Get Off McDaniels’ Back, Brandon Marshall Quit On The Broncos

In the world of professional sports, fans tend to latch on to the players perceived as the stars of their sport. The concept of “team” often comes secondary. People fall in love with stats and flash, and don’t pay enough attention to the real reason their favorite team is winning or losing.

It’s not surprising at all to me that there are so many in the media calling for Josh McDaniels’ head for benching Brandon Marshall. The man who goes by the nickname “The Beast”, is just that on the football field. He’s a monster. He loves the camera, and the camera loves him. He’s a genuine Super Star, and the Broncos’ most talented offensive player by most accounts.

But how much should McDaniels tolerate before he says enough is enough? Should Brandon Marshall get a free pass from the coaching staff, simply because he’s a fan favorite, with gaudy stats?

My answer would be absolutely not. To win football games, you need to have 11 guys on the field that are committed to the guys lining up beside them. Are people truly naive enough to believe that Marshall’s teammates could watch him act like a punk towards their leader, coach McDaniels, and then commit to him on the football field?

They can’t possibly trust the guy. They can’t possibly trust his motives. Not when the whole world knows that Marshall is in a contract year, and that he wanted to ditch the team last summer. Not when they know that this guy doesn’t have their backs, as he’s decided that he couldn’t possibly take the field with them against the Chiefs, in what could be the final game of Denver’s season.

So why is it that Marshall gets the benefit of a doubt with the media and most fans? How is it that Brandon Marshall can pull a hamstring (with negative MRI results) just three days after getting 100 catches for a third straight year, and nobody raises and eyebrow?

Is it possible that “The Beast” is really in too much pain to be productive? Sure. But I’m not buying into it. I’m done sticking up for this guy. He got his stats. He got his pro bowl bid. Telling the coaching staff that he is too injured to help his team against the Chiefs in the season finale seems like a cop out by Marshall. It seems like Marshall felt that he had done enough earn a big contract offer this off-season, and he decided to call it a year, one game early.

That’s more than enough to tell McDaniels that he doesn’t want the guy around anymore. Would you trust Marshall? It all seems too convenient for him. 100 catchess? Check. Pro Bowl? Check. Big contact next year? Check. Okay, time for vacation.

I really do wish things could have been different, and I am going to miss the excitement of watching Brandon Marshall in a Broncos uniform.

The fact of the matter is that Marshall does not fit with the Broncos. People forget that Shanahan had every intention of cutting Marshall until he got fired, which is saying a lot, considering the lowly characters Shanahan has bent over backwards to bring to the Mile High City, such as Ted Washington and Dale Carter.

For every Larry Fitzgerald, their is a Randy Moss and a Terrell Owens.

Brandon Marshall is no Larry Fitzgerald.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Get Off McDaniels’ Back, Brandon Marshall Quit On The Broncos

In the world of professional sports, fans tend to latch on to the players perceived as the stars of their sport. The concept of “team” often comes secondary. People fall in love with stats and flash, and don’t pay enough attention to the real reason their favorite team is winning or losing.

It’s not surprising at all to me that there are so many in the media calling for Josh McDaniels’ head for benching Brandon Marshall. The man who goes by the nickname “The Beast”, is just that on the football field. He’s a monster. He loves the camera, and the camera loves him. He’s a genuine Super Star, and the Broncos’ most talented offensive player by most accounts.

But how much should McDaniels tolerate before he says enough is enough? Should Brandon Marshall get a free pass from the coaching staff, simply because he’s a fan favorite, with gaudy stats?

My answer would be absolutely not. To win football games, you need to have 11 guys on the field that are committed to the guys lining up beside them. Are people truly naive enough to believe that Marshall’s teammates could watch him act like a punk towards their leader, coach McDaniels, and then commit to him on the football field?

They can’t possibly trust the guy. They can’t possibly trust his motives. Not when the whole world knows that Marshall is in a contract year, and that he wanted to ditch the team last summer. Not when they know that this guy doesn’t have their backs, as he’s decided that he couldn’t possibly take the field with them against the Chiefs, in what could be the final game of Denver’s season.

So why is it that Marshall gets the benefit of a doubt with the media and most fans? How is it that Brandon Marshall can pull a hamstring (with negative MRI results) just three days after getting 100 catches for a third straight year, and nobody raises and eyebrow?

Is it possible that “The Beast” is really in too much pain to be productive? Sure. But I’m not buying into it. I’m done sticking up for this guy. He got his stats. He got his pro bowl bid. Telling the coaching staff that he is too injured to help his team against the Chiefs in the season finale seems like a cop out by Marshall. It seems like Marshall felt that he had done enough earn a big contract offer this off-season, and he decided to call it a year, one game early.

That’s more than enough to tell McDaniels that he doesn’t want the guy around anymore. Would you trust Marshall? It all seems too convenient for him. 100 catchess? Check. Pro Bowl? Check. Big contact next year? Check. Okay, time for vacation.

I really do wish things could have been different, and I am going to miss the excitement of watching Brandon Marshall in a Broncos uniform.

The fact of the matter is that Marshall does not fit with the Broncos. People forget that Shanahan had every intention of cutting Marshall until he got fired, which is saying a lot, considering the lowly characters Shanahan has bent over backwards to bring to the Mile High City, such as Ted Washington and Dale Carter.

For every Larry Fitzgerald, their is a Randy Moss and a Terrell Owens.

Brandon Marshall is no Larry Fitzgerald.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Let’s Not Play the Blame Game: Pat White May Have Just Ruined His Career

There is a reason that the quarterback slide was created.  Not every quarterback is like Ben Roethlisberger. 

Maybe I’m ranting because my team, down by two touchdowns at the end of the third quarter against a solid Steelers team, likely will not make the playoffs.  Maybe I’m ranting because my team’s starting quarterback is likely being shadowed by a coach’s decision to sit down for the second half. And the quarterback has to claim that he has an eye injury. 

Which likely negates any hope that any fan or player had for the playoffs.  That very well may be.  But there is one thing I cannot stand.  When a second-string rookie quarterback is given a shot to try to get his team closer to playoff contention, and in his only half to prove himself, he slides head-first into a pile of yellow and gold.  Very rarely is a cornerback bigger than a quarterback.  Ike Taylor happens to have five pounds and two inches on him. 

Maybe you could say that it is not a typical play, and Pat White was denying the possibility of the outcome.  But with all due respect, we see so many crazy quarterback concussions, broken bones and the like, that there is no need for any quarterback to put himself in more danger. 

Pat White did not have a first down.  Pat White did not have anything.  He very possibly may have ended his career, or at least may have shortened it drastically.  And very often sports fans do not take into consideration the fact that injuries affect a person’s life after football also. 

There is a life that every player has off the field; family, friends, and others that care about their well being.  It was extremely irresponsible for White to do this.  The NFL thought guys were throwing away their lives with off-field antics, but there is another skill that is not professed enough in the locker room.  It’s called protection. 

The NFLPA and other organizations who are trying to get medical aid to retired players, who are being punished by concussions suffered while playing, are having enough trouble trying to get aid for those that played the game as safe as an NFL game can be played.  There was no positive outcome that could have come out of this mindless play. 

I wish you a speedy recovery, but I hope you learn a valuable lesson.  Think before you slide. 

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Let’s Not Play the Blame Game: Pat White May Have Just Ruined His Career

There is a reason that the quarterback slide was created.  Not every quarterback is like Ben Roethlisberger. 

Maybe I’m ranting because my team, down by two touchdowns at the end of the third quarter against a solid Steelers team, likely will not make the playoffs.  Maybe I’m ranting because my team’s starting quarterback is likely being shadowed by a coach’s decision to sit down for the second half. And the quarterback has to claim that he has an eye injury. 

Which likely negates any hope that any fan or player had for the playoffs.  That very well may be.  But there is one thing I cannot stand.  When a second-string rookie quarterback is given a shot to try to get his team closer to playoff contention, and in his only half to prove himself, he slides head-first into a pile of yellow and gold.  Very rarely is a cornerback bigger than a quarterback.  Ike Taylor happens to have five pounds and two inches on him. 

Maybe you could say that it is not a typical play, and Pat White was denying the possibility of the outcome.  But with all due respect, we see so many crazy quarterback concussions, broken bones and the like, that there is no need for any quarterback to put himself in more danger. 

Pat White did not have a first down.  Pat White did not have anything.  He very possibly may have ended his career, or at least may have shortened it drastically.  And very often sports fans do not take into consideration the fact that injuries affect a person’s life after football also. 

There is a life that every player has off the field; family, friends, and others that care about their well being.  It was extremely irresponsible for White to do this.  The NFL thought guys were throwing away their lives with off-field antics, but there is another skill that is not professed enough in the locker room.  It’s called protection. 

The NFLPA and other organizations who are trying to get medical aid to retired players, who are being punished by concussions suffered while playing, are having enough trouble trying to get aid for those that played the game as safe as an NFL game can be played.  There was no positive outcome that could have come out of this mindless play. 

I wish you a speedy recovery, but I hope you learn a valuable lesson.  Think before you slide. 

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys: NFC East Crown on the Line

At roughly 4:15 PM EST, the invasion will begin.

Both teams are in the playoffs, but there is much more at stake here. Not just a No. 2 seed, not just a division win, but a title. A chance to rub it in. A chance to exact revenge.

For the Eagles, it is a chance to stroll into Jerry Jones’ modern-day kingdom and escape with a most-prized treasure. For Tony Romo, it is an opportunity to free himself of the ghosts of woulda, coulda, and shoulda that have plagued him for two seasons.

A year ago, the Cowboys strutted into Dallas needing a win to make the playoffs. They left with their tails between their legs after a merciless rout. Fast-forward to today. The Eagles need a win in Dallas to clinch the division and steal the No. 2 seed. The Cowboys cannot get the No. 2 seed after the Vikings’ win earlier, but a title would be just as sweet for a team barraged by reports of a “December jinx.”

Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, and Brian Westbrook will be the Eagles’ battering ram against the fortress of Cowboy Stadium. Romo, Roy Williams, and Jason Witten will be the counterattack.

With teams resting players for the playoffs, it is a rare sight that Week 17 brings us a match-up that football fans can really sink their teeth into. This is a true show-stopper in the making. Frenzied crowd, rivalry, revenge, glory, and bragging rights are at stake.

There was similar build-up to last season’s finale, but the Cowboys succeeded in deflating it with a spectacular implosion. That failure will no doubt be on their minds when they take the field today. For the Eagles, this is a chance to reclaim the glory of a season ago, and escape the house that Jones built with his most valued possession, a win.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys: NFC East Crown on the Line

At roughly 4:15 PM EST, the invasion will begin.

Both teams are in the playoffs, but there is much more at stake here. Not just a No. 2 seed, not just a division win, but a title. A chance to rub it in. A chance to exact revenge.

For the Eagles, it is a chance to stroll into Jerry Jones’ modern-day kingdom and escape with a most-prized treasure. For Tony Romo, it is an opportunity to free himself of the ghosts of woulda, coulda, and shoulda that have plagued him for two seasons.

A year ago, the Cowboys strutted into Dallas needing a win to make the playoffs. They left with their tails between their legs after a merciless rout. Fast-forward to today. The Eagles need a win in Dallas to clinch the division and steal the No. 2 seed. The Cowboys cannot get the No. 2 seed after the Vikings’ win earlier, but a title would be just as sweet for a team barraged by reports of a “December jinx.”

Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, and Brian Westbrook will be the Eagles’ battering ram against the fortress of Cowboy Stadium. Romo, Roy Williams, and Jason Witten will be the counterattack.

With teams resting players for the playoffs, it is a rare sight that Week 17 brings us a match-up that football fans can really sink their teeth into. This is a true show-stopper in the making. Frenzied crowd, rivalry, revenge, glory, and bragging rights are at stake.

There was similar build-up to last season’s finale, but the Cowboys succeeded in deflating it with a spectacular implosion. That failure will no doubt be on their minds when they take the field today. For the Eagles, this is a chance to reclaim the glory of a season ago, and escape the house that Jones built with his most valued possession, a win.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Wes Welker, Chad Henne, and Pat White Hurt in Week 17

Wes Welker left the Houston game today with a knee injury. He left on a cart with a towel over his head, which is usually an indication from the player that they know the injury to be serious.

It could be awful news for Patriots fans, but then again Belichick is the best at applying band aids to glaring sores.

I would be willing to bet his top two band aids may be journeyman Sam Aiken and rookie Julian Edelman.

Edelman is physically almost an exact replica of Welker, although not nearly as seasoned and unlikely to be as tough a runner after catch, and Aiken has some serious wheels for the long ball.

Expect both to get heavily involved in the postseason if Welker is out for the year.

After Chad Henne left with an eye injury, Pat White took a nasty helmet to helmet shot in the Dolphins-Steelers contest. The hit left White immediately motionless, and now Tyler Thigpen will get a chance to throw the ‘Fins last desperation tosses of the season.

I have a couple of remarks about this scenario. First, if I were a Miami fan I would be upset with the coaching staff for not giving White much of an opportunity to throw the ball.

This is their last chance at having an opportunity to get into the playoffs, and by not even attempting to throw with White playing QB, they created a huge bull’s eye on his back because the Steelers knew they were running every single play.

Secondly, I am a big fan of No. 3 QB Thigpen and who knows? They are down by 17, and last year playing on a bad Chiefs team he regularly put together some impressive fourth quarter drives.

I have seen enough of Thigpen that I think he is deserving of a chance to be the No. 1 long-term QB for some team.

Stay tuned.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Wes Welker, Chad Henne, and Pat White Hurt in Week 17

Wes Welker left the Houston game today with a knee injury. He left on a cart with a towel over his head, which is usually an indication from the player that they know the injury to be serious.

It could be awful news for Patriots fans, but then again Belichick is the best at applying band aids to glaring sores.

I would be willing to bet his top two band aids may be journeyman Sam Aiken and rookie Julian Edelman.

Edelman is physically almost an exact replica of Welker, although not nearly as seasoned and unlikely to be as tough a runner after catch, and Aiken has some serious wheels for the long ball.

Expect both to get heavily involved in the postseason if Welker is out for the year.

After Chad Henne left with an eye injury, Pat White took a nasty helmet to helmet shot in the Dolphins-Steelers contest. The hit left White immediately motionless, and now Tyler Thigpen will get a chance to throw the ‘Fins last desperation tosses of the season.

I have a couple of remarks about this scenario. First, if I were a Miami fan I would be upset with the coaching staff for not giving White much of an opportunity to throw the ball.

This is their last chance at having an opportunity to get into the playoffs, and by not even attempting to throw with White playing QB, they created a huge bull’s eye on his back because the Steelers knew they were running every single play.

Secondly, I am a big fan of No. 3 QB Thigpen and who knows? They are down by 17, and last year playing on a bad Chiefs team he regularly put together some impressive fourth quarter drives.

I have seen enough of Thigpen that I think he is deserving of a chance to be the No. 1 long-term QB for some team.

Stay tuned.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Indianapolis Colts: Individual Achievements Greater Than Team Goals

Another week, another controversial topic for a 14-win NFL team.

The Colts are in Buffalo at this moment, taking on the Bills in what is basically a pre-season game.

After last week’s decision to rest the starters late in the third quarter, the Colts organization has set themselves up for another interesting week of fan criticism.

With Wes Welker going down with a serious injury in a meaningless game in Houston, fans and teams are on high alert. Not Bill Polian.

With the snow pouring down on top of them in Buffalo, the Colts starters took to the field. The goal was obvious from the start; get Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne the ball, so they can get their 100 catches for the season. Mr. Polian, (which he insists on being referred to) may I ask, why?

The only thing this did was prove that the individual statistics are worth the risk of injury, but going for NFL history is not. This city would have imploded had Peyton slipped on the grass, or Reggie taken a slide and turned an ankle.

Not only did they play to get those statistics, but they would do whatever it took to get it done. Both Wayne and Clark’s final catches were for losses.

Even if you are making it obvious to the defense of what you are going to do, at least put Painter into the game. What difference does it make if the passes come from Peyton or Curtis?

The starters ended up playing into the second quarter before they took to the sidelines.

There is no doubt that Polian is the best in the business when it comes to evaluating talent for the draft, but these last two weeks have brought more questions and concern to the forefront than anything else.

Now it truly is Super Bowl or bust.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Indianapolis Colts: Individual Achievements Greater Than Team Goals

Another week, another controversial topic for a 14-win NFL team.

The Colts are in Buffalo at this moment, taking on the Bills in what is basically a pre-season game.

After last week’s decision to rest the starters late in the third quarter, the Colts organization has set themselves up for another interesting week of fan criticism.

With Wes Welker going down with a serious injury in a meaningless game in Houston, fans and teams are on high alert. Not Bill Polian.

With the snow pouring down on top of them in Buffalo, the Colts starters took to the field. The goal was obvious from the start; get Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne the ball, so they can get their 100 catches for the season. Mr. Polian, (which he insists on being referred to) may I ask, why?

The only thing this did was prove that the individual statistics are worth the risk of injury, but going for NFL history is not. This city would have imploded had Peyton slipped on the grass, or Reggie taken a slide and turned an ankle.

Not only did they play to get those statistics, but they would do whatever it took to get it done. Both Wayne and Clark’s final catches were for losses.

Even if you are making it obvious to the defense of what you are going to do, at least put Painter into the game. What difference does it make if the passes come from Peyton or Curtis?

The starters ended up playing into the second quarter before they took to the sidelines.

There is no doubt that Polian is the best in the business when it comes to evaluating talent for the draft, but these last two weeks have brought more questions and concern to the forefront than anything else.

Now it truly is Super Bowl or bust.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

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