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 brain 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
It's On.
Me (and probably you) Sunday Morning.
WE MADE IT ? pic.twitter.com/mIGSAOg8dW
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 10, 2023
Another year. Another draft in my beloved local league, THE LEAGUE.
[Stepping on the Soapbox...]
I love the big fantasy football contests. I love the NFFC leagues, with their killer Primetime High Stakes leagues and the $350 entry mid-level leagues. Nigel Eccles, co-founder of FanDuel is a good friend, and I'm an early investor in Underdog. I love all that.
But the regular local Home League has always been and will always be the backbone and foundation of fantasy football for me.
And therefore, it'll be the foundation and focus of Footballguys.
The smack talk, community, and camaraderie are the heart and soul of this industry, and it'll always be at the forefront of how I think of Fantasy Football. All the other ways to play are great. But they're all in addition to the Home League.
Friends enjoying each other and enjoying football always has been what I love about Fantasy Sports. And yeah, this is what I said last year. My guess is I'll say it next year too. The big stuff is fun. But the Home Leagues are where my heart's at. And where Footballguys will be.
And yes, you need a Draft Local shirt. It's where I'm steering Footballguys.
[Off the Soapbox]
If a fantasy football season were 9 seconds like this video, we're about half a second in.
But so far, this feels pretty accurate.
Make sure to have the sound on.
A fantasy football season in 9 seconds…
— Joe Bryant (@Football_Guys) September 10, 2023
Can't wait.pic.twitter.com/ocfGdFUuSk
In case you've forgotten during the "offseason", my friend Adam with a reminder on how to play Fantasy Football:
Reminder for today:
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) September 8, 2024
1. If a player you liked all summer hits, tell everyone how smart you are. And how dumb they are.
2. If a player you liked all summer fails, explain it's only Week 1. And only idiots overreact to a 1-game sample.
The Notre Dame inclusion got me...
? Big Cat’s NFL Computer Rankings ?
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) September 10, 2024
Week 1
Feel free to discuss but remember these are computer rankings based on advanced analytics and metrics pic.twitter.com/2yHAMfZF8I
Caleb Williams Sunday.
Caleb Williams making sure the bears win the season opener pic.twitter.com/APItN8M7JT
— ?q?? (@honestlyqu) September 8, 2024
When linemen dream...
Bro lived every lineman’s dream ?
— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) September 2, 2024
pic.twitter.com/3B321kopJo
And talk about pressure on that receiver. He'd never live it down if he didn't pull that one in.
First, Brock Purdy.
Now Jordan Mason.
I feel like Kyle Shanahan is just showing off now.
Bills fans are built different.
Alright they can start the season now pic.twitter.com/IFeeC49jMT
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 8, 2024
One thing I love about Football is just when you think you've seen it all...
This High School in California just perfected the fake puntpic.twitter.com/Jin24yvTN9
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 3, 2024
Dan Campbell is a National Treasure.
It’s here. The Dan Campbell Applebees commercial is out and it is hilarious. pic.twitter.com/jOsXebuSaa
— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) September 3, 2024
Baseball Note.
Ludacris with the BIG ARMS throwing out the first pitch.
Luda pulled up with the BIG ARMS for Ludacris Night in ATL ??
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 4, 2024
(via @mlb)pic.twitter.com/cLgnzGUlIe
Tough night for Baltimore.
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) September 6, 2024
Although the Isaiah Likely hesi at the goal line was COLD.
Isaiah Likely getting SHIFTY. ?? #RavensFlock
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 6, 2024
? NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/4ifAG1DWUX
Which led to this.
Me pulling up to waivers with my FAAB offer for Isaiah Likely: pic.twitter.com/0AvqbMRhnY
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) September 6, 2024
And this.
Mark Andrews fantasy managers watching that Isaiah Likely TD: pic.twitter.com/XmB1M4Z1qr
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) September 6, 2024
Send this to your favorite Kansas City hater...
And so it begins. pic.twitter.com/cz8H0MNe98
— ?? Mark Soto ?? (@markesoto) September 6, 2024
True words right here.
This guy's dating Taylor Swift.
— Joe Bryant (@Football_Guys) September 6, 2024
Your haircut doesn't matter.
pic.twitter.com/mKuPiESxio
You take those edges wherever you can find them.
If I bought an NFL Team, every player would wear completely solid white cleats... pic.twitter.com/L0tp3FYGMW
— Joe Bryant (@Football_Guys) September 6, 2024
My buddy Jagger May should get rich off the naming rights here...
Nike needs to put out a new line on of cleats
— Jagger May (@JagSays) September 6, 2024
“Yo bro I just got them Nike Inconclusive Evidence 1s”
Not a fan of the Friday Night game.
The league exploited a loophole in the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 that let them broadcast on a Friday. A night that has always been for High School Football.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Raiders rookie Dylan Laube with an early lead for Random Shots Player Of The Year.
Rolling into the first weekend of the NFL season like #Raiders rookie Dylan Laube... pic.twitter.com/K5nux8fCc5
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 6, 2024
Thanks to Bob Henry for that one.
There is nothing like combining Bat-Man and Football.
They expect one of us in the wreckage, brother. pic.twitter.com/PdHnkYlm4k
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 7, 2024
Unfortunately for the Giants, this was the best part of their day.
The @Giants midfield logo to commemorate their 100th season looks incredible. ? #Giants100
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
?: #MINvsNYG - 1pm ET on FOX
?: https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/lBarnMqH1D
Thanks to Clayton Gray for that one.
This one slayed me.
Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz enters the field to “Many Men” after serving a one-game suspension ?pic.twitter.com/Ev6Srt3MEE
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 7, 2024
I love this so much.
Today and Monday's helmet matchups. pic.twitter.com/lgRkMD37Y7
— ?????? ?????? (@HelmetAddict) September 8, 2024
Hope Springs Eternal.
Unless you're the Giants or Panthers. You guys are on the clock.
The "Man I swear this is our year, I can feel it" starter pack pic.twitter.com/brW7DO0aly
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) September 8, 2024
Here's a question:
How long until the majority of players on Sundays are wearing a Guardian helmet?
Jabrill Peppers already is. My guess is many more will soon follow.
Jabrill Peppers is wearing a guardian cap pic.twitter.com/RCcHw1E2fQ
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 8, 2024
Derek Carr and Rashid Shaheed were on fire Sunday.
Which is a thin excuse for me to post one of my favorite videos from last season.
"Be ready if I give you a go route."
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 12, 2023
.@derekcarrqb called his shot and delivered in his @Saints debut ?pic.twitter.com/rvoWGoPMhu
"Listen to me Sheed. Freaking run" is one of my favorite play calls.
But my favorite is Carr suggesting a go route for Shaheed to the offensive coordinator and Jameis Winston emphatically approving with "Yes".
Aaron Jones keeping the streak alive. No wonder the Vikings won.
And so is Mr. @JJettas2:https://t.co/v25r76GAbX
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 8, 2024
Same with Dallas.
Cowboys by 100 https://t.co/Nef45xUghl
— Joe Bryant (@Football_Guys) September 8, 2024
This is sports.
And one thing especially fun about College Football.
We have upsets on Sundays, of course. But nothing like this with the overlooked scrappy underdogs taking on the Kings of the Hill with zillion-dollar budgets and all the advantages.
NIU coach’s speech after upsetting Notre Dame is why we love college football. pic.twitter.com/kZBTUKsCMu
— OutKick (@Outkick) September 7, 2024
Thanks to Bob Henry for that one.
The radio call for Northern Illinois says it all.
NIU radio call of upsetting Notre Dame is gold. pic.twitter.com/5LM4VpfhPD
— OutKick (@Outkick) September 7, 2024
Music Note This Week.
If you know me, you know the Rolling Stones are my favorite band.
I especially love their older stuff.
Here's the Gospel according to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. So good.
The song was on the Beggar's Banquet LP released in 1968 and a cover of the original by Reverend Robert Wilkins.
If you were wondering why the NFL changed the kickoff rule...
This hit was damn near attempted murder ? pic.twitter.com/fHutcic40K
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) September 6, 2024
Things will be different this year for Bryce Yo...
Bryce Young's first pass of the season ?pic.twitter.com/fzoSEu8PR1
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) September 8, 2024
That didn't take long.
Stefon Diggs is already in mid-season form ?pic.twitter.com/Ityq0jzWM1
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 8, 2024
God Bless you, Browns fans.
Billy this is Deshaun Watson. We gave up 3 first round picks for him and he makes $230 million fully guaranteed. His defect is that he’s really bad at playing quarterback pic.twitter.com/JvZx4EeNag
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 8, 2024
In a world where things change fast, it's comforting to know one can count on Steelers Football.
The Steelers are both the only team in the AFC North without a touchdown this season and the only team with a win pic.twitter.com/ZlQBUVUALC
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) September 9, 2024
Week 2 seems a little early in the year for the can't-miss #1 NFL Pick who will pick his team to be making business decisions at the goal line.
Not a fan of the effort from the outside corner on this Nebraska TD. pic.twitter.com/vynNy0t6Xf
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) September 8, 2024
Jason Kelce's shirt button was doing work.
That button on Jason Kelce’s shirt ? https://t.co/oJicfFd9pN pic.twitter.com/06CTJK4O2I
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) September 10, 2024
Random Example of why Women Live Longer Than Men.
— Why Woman Live Longer (@whylivelonger) September 11, 2024
Zero chance this happens, but just a thought: Maybe Deion Sanders might consider talking less?
“When you lose, you're going to be ridiculed, you're going to be prosecuted and persecuted and I'm good. I've been on the cross for a long time and I'm still hanging.”
— OutKick (@Outkick) September 10, 2024
Did Deion Sanders compare himself to Jesus? pic.twitter.com/86ftDk7mRl
Want to feel old?
I thought DeSean Jackson was modern day.
Man almost pulled a modern day DeSean Jackson after an incredible return
— Football Reels ? (@TheFBReels) September 8, 2024
pic.twitter.com/MZI0YYfW4c
This explains some things.
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) September 10, 2024
Go Vols.
Jacoby Brissett was talking and Jerod Mayo came back into the room and handed him a Tennessee sweatshirt. Brissett lost a bet as Tennessee beat NC State pic.twitter.com/xDwjj3VZNm
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 11, 2024
Wrapping with this one.
I think lots of people vastly underestimate two closely related and intertwined things:
- The positive effect an encouraging word can have on other people.
- Their ability to impact other people with encouragement.
My friend and Footballguys Staffer Devin Knotts posted this and illustrated a sweet point.
Storytime:
— Devin Knotts (@devinaknotts) September 10, 2024
My first week at @Footballguys in 2015, I tried to quit after a bad college football week. I was crushed after sharing my projection model for the first time and seeing sub-par game results. @Football_Guys called me and talked me down explaining to a 26-year-old…
And let me be totally clear. This isn't about me. I didn't do anything special at all. Which is the point. All I did was encourage a young and talented content creator. All I did was tell him what I already knew: That predicting the game is hard, that one week doesn't make a season, and that I believed in him.
The "cost" of that to me was nothing. But the impact of a short conversation was significant.
Who can you encourage this week? My guess is they need it more than you know. And it'll make a bigger impact than you think.
Thank you for being part of this goofy journey with us.
And thanks to Footballguys Keith Overton, Bob Henry, and Clayton Gray for the help. If you've got a Random Shot of your own, email me 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