom Brady, who blames his teammates for his shortcomings? Has Brady learned a thing or two from the pre-Pats Randy Moss?
3. Some people's days may be numbered
Kurt Warner has been inconsistent. Jim Zorn has led his team to a 1-2 start, including a loss to the Lions(!) and some questionable play calling. Byron Leftwich has already been demoted to third string, behind a no-name and a rookie. Keep an eye out for Matt Leinart in Arizona, sooner rather than later, and Jim Zorn on the unemployment lines if they can't get things straightened out quickly.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Vick reinstated, Vikes shopping Jackson?
Michael Vick has been reinstated by Roger Goodell, and will be eligible to play beginning week 3. [Yahoo]
The Minnesota Vikings, apparently expecting Brett Farve to play 16 years for them, too, are reportedly actively shopping Tavares Jackson. [RealGM Football]
The Minnesota Vikings, apparently expecting Brett Farve to play 16 years for them, too, are reportedly actively shopping Tavares Jackson. [RealGM Football]
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