Hi Folks,
We do a ton of insightful, thoughtful and serious features here at Footballguys with smart people thinking deeply for you.
This is not one of those features.
This is Random Shots and it's a few pages of me downloading my goofy and dysfunctional mental hard drive that gets stuffed with way too many random items from too many hours watching, reading about and listening to football every weekend and throughout the week. It's the only way I manage. Here's hoping it has some value for you.
We'll see. Now let's get to it.
J
The Holidays are upon us. Let's open with the best rendition I've heard in a while of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" courtesy of that noted Holiday Crooner - Bill Belichick. Click here for the video.
Just like last year, I'm starting right off the bat with the music as we cover all the Holiday bases. First, a Run DMC - Charlie Brown mashup of Christmas in Hollis from the Best Christmas Movie Ever - Die Hard.
Next up is Adam Sandler with the classic Chanukah Song.
Elvis sings my favorite Christmas song.
And for a picture of cool personified, he butchers the words but still kills it live.
Long live the King.
Lastly, one of my favorite Sports Illustrated covers from a few years back featuring Belichick Santa.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Footballguys.
Melvin Gordon apologized to his Fantasy GMs.
Travis Kelce with a $750,000 catch Thursday Night. Not bad.
You probably saw Stephen A. Smith talk about Spencer Ware and Hunter Henry last week.
As one who still regularly says "San Diego" Chargers, you're not going to hear me saying much here.
Although the look on Tedy Bruschi's face is worth watching the video.
Besides, no need for me to say anything when Russell Okung dropped the mic thanking Hunter Henry after the win.
James Harden rocking the Snakeskin Shorts Suit.
Sometimes you just don't know...
I hope the Jets offensive line is credited with an assist here.
Flashback to the 2017 Jesse James Touchdown / No Touchdown moment in the New England at Pittsburgh game. How'd you like to be the official here giving the bad news to Joey Porter?
Hmmm. Maybe Thursday games don't suck.
Josh Allen seems seriously underrated to me. Guy is nearly as big as Cam Newton. And has wheels.
You know linebacker Alec Ogletree had a rough time in the film room after this one.
Marcus Mariota with the de-cleater block.
Oh, those tricky Colts...
We've talked a lot about ESPN's BoogerCam blocking fan's view.
But Santa Bear is a whole different level.
Bill Belichick had this for reporters.
I loved the backhanded swipe at the rest of the league with December 25 being "in the middle of the season". Most teams don't end their season in February like the Patriots.
I love all these throwback Touchdown Celebrations. Tyler Boyd with the latest and a tribute to Chad Johnson's Riverdance.
Well done.
May you find someone who loves you as much as Andrew Luck loves his mouthpiece.
Nothing against Jordan Howard but I could have scored with this blocking.
FOX went to commercial break with this in slo-motion.
Thanks, FOX.
The Good News: Dalvin Cook scored a rushing touchdown.
The Bad News: It's his first one this year.
He did have the sweet spin move though.
Thanks to Footballguys Gerry Graham and Needles56 for that one.
Between Marcus Mariota and Dion Lewis, Alec Ogletree had a rough day with people smaller than him.
Five days in and already this is not aging well.
Mitch Trubisky arriving at Soldier Field Sunday.
You knew there was no way the Bears were losing...
And the post-game glory.
Andrew Luck may be my favorite player right now.
Oh yes, they did.
Washington's Byron Marshall took out Dede Westbrook's lead blocker instead of Westbrook.
Marshall said after the game he meant to do this and he knew Westbrook had the ball.
JuJu Smith-Schuster hit up a tailgate before Sunday's game.
On the other end of the "How Much They Love Me In Pittsburgh" scale, here's Le'Veon Bell.
I know Rob Gronkowski is the primary weapon. But at least put someone within 10 yards of Chris Hogan...
The Next Gen view:
I thought this was cool. Ezekiel Elliott immediately following a crushing defeat where the offense was shut out took time to be nice to a young fan holding a sign saying it was his first Cowboys game.
The other locker room was decidedly more upbeat.
Is it just me or have punts been super fun this year?
A better view.
Let this sink in.
James Conner was every Steeler fan Sunday afternoon.
Sebastian Janikowski makes a business decision.
This is one sweet way to celebrate.
Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler last played in 2001. He had some sharp words for Aaron Rodgers after the game.
If I'm Aaron Rodgers, it takes all I've got not to respond with...
Joe Haden with the definition of "high pointing" a football.
Coach Mike Tomlin described the Steelers attitude.
I'm just going to leave this right here...
To be fair, the "like Pittsburgh or hate the Pats" demographic is most of America.
Steelers:
Cris Collinsworth nearly broke the Internet Sunday night sliding in from the left instead of the usual right side.
I love this question. Who do you want as your quarterback if your team is down 7 points with 2 minutes left? Hit me up with an email to bryant@footballguys.com and let me know.
Apparently, the "Jason Witten Ready To Un-Retire" rumors have legs...
This is Brutal. There is no quit in those Bills fans.
And you know it's rough when the visor gets pulled down to your mouth.
Cause:
Effect:
LeBron is that guy who has to have the last word...
Nick Foles with this week's edition of:
"These Guys Make A Lot Of Money.
These Guys Earn A Lot Of Money"
Speaking of Foles, he's back to the rescue.
Eagle Fans hoping this is true...
How bad are things for Jared Goff? Sage Rosenfels is roasting him. Think about that.
Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald get all the (well deserved) hype, but Fletcher Cox is ridiculous too.
Josh Johnson seems like he's enjoying himself.
Chris Carson, you're kind of ridiculous.
George Kittle's fun. Hurriedly wrapped up his postgame presser so he could get to the WWE event.
One more Music Note this week. Sufjan Stevens is a long time favorite and Chicago (Acoustic Version) is one of my favorite songs of all time.
And if you like Christmas music, I bet you'll like his version of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel". Hat Tip: Relevant Magazine.
Did the Patriots leave Tom Brady at home for the Steelers game?
Thanks to Footballguy David Dodds for that one.
Wrapping with one of my favorite sports stories. And one I tell here often.
History lesson time. Heading into the last day, a doubleheader, of the 1941 baseball season, 23-year-old Ted Williams' batting average was .39955. He could have sat out the meaningless last two games of the last day and his average would have rounded to the hallowed .400 mark.
From the sabr.org article: "In his autobiography, My Turn At Bat, Williams recalls Joe Cronin telling him, 'You don’t have to be put in if you don’t want to. You’re officially .400.' Ted reports his reaction: 'Well, God, that hit me like a ***damn lightning bolt! What do you mean I don’t have to play today?'"
But you probably know the story. Williams put his .400 mark at risk and played. Both games. And went 6 for 8 finishing the year at .406.
That's badass.
How that applies to you and me is simple. I feel pretty safe in saying we're not going to hit .400 in the majors. But we all get to walk to the plate every day and take some swings. Take yours.
Thanks to Footballguys Keith Overton, Clayton Gray, Gerry Graham, Needles56 and David Dodds for the help on this one. If you've got a Random Shot of your own, send me an e-mail at bryant@footballguys.com.
Thanks for playing along and I hope you make the most of whatever you're doing in your life. Love your neighbor and stick together.
Peace and Grace to you.
J
