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 NFL Sunday:
My answer...
I love it when a plan comes together.
You already knew Saquon Barkley was a great running back. He shows here he's a pretty good coach too.
Music Note Of The Week is some newer stuff from Houses. Fast Talk is a sad song with a sweet vibe. I dig it.
Darrell Waltrip lost his keys at the Titans game.
A few thoughts there.
1. I have no idea why I find that so funny.
2. I fully realize most don't.
3. I'm not even sorry about it.
4. At all.
Hang in there fellow Old Dudes. This guy made a 54-yard field goal Sunday.
Plus about a zillion before Sunday.
Derrick Henry posted 238 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 17 carries Thursday night.
If Ezekiel Elliott had matched Henry's production on his 28 carries Sunday, that would have been 392 yards and 6 touchdowns...
Ladies and Gentlemen, Jalen Ramsey.
Derrick Henry is a large fast man.
On the Ball Carrier Max Speed by Player Weight Matrix, Henry is what we in the business call "an outlier".
Here's a Bigger Image of the chart that's actually, you know, legible.
Classy move this week from Mike McCarthy.
As you know, McCarthy was fired by the Packers.
He responded by taking out full-page newspaper ads thanking Green Bay and the fans.
Here are some highlights from McCarthy’s message, from Gannett’s PackersNews.com site:
“It’s hard to articulate the impact this job had on me and my family. From the beginning, Green Bay has welcomed me with open arms. I met my beautiful wife Jessica here and raised our family of 5 children who will always call Green Bay home. Thank you for the immense outpouring of love our family has received this week and throughout our time here. This speaks to the quality of folks in the State of Wisconsin. Coach Lombardi said it best, ‘Green Bay is all about Faith, Family and Football.’
“The Green Bay Packers are a tremendous organization and I will always be proud of my time with the team. A special thanks to Bob Harlan and Ted Thompson who entrusted me in 2006 with an incredible opportunity to be the 14th Packers head coach. Titletown is the greatest football town in America. Representing this team was a privilege that I never once took for granted.”
"McCarthy thanked the players, coaches, support staff and the fans. He talked about the “unmistakeable pride” within the Green Bay Packers, and it’s “the Packers people and the pride they have for this organization that I will miss the most.”
"Then McCarthy, only a few days after being fired after weeks of criticism for the Packers’ losing season, finished with a final positive message.
“I wish nothing but the best for the Green Bay Packers moving forward.”
A 4-8 Atlanta team squared off against a 4-7-1 Green Bay team Sunday. Yeah, that's what we all predicted in September...
Thanks to Footballguy David Dodds for that one.
Packers interim head coach Joe Philbin burned his two challenges instantly Sunday and the internet did what you'd expect it to do. Howls and laughter at what a joke Philbin was/is.
Aaron Rodgers' comments after the 34-20 didn't seem to draw nearly as much attention. Shocker.
From the Wisconsin State Journal:
Said Rodgers: “Like I said in the locker room (to the team), Joe’s been a part of a lot of great wins around here. A lot of incredible moments over the years as an important part of what we’ve done, as the offensive coordinator. But it’s fun to give him his first win as the head coach. He’s a passionate guy, he really cares about the guys.
“He was in a tough situation this week with the change and trying to get the right messages across to get guys motivated at a time where we’re 4-7(-1) and most people expect us to maybe throw in the towel. And guys didn’t. Guys responded. I’m proud of them … but Joe deserves a lot of credit for the vision he set forth this week.”
Oh, those tricky Dolphins...
Adam Humphries with this week's version of "These Guys Make A Lot Of Money. These Guys Earn A Lot Of Money."
Bonus points for holding on to the ball.
I'm not sure what it is about Kansas City and hacking jerseys. I wrote this back in Week 1.
Jerseys are expensive. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Sunday we saw this.
And looking back at Week 1, I couldn't help but wonder how much fun Fitzmagic would have been this time of year...
Because Yukon Cornelius never gets old.
If you're Jensen, the center here, it's kind of awkward yelling that loud at your QB knowing where his hands will soon be.
Even better...
Thanks to Footballguy David Dodds for that one.
Baltimore Mood:
One benefit to owners/fans.
Thanks to Footballguy Clayton Gray for that one.
Cam Newton trolling the Dog Pound before Sunday's game.
Taysom Hill is not your average quarterback. He's also this week's NFC Special Teams Player Of The Week.
When defensive coordinators have nightmares, this is what they see.
You probably haven't heard yet but the finish to New England - Miami was crazy...
A High Tech View:
A Lower Tech (but sweeter) View:
The End Zone View.
Another angle of tight end/safety Rob Gronkowski trying to make the tackle.
I plead guilty to laughing at my own tweet here.
Kenyan Drake's take:
Close-up of Drake/Gronkowski
Kenyan Drake with the hero's welcome in the locker room.
And Ryan Tannehill was all of us.
Baker Mayfield may be a rookie but his ball handling skills are legit.
More toe-tapping goodness from JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Tyron Smith is a big guy. As in so big he has to use a knee brace for his elbow.
A few more points on the Patriots-Dolphins game.
And by "Jumbo", I mean Jumbo.
Sports Illustrated has named the Golden State Warriors their Sportsperson of the Year.
Patrick Mahomes II, you're still kind of ridiculous.
An even better angle:
The real angle:
Todd Gurley cut right to the chase.
As if you needed one more reason to not get cute at the goal line.
Thanks to Footballguy David Dodds for that one.
It's difficult to grip the football on a cold night. Even harder without the laces.
Sub-Optimal field conditions in Miami.
Santa on fire.
Wrapping with this one.
I'm working on a deep and complicated theological / life construct.
It's called "Act Like You Give A Damn." Actually, it's not deep or complicated. The title is pretty much the whole thing. But I couldn't believe in it more strongly.
Here's an example from the soccer world earlier this year.
"Dutch professional soccer player Virgil Van Dijk embraced referee Ovidiu Hategan at the end of the Netherlands' draw with Germany after learning that the official's mother had recently died.
"Just moments before the final whistle, the towering center back lashed home an equalizing goal to send his country into the 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals. Rather than celebrate with his fellow teammates, Van Dijk was filmed approaching Hategan, who had gone about his refereeing duties despite his recent family bereavement.
"The Liverpool defender embraced Hategan and was filmed sharing a few quiet words in the ear of the Romanian referee.
"After the match, Van Dijk explained what was said between himself and Hategan.
"He told me his mom recently passed away. He broke down and started crying. I consoled him and told him he refereed well. Its a small thing, but I hope it helped" he said, as per the Daily Mail.
"I wished him strength and said that he had done well."
I don't know anything about Virgil Van Dijk. But I know he took a few seconds to show some empathy and kindness towards another human. And my guess those few seconds had a huge impact.
He acted like he gave a damn.
Well done Virgil Van Dijk.
The question I've got for you is this: Will you do the same? I hope you will. Because here's the thing. You don't have to be a soccer star to make a difference. You just have to act like you give a damn.
Thanks to Footballguys Keith Overton, Clayton Gray, 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
