It Would Have Been EnoughThe Giants lost what I call a “dayenu” game. Had they tackled Brent Celek, that would have been enough. Had they not tackled Brent Celek but they recovered the onside kick, that would have been enough. You see where I am going with this. There were about 10 things the Giants could have done in the game to hold on for the victory. If they hadn’t done 9 of them, but did 1, it would have been enough – at least to force overtime. Instead the Giants go down to an embarrassing, crushing defeat. Now their division hopes are likely gone, and their chances at a playoff berth likely depend on them beating the Packers this week.
The Frozen Tundra Does in Brett FavreBrett Favre has turned into Rasputin, you can’t kill the guy. Just when we thought he was finished (with his starts streak over why would be bother coming back for a losing team?) he pulled one over on all of us and started Monday night’s game against the Bears. He even threw a touchdown pass. But when his head got slammed to the frozen turf he got concussed. A sad image for one of the game’s greats. His last time on a football field and he’s laying face down.
Now It’s ConfirmedWe always thought Devin Hester was the best kick returner to ever play in the NFL, now we know for sure. His 14th career kick return (combined kickoffs and punts) is a new NFL record. And amazingly he almost did it earlier that same quarter when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 79 yards to the 6, just moments after Mike Tirico suggested he could break the record. Some were worried that his escalation to full-time wide receiver would sacrifice his time and effort as a kick returner. In his first two NFL seasons, Hester had 20 pass receptions (2 TDs), and 11 kick return touchdowns. In the next two seasons he had 108 receptions (6 TDs) and zero return TDs. This year his pass-catching numbers are down slightly, to 30 (3 TDs) but he has 3 punt returns for touchdowns.
Hopefully We’ll Never See Donovan McNabb in a Redskins Uniform AgainLet me start by saying I am not thrilled with the prospect of turning over the future of the Washington Redskins to Rex Grossman. But I consider it a win if Donovan McNabb is never under center again. The McNabb experiment was a nice try, but it failed. I have no idea why they extended him. It seems pretty clear the decision-makers on the contract and on the starting QB at game time, are different people, with vastly different goals, purposes and opinions on McNabb’s play. Mike Shanahan obviously sees what the rest of us see – McNabb is bad and getting worse. Grossman threw 4 TDs, almost leading a very stirring comeback against the Cowboys. It seems like he will get the chance to play in the last two games, as will 3rd stringer John Beck, who will be promoted to backup in another slap in McNabb’s face. I don’t think the long-term solution is on the team right now. It seems the Redskins will have to hit rock bottom, draft a QB high in the first round and build around him. Until then a parade of big names and big contracts (at all positions, not just QB) will continue to lead to this once proud franchise’s continued demise.
Not a Bad Debut I have often used this space to conjecture that
Tim Tebow will not be a good NFL quarterback, not even a serviceable one. In fact, he’ll be so bad he won’t even be a consistent NFL starter at any point in his career. In our poll after the draft, half of you suggested he’ll be a starter at QB for 4 NFL seasons. He’s got one so far, and even though he can’t throw (8 for 16 for 138 yards) he can run (8 for 78, including a 40-yard touchdown). If he follows the Michael Vick model (without the personal growth stemming from a prison term) he might have something, though I don’t think he is that fast, or has that strong of a throwing arm. I think he’ll probably start the final two games of the season then get relegated to the bench again when the Broncos bring in a new coach.
If the NFC Championship Game Were Played TodayThe Eagles would go into Atlanta with Michael Vick at quarterback. That would be a great storyline and the way these two teams are playing right now I give it at least a 50/50 shot at happening.
