Quick 6′er for the Wildcard Weekend
Well the Wildcard Weekend is upon us. Typically the most exciting week of the NFL playoffs, Wildcard Weekend proves every year that nothing is better in sports than playoff football. (You hear that NCAA? Nothing is better than playoff football. This quick 6-pack of commentary will hit on the lovely Elin Nordegren, Greg McElroy, Tim Tebow and what it means to be a “Penn State Man.” Let’s get it started.
Beer 1. Elin Nordegren is blowing Tiger’s Money
As I crack open the first beer I’ve got to talk about the lovely Elin Nordegren. Apparently she went out and bought a $12Million dollar mansion in South Florida just to bulldoze the ENTIRE building. This chick is crazy. The house was beautiful, but I guess when you’re getting half of three quarters of a BILLI, you can do what you want. I don’t mind the lavish spending, but it makes me sad watching a beautiful house get destroyed. (Image from: Hollywood Life.)
Beer 2. Greg McElroy Shut Your Mouth
I’m sure by now you’ve heard the stories of 3rd string QB (on IR) Greg McElroy commenting on how selfish the J-E-T-S locker room was this past year. He even said it wasn’t a “fun place to be.” We’ve all heard stories of players and teams that quit. They always come out from the media and unnamed sources. You want to know why? Because people don’t want to be labeled as a rat, or a nark. The locker room is like a family. During the season players and coaches spend more time around each other than their family. Keep that stuff in house. Look, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would be harshly criticized for saying something like this, let alone a 3rd string ROOKIE quarterback on injured reserve. But don’t worry about that locker room being a “fun place to be” anymore, because dude, you’re not coming back.
That was refreshing. On to the next one.
Beer 3. Penn State doesn’t hire a “Penn State Man”
Penn State has hired the successor to Joe Paterno and alums and boosters are upset Bill O’Brien isn’t a “Penn State Man.” What does that mean? I’m sick of hearing about that. Rich Rodriguez was given a very short leash at Michigan for not being a “Michigan Man.” RichRod deserved to be fired for his horrible stint in Ann Arbor, but he was doomed for failure from the start. The university HAD to go outside of the family tree. Had to be a clean break. I don’t know that Bill O’Brien is the best fit for the job in Happy Valley, but I do know that not many people wanted that job. You can say all you want that you’re a prized job, but if nobody applies then you’ve got to look in the mirror and see what is really there. Penn St has an inflated view of it self much like Notre Dame. They were a dominant power back in the days and could still be good now. But they’re not Alabama, LSU, Texas or USC. They’re not even Ohio State or Michigan. Pedophilia, possible cover-ups and on going negative news isn’t a stain that washes off very easily. O’Brien would have a tough go at it even with the support of boosters and alums. But this idea that because he’s not from the Penn State tree he’s not a good coach is ludicrous. You know who wasn’t a “Penn State Man?” Joe Paterno. Yeah, he was from Brown. Just like Bill O’Brien. You know who aren’t men from the same school they coach at now? Nick Saban, Urban Meyer (at Florida), Les Miles, Mack Brown, Bob Stoops. Yet somehow they’ve all managed to win titles. The Penn State particular brand of football hasn’t been that great over the past decade and half anyway. A couple brushes in the top 5, but not that much. Winning cures all. Give O’Brien a chance. When he covers up a child rape then you can fire him.
That was intense. I think I need something a little lighter moving forward.
Beer 4. Jerry Jones is playing Fantasy Football
I’m a Cowboys fan through and through. Over the last couple years I’ve heard all the talk about how the Cowboys are the “most talented football team in America” with nothing to show for it. Unfortunately I think the phrase is correct. Dallas really has been one of the most talented teams at the skill positions, at the fantasy positions. You know in fantasy football you have a QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, TE, a Kicker and a Defense? Well over the last several years that’s exactly what the Cowboys have had. With the exception of Jason Witten at the TE spot, none of them have an argument for being the best at that position, but they’re all really good. The problem is the offensive line, the defensive secondary and coach just don’t get it done. Wade Phillips was a fantastic defensive coordinator but not a good head coach. Jason Garrett seemingly sabotaged the offense to get Wade fired and forgot that was the way he was calling plays. Garret easily lost 2 games for the Cowboys this year while trying to juggle being a first time head coach and offensive coordinator. Jerry, I know you’re never going to fire yourself as General Manager. Do me a favor, please. Make Jason Garret hire an offensive coordinator, seek some advice about putting together a line and cut Terrance Newman. Maybe one day you’ll actually take home your fantasy trophy.
Beer 5. Tim Tebow made the playoffs?
Is Tim Tebow still the golden boy? How come nobody talks about his 8-7 record as a starting QB? They only talk about his 7-5 (after 3 straight losses) record. I thought all he did was win? After this weekend, however, he’ll be .500 as a starting QB. I don’t see any way this kid is the starter moving forward. Neither his coach nor GM REALLY has his back. He’s terrible mechanically and after this year he can no longer say, “All I do is Win.” The Denver kicker Matt Prater and that stud defense win. (Side Note: Is there any way Von Miller isn’t the Defensive Rookie of the Year?) Imagine how good they’d be with a QB that could hit the side of a barn with the football. Scary in the AFC West.
Beer 6. Wildcard Weekend Drinking game.
Now that I’m all lubed up I’m ready to party. The guys over at Sports Pickle created a fun drinking game for this Wildcard Weekend. I think I’m going to be SLOSHED after this one. Looks fun, check it out here: WildCard Weekend Drinking Game.
Drunken Prediction:
The New England Patriots ended up with the best record in the AFC despite not beating one winning team. They’re defense is terrible and their offensive coordinator just took the Penn State head coaching job. Meanwhile, the Green Bay packers can’t stop anyone on defense and apparently Aaron Rogers is a “system quarterback” (No, I don’t believe that.) With all that being said, I think BOTH #1 seeds in the NFL lose during the divisional round of the playoffs while the Saints (IF they can get by the Detroit Lions) and Ravens end up in the Superbowl. I think this is the Ravens year. Of course, I thought that the past two years also.
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