REDSKINS SELECT RG III AND 'THE CUZ'

No surprises with the first and second overall picks of the2012 NFL Draft, but what was curious (or predictably dumfounding, depending on your perspective), was that Dan Snyder and the Washington Redskins selected a second quarterback mid-way through the draft. 

The pick of Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins in the fourth round on Saturday, while the Redskins were celebrating the edition of Robert Griffin III at a draft party at FedEx Field, had the talking heads scratching.

Mike Shanahan offered up an explanation, indicating that Cousins was essentially taken as an insurance policy.  I don’t know about you, but I thought that insurance policy was named ‘John Beck’, or possibly ‘Rex Grossman’.  Whatever the case, you’ve got to wonder how “The Cuz” will take being drafted specifically for that role.  No doubt he was anticipating being selected by a team that was looking for an eventual or immediate starter

As a point of record, the last time a team selected two quarterbacks in the first four rounds was Green Bay in 1989.  That was a little more understanding then, since both quarterbacks were essentially of the same pedigree, and taken in the third and fourth rounds. Incidentally, Green Bay’s number one selection that year was football God Tony Mandarich, from Kirk Cousins alma mater; Michigan State.

In terms of the Indianapolis Colts and their first overall pick of the draft, it was a little ironic that they also had the distinction of picking the very last player in 2012.  Mr. Irrelevant, pick number 253, was quarterback Chandler Harnish of Northern Illinois.

GOING BROKE GOING GREEN

GOING BROKE GOING GREEN by JackFact

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HALL OF FAME QUARTERBACK; DONOVAN MCNABB

Donovan McNabb, the former Eagle, Redskin and Viking, was spouting off recently about the Hall of Fame, and his place in it.

"I played at the pinnacle, I played at the highest level of my career.  I played there.  And I would vote myself for the Hall of Fame."

He also went on record, stating;

"When you sit and look at the numbers - and that's what it is when it comes to the Hall of Fame - my numbers are better than Jim Kelly, better than Troy Aikman, better than a lot of guys who are in the Hall of Fame...  

...but the one thing they do have is a Super Bowl."

Well actually Mr McNabb, the Hall of Fame elections are in fact, not entirely based on numbers.  There are many examples, and much has been written ad nauseum about some of the other factors which are considered by the voters and the committee.  Surely the half-wit McNabb has read or at least appreciated the sentiment.  Still, right or wrong, good or bad, a lot has to do with an overall perception of a player throughout his career.  When it comes to the position of quarterback, leadership qualities, whether real or perceived by the professional armchair quarterback, also factor into the equation of many writers.  You, my friend, were perceived by many to have a real "Leon" syndrome**, and we all know about puking in the huddle throughout your career.  True, you made it to several NFC Championship games, and who can forget that clutch drive you pulled off in Super Bowl XXXIX vs the Patriots.  The one where Terrell Owens and a few of your teammates explained the inexplicable lack of urgency in that career defining drive.

Hall of Fame? Yeah, right...

**The beer commercial featuring "Leon" being interviewed in the locker room after a loss.

NFL 2012 SCHEDULE RELEASED

The NFL has announced its 2012 schedule today, with Peyton Manning scheduled to make his return to football against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first Sunday night game of the season.

Teams getting the most national exposure this year are the;  Broncos, Giants, Steelers, Chargers, Packers, Bears, 49ers, and Eagles with 5 games apiece. The Jets play in nationally televised games four times, including Thanksgiving Day.

In terms of the J-E-T-S, it will be interesting to see whether it will be Sanchez or Tebow at the helm, especially since those games occur later in the season.

LAST DAY FOR SEAN PAYTON AS SAINT'S HEAD COACH

The NFL suspension of Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints starts this Monday,  for the bounty program that apparently occurred during the period from 2009 until 2011.

It is being reported by CBS and elsewhere that the league, as part of the penalty, is expecting Payton to avoid the New Orleans Saints and to avoid "operational communication" during the course of the suspension. 


Notwithstanding, I bet if you asked Coach Payton, members of the New Orleans Saints organization, or it's fan base, if winning the Super Bowl hinged on whatever advantages the alleged 'bounty program' provided, would they have condoned the Payton's actions, I'm sure they'd all agree that it was worth it.  Dat's how they seem to roll daghn dare.


Here is a link to the original article:

BIG BEN TO HIT THE SCOTTISH-IRISH LINKS IN WHIRLWIND TOUR

Natalie Gulbis and Ben Roethlisberger 

Ben Roethlisberger will be traveling to Scotland and Ireland this summer where he will play something on the order of 12 courses in 10 days.  I don't golf, but I've been to St. Andrews which is the one of several courses Big Ben will be playing.  Personally I'd prefer to go on a Ireland-Scottland bar crawl, but I'm just a regular joe.

“Golf is such a mental challenge, and as frustrating as it can be sometimes, it can definitely make you stronger,"

Not sure why this story from Yahoo Sports caught my attention.  I guess I'm wondering if Ben is going to the UK to recharge his batteries after getting Tebow'd, still grieving the retirement of Hines Ward, or fighting off urges to go slumming after the shine and glimmer of his marriage and honeymoon is over.  Could it be that he plans on playing golf courses the world over in order run into another Natalie Gulbis on the links?  There were some photos of Big Ben and Tiger Woods that I remember seeing when the Tiger Woods scandal broke.  Maybe there is some kinda connection there.  Who knows, just wishing him the best of luck. I'm sure he'll have a good time.  

A NEW THREE STOOGES MOVIES, REALLY?

This is probably old news to most, but it is news to me, and in my humble estimation just another sign that the apocalypse is upon us. Apparently 20th Century Fox is releasing a new Three Stooges movie on April 13th.  


I was flipping through the channels after getting home from work and caught the trailer for this Three Stooges movie titled, "The Three Stooges".


The storyline, according to IMDb states:

"Left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by nuns, newborns Moe, Larry and Curly grow up finger-poking, nyuk-nyuk-nyuking and woo-woo-wooing their way to uncharted levels of knuckleheaded misadventure. Now their childhood home may have to close due to financial difficulties. But Larry, Curly and Moe, employed as the foster home's inept maintenance men, are determined to come to the rescue. Only The Three Stooges could become embroiled in an oddball murder plot - while stumbling into starring roles in a phenomenally successful TV reality show."

This movie will undoubtedly pale in comparison to the original productions, but the trailer was better than I would have expected.  At the very least, it will hopefully introduce a new generation to the slapstick mastery of Moe, Larry and Curly.

THE NEW NFL UNIFORMS FROM NIKE

NIKE revealed the new NFL uniforms today.  After a cursory look through the offerings, I was glad to see that most teams remained the same, noted that a few made minor modifications, and relieved that only the Seattle Seahawks bought into the marketing motivated transformation.  Maybe I'm just getting old, but It seems every year we manage to chip away at bits and pieces of the tradition, or the things that made the game great.  For me, the morphing of what used to be a basic jersey into some 80's glam rock roller derby outfit is a bit too much.

The other day I was hoping that the "leaked" photos on April 1'st was merely an April Fool's joke, but I guess not.  

One can only hope that the makeover ordered by Paul Allen (Microsoft) for his Seattle Seahawks doesn't ignite a larger trend.  For the love of the football Gods, somebody call in the fashion police, or revive Art Donovan long enough from whatever beer and baloney trance he might be in, for him to weigh in on this matter.

RYAN LEAF DIDN'T TURN OVER A NEW ONE AFTERALL

There were articles (a special on the NFL Channel?) these last few years that chronicled the story of NFL bust Ryan Leaf's drug problem that suggested that he had turned over a 'new leaf'.  Apparently the drug problem is still there, and the feel good redemption stories were a bit premature.


If you're looking for the full (fool?) story, CBS Sports published a detailed article about the ex-NFL quarterback's latest drama, and includes what appears to be his mug shot.  


If you're a fan of the San Diego Chargers and relieved to have Philip Rivers at the helm, then pluck down some skekels and get some great gear featuring the San Diego Armchair Quarterback.  You will find great apparel, home and office accessories, clothing, unique custom gift items and more.