Hi Folks,
We do a lot of really insightful, thoughtful and serious features here at Footballguys with some very 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 keep relatively sane. Here's hoping it has a tiny bit of value for you.
We’ll see how it goes. Let’s get to it.
J
I think this Russell Wilson guy may have a future in this league…
It’s one thing to beat bad teams. Another thing to beat great teams.
Here’s Russell’s record against some pretty good QBs:
Peter King asked Russell about the record in this week’s MMQB. “That’s a team record,” Wilson said. “When we play against the best, like we did today, it’s a humbling experience. I want to be up there with those guys one day. It’s a thrill to be able to play in games like this, against guys like Peyton, and I just want to excel when we play them. It can’t get any better than a game like this today.”
“I know I shouldn’t say this,” Wilson said, “but I actually wanted overtime. Of course I want to win in regulation, but overtime is so much fun. I live for those moments.”
Love it.
Andy Reid makes me happy.
Although it’ll never top the Kool Aid gif from last year.
If you’re old enough to know what I’m talking about, you know what I’m talking about.
And the happiness wasn’t just limited to Reid.
Cyrus Gray enjoyed himself.
Although with every action, comes a reaction. On the other side of Gray’s celebration were Knile Davis owners who were making the Jerry Richardson face.
Much was made a few years ago when Richardson asked Cam Newton to refrain from tattoos or piercings.
Apparently Jerry said nothing about capri pants or tuxedo slippers.
You Go, Cam Newton. That’s a secure man right there.
Minnesota’s Captain Munnerlyn with a suplex for Drew Brees.
Brees was cool about it after the game tossing this softball…
which the Saints social media folks knocked out of the park.
Well played.
This is how I remember Joey Porter, the player.
Joey Porter, the coach seems different…
Which illustrates one of my favorite quotes from the legendary Ferris Bueller: “Life moves pretty fast around here.”
Although in fairness, Cameron Heyward is a big dude.
Thanks to Footballguy Tom Winkler for that one.
Jim Harbaugh’s become a Random Shots regular lately. Here’s a classic picture from the post game handshake Sunday.
Mike Jurecki relayed a great line from before the game. “Bruce Arians on the rivalry with the Niners (SF 9-1 last ten games) ‘it can't be a rivalry if you get your ass kicked all the time.’”
Nobody gets ready for an overtime field goal like like Stephen Hauschka.
Thanks to Footballguy Erik Weinapple for that one.
San Francisco’s Frank Gore was too upset to talk after Sunday’s game. Six carries with just one in the second half will do that.
I'm just glad they didn’t try to interview the guys who started him…
Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy had this quote after Sunday’s underwhelming performance: "I don't know if I have to be more patient or speed things up but one way or another I'm responsible for the run game.”
I bet most of you can relate. I spend half my time wondering if I should be going faster or trying to be more patient.
I don’t care if it counted or not, the eye popping catch of the weekend belonged to DeAndre Hopkins. Wow.
Thanks to Footballguy Matt Waldman for that one.
Here’s how much sway Peyton Manning has among the media. This is a real headline after the Denver loss: “Was the NFL's overtime rule unfair to Peyton Manning and the Broncos?”
I say we give credit to Tarvaris Jackson for the staredown…
Fun Glitch in the Matrix Sunday. Every point scored in the Patriots - Raiders game was put on the board by a “kowski”.
The Good News: Finally a Houston TD from Fitzpatrick to Johnson.
The Bad News: Damaris Johnson…
Fantasy owners responded with
One more on Fitzpatrick.
Ouch.
Our friend Adam Schefter was very kind to give Random Shots a shout out last week to his 10 Zillion Twitter followers.
Thank you, Sir. It’s awesome to me that a guy at the very top of his profession will take time for folks like me.
Seamus Kennedy said he thought Ditka looked more like Commissioner Gordon. Nice.
And God Bless Bear Fan.
I called out former Michigan State QBs Brian Hoyer, Kirk Cousins and Nick Foles last week.
Footballguy Joseph Hughes sent me this great pic.
Sweet.
And I know you Arizona folks are proud of Foles. Don’t screw this up for me…
More followup from last week.
I got on the soapbox and preached about you guys wearing your wedding rings. I said if Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey could wear his, you could too.
Turns out there’s a few more guys that wear their ring too.
Cousins is one.
Thanks to Footballguy Tony O'Berry for that one.
I get it that you San Francisco, Green Bay and Washington fans are a little worried and feeling sorry for yourself. Here’s some perspective.
Footballguy Chris Wautel sent me this bit: Tampa Bay had 63 total yards the entire first half...one more yard than Devin Hester had during his 12 second punt return touchdown.
Try that on.
New York Giant WR Victor Cruz caught a touchdown Sunday. It’d been 357 days since we’d said that as noted by Andrew Siciliano. Wow.
Bengals WR / QB Mohamed Sanu is rocking a career QB rating of 158.3 He’s now 4 for 4 with 2 touchdowns. That’s pretty good…
That defensive back has some explaining to do…
I cheer for any quarterback with a mohawk.
Apologies for the blurry pic but this was the best I could find. It’s amazing how wide open Cleveland QB Brian Hoyer can find his receivers when he runs five yards past the line of scrimmage to throw the ball…
Utah QB Travis Wilson might have made the best argument I’ve seen in a while for paying college athletes. Fortunately, he walked off under his own power.
I’m with Deadspin on this one. Derek Carr, please stop doing that with your tongue.
You don’t want to be Michael Jordan tongue wagging when a hit like this happens.
I missed this one earlier and I’m not sure how it got past me as it just screams “Random Shots”.
Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs had these shirts made before the Steelers game.
Break up the Bengals…
If there was ever a guy born to wear the Cincinnati uniform, it was Andy Dalton.
And if they ever do a remake of The Incredibles with human actors, Dalton’s a shoe in for Syndrome.
It’s just Johnny Manziel’s Heisman trophy wearing his Rolex…
Here’s a practical question. If you have a Heisman, do you just leave it out on the table? I mean how do you display a Heisman trophy in your house? And do you normally dress it up with watches like this? Hats? Little Browns Pet Jerseys?
Why do I wonder these things?
Here’s how good the Cardinals were Sunday. They blocked a field goal with nine players.
Cleveland fans basically have LeBron James and Johnny Manziel trick plays to hang on to.
And it was a SWEET trick play. Don’t talk to me about details like being legal…
So is it too much to ask a fullback who’s name I can’t spell to hold off on the LeBron James mocking after a touchdown?
I love Jay Gruden naming DeSean Jackson as a Captain for Sunday’s game with the Eagles. You think Jackson was fired up?
Me too.
Tensions were high for this one.
Nick Foles showed himself again to be a tough guy. You prefer the back of your quarterbacks jersey not look like this.
It was a good bit cleaner before this hit.
I like Erin Coscarelli on the NFL Network’s AM show. But this is a zillion dollar company. Is it too much to ask for a microphone transmitter smaller than a lunchbox?
Lions can’t catch a break.
Stephen Tulloch went for the Discount Double Check sack celebration and and blew out his ACL.
That sucks.
Of course the internet old timers went wild with Bill Gramatica references.
Nothing like getting an internet old timer fired up…
God Bless Cardinal Fan.
Sometimes no matter how you raise your kids, they just choose to go a different direction than you’d like.
You parents may be able to relate to this Eagle Dad.
Please tell me this ad ran in Denver…
You old timers like me feel like you’ve known ESPN’s Bob Ley since you were a kid. My world felt like it was upside down to see him rocking the beard.
I cannot wait to see if he gets a spot on Celebrity Jeopardy…
Thanks Jamie.
Linebacker James Harrison signed this week with the Steelers.
Harrison and Commissioner Roger Goodell have had a tenuous relationship over the years.
Regular Random Shots readers know I like few things more than Tom Brady left hanging on the high five.
Things became much more clear Sunday. Evidently, this phenomena starts at the top of the Patriots organization.
Sunday night, Brady had some words for Marky Mark.
Brady’s one of my favorite players but I fear we may be watching him turn to average right before our eyes.
He’s still got the swagger though. Ian Rapoport pasted this pic from Brady trolling Raider fans on Facebook before the game.
Brady also shared his college resume with us this week. You know he had to be wondering if he was going to need it after the fifth round of his draft.
Here’s what it’s like to be a Raiders fan. ESPN’s Bill Williamson pointed out: Giants running back Rashad Jennings has 68 carries for 286 yards this season. His former team, the Raiders as a team have 54 carries for 193 yards…
Thanks to Footballguy James Schneider for that one.
If there’s a guy in the league who should be wearing a mouthpiece, it’s Andre Ellington.
Dude has some teeth.
He’s no Steve Bisciotti. But I mean, who is?
Thank goodness this wasn’t one of the replacement refs…
An old one but a good one. Phil Simms struggles with tea.
I’m with NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus
Any reason to repost this picture is good enough for me.
Daryl Johnston misread the schedule and wore the “radio” jacket.
Note to Rams Jared Cook. Here’s how not to act on the sidelines after dropping a sure touchdown pass…
It didn’t take him long to come to his senses though.
It’s a well known fact among relationship experts that a 280 pound seven year veteran defensive end like William Hayes will help facilitate reconciliation…
Love him or hate him. This is Jay Cutler in a pic.
Like everyone else, part of the NFL’s draw for me is exceptional athletes doing remarkable things on the field. Everyone likes to see excellence.
But for me, the human struggle to overcome is more interesting. I may be the only one that feels this way, but this quick moment from the Monday Night pre game fascinates me. I could write a whole column on the story lines buried in this shot. Good stuff. I don’t know if either one of these guys have significant NFL days in their future. But I’m pulling for both.
Devin Hester, you are ridiculous.
And so was the taunting flag on this play.
Dan Patrick demonstrating one of the oldest maxims in history.
If you have great hair, you can wear whatever shirt you want with whatever tie you want.
For what it’s worth, the exact same rule exists for wearing whatever facial hair you want as long as you look like Brad Pitt…
This picture looks scary but isn’t as Bridgewater’s foot fortunately is not inside his cleats here.
Jaguar fans, get used to this look.
Sunday was the day for wide receivers turned quarterback. Arizona’s Ted Ginn, Jr. with nice form.
God Bless 49er Fan
When you’re Ben Roethlisberger, you hold the laces however you feel like.
I’m going to leave you with Anquan Boldin explaining his part of the story.
This face usually accompanies the phrase, “You see, what happened was…”
Hard Luck Awards for Week 3
Sometimes it's better to just not know...
That'll do it for this week, Folks. Thanks to Footballguy Doug Drinen, Joseph Hughes, Tony O'Berry, Matt Waldman, Erik Weinapple, David Dodds, Matt Cox, James Schneider and Tom Winkler for the help on this one. If you've got a Random Shot of your own, shoot me an e-mail at bryant@footballguys.com.
Thanks for playing along. I hope you make the most of whatever you're doing in your life. Love your neighbor and stick together.
