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
First things first. Happy Thanksgiving.
Seriously. I say this every year and I’ll say it again because it’s true. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all of us at Footballguys. Not sure how Holidays get much better than combining food and football and family and community.
I'm thankful for a zillion things - not the least of which is the fact you'll take a couple of minutes to hang with us and share the experience of a goofy week of observations from my twelve year old mental viewpoint.
I've long said Footballguys has the best family of readers in the world and I'll put them up against anyone doing anything. Bring it. You guys rock and I’m thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving Folks.
Much love.
Joe and the Footballguys Staff
Here's something I"m thankful for. That we live in a world where Bill Belichick Making A Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Videos are just one click away.
They're Random Shots Regulars now but the Carolina Spanish broadcast of Jaime Moreno and Luis Moreno, Jr. never disappoints. This week they call the Newton to Olsen touchdown. Click here for the video. So very, very, very, very good.
Here's where we are in late November. People are dropping Peyton Manning for Shaun Draughn. And feeling good about it. Things move pretty fast around here.
Thanks to Footballguy Chris Parker for that one.
So Johnny Manziel did this on his bye week. At the time of this video, he was set to be the starting QB on Monday Night Football.
Now he's the third string Quarterback for the Browns.
A few thoughts there.
First, If smart phones existed when I was 22 years old, I doubt I'd be here today.
Second, this made me think of the thoughtful article from Lindsay H. Jones written this past April as Manziel came out of rehab and began facing the challenges and "triggers" of the real world.
Third, I wonder how many Budweiser / Miller Lite ads the NFL will run this weekend?
And lastly. Just like we've been talking about with Greg Hardy, it comes down to whether you can play. After the Manziel video, the talk was all about "Franchise Quarterbacks don't get drunk".
Let's just say if you believe that, don't ever do a google image search for "drunk nfl quarterback"...
But here's the immediate question: ARE YOU READY for Matt Schaub vs Josh McCown on Monday Night Football?
I think I'm with Sheriff Ed Tom Bell...
Lots of people loved the picture of Odell Beckham Jrs cleats last week. Here's a much better shot from the Giants Instagram feed.
Stefon Diggs shows he's talented enough to make even a Purple / Orange / Lime Green combo work.
And of course, you can never go wrong with the tried and true Camo / Hunters Orange as worn by Cam Newton here.
KreativeCustomKicks is a fun Instagram follow if you're into this kind of thing. Which I know you are as this is the really important football stuff.. And thanks to Bleacher Report for some of these.
When I grabbed this screenshot, it first struck me as a "Mini Me" or "QB Factory" type thing.
But having thought about it for a second. I'd be just like Jimmy Garoppolo here. If you have the opportunity to learn from one of the All Time Greats, maybe the All Time Great, I'd be for following pretty much everything he did too.
Here's a tiny moment from Sunday but it's the kind of stuff I love. Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater left the game and backup veteran journeyman Shaun Hill ran out to the huddle. Seven year veteran wide receiver Mike Wallace immediately tapped him on the helmet. It was a calm "we got this" moment between two pros. The end result for the game obviously didn't go Minnesota's way but it was a nice exchange.
Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was fired last week. I'm torn on this as I love the guy. Mostly because he's what a fighter pilot calls a "target rich environment" when it comes to writing Random Shots. Fortunately, it looks like Ryan will continue to provide material even off the field.
On NFL Network's GameDay Morning, Ryan said he understood the change.
"Something had to be done," he said. "Right now the defense is ranked 33rd in the league and there's only 32 teams."
Ryan said the loss to Washington was the last straw.
(The Washington loss) "made my bye week into a bye-bye week."
But I love how he didn't pass the buck.
"I had a lot to do with it," Ryan said. "...Everything in New Orleans is being blamed on me including Katrina and I think it's a little farfetched. So the bottom line is this. I'll hold my head high and walk out into the sunset, but believe me, I'm coming back with a vengeance."
You can see Rich Eisen's reaction to the Katrina comment here.
Just Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston chatting pregame with ESPN's Josina Anderson. In 21 degree weather...
Don't let the sun fool you. Here's what the seats looked like a few hours before.
Fun story here. Footballguy John Enneking has a friend who's a lifelong Tim Krumrie fan. Krumrie was a two time Pro Bowl nose tackle for the Bengals and played his entire career in Cincinnati. The friend was wearing his jersey at the Monday Night Football game a couple of weeks ago. While tailgating, he heard someone yell out, "Nice jersey, Kid".
It was Tim Krumrie who came over and took pictures and signed the jersey. Sweet.
The Lions hired Rod Wood as thier new team president this week. Wood started things off with a bang dropping this nugget to reporters: “I would probably say I’m not qualified to run any other NFL team,” Wood said, “but I would say I’m qualified to run this one.”
I'm all about family. But this is what you get when Mr. Ford - Chrysler - Goodyear marries Miss Firestone - Buick - LeSabre and you let them start making decisions.
God Bless you Lions fans.
Tom Brady wins on and off the field. On Monday's it's throwing to Danny Amendola. In GQ magazine, it's pulling off the Sweatpants and Suit Jacket look.
"Alex Rodriguez does a ponderous men's magazine shoot and he's haunted forever as a real-life Zoolander. Tom Brady does a ponderous men's magazine shoot and everyone is totally cool with it. There's magic in that ability."
Well, maybe everyone except our friend Ed Tom that we visited earlier is totally cool with it. That's not how they roll in Terrell County...
On the other end of the style spectrum, we have Washington owner Dan Snyder with just one more example of how you should not tempt the "Look Good - Play Good" truth.
And JJ Watt called to say he wants his jacket back.
James Jones made a splash Sunday rocking a hoodie.
"I was warm," said Jones, who said he had never before worn a sweatshirt in a game. "I practice in it every day, as you guys know who are at practice. I was like, practice how you play. It was team-issued colors, so I felt kind of swagged up out there with it. So I'm like, let me go out there and play with it. I was just hoping nobody would grab me from the back because they might treat it like dreads. It kept me warm."
Former NFL head of officials Mike Pereira said it’s perfectly legal with regard to the uniform codes.
Jones smiled and said it was just swag.
"It's green, it's the right uniform colors and it's just Cali swag, man, to keep me warm," Jones said. "It's short sleeve, so hopefully I started something good, keep me warm."
Not to mention Jones and the Packers seemed to come back to life with this game. If I know anything about athletes and superstition, I'd expect to see Jones keep this look. And probably be joined by some other Packers.
I'm with Andrew Siciliano, this looks pretty weird...
Here's something a little interesting about Denver. Peyton Manning raised a few eyebrows when reports circulated that he didn't have a single conversation with quarterback Brock Osweiler during the week prior to last Sunday's game against Chicago.
From NFL.com: "NFL Media's James Palmer reported on NFL Network's TNF Gameday that Manning, who has been ruled out of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, hasn't attended any practices or meetings this week and hasn't had a single conversation about Sunday's game plan with Brock Osweiler, the fourth-year quarterback set to make his first career start."
Manning had this reply: “I’m not a coach for one thing,” Manning said. “And as I shared with (Osweiler), he’s probably going to have a lot of coaches this week, some that aren’t coaches either, that are going to be offering him tips or advice. So I told him that I am here for him as a resource if he needs me, but I’m not going to be one of those extra voices in his ear.”
Watching Osweiler execute coach Gary Kubiak's offense against Chicago, one has to wonder if this might not necessarily be a bad thing. Just ask Aaron Rodgers.
If nothing else, it's a chance to post my favorite Osweiler - Manning clip. With the Broncos leading 41-10 last year against Oakland, Osweiler thought he might finally see a chance to get on the field. Was not to be. Click the picture for video.
For the other end of the spectrum on how a starter acts when the backup plays well, check out Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls on the sideline Sunday.
And to be fair, it's not just Lynch. This whole team is fired up about Rawls. And for good reason.
This is one of my favorite photos of the year as the Seattle sideline reacts to Thomas Rawls bowling over Tramaine Brock. You know you've done something when even the guy handling the footballs notices...
Tony Romo was ready...
On a serious note, you think this team missed Romo?
This is a relatively small thing but indicative of the bigger picture. Early in the game Romo walked to the line, on the road in Miami, saw something in the defense, changed the play at the line and pointed directions to his guys, then audibled to a play that led to a nice completion for Dez Bryant. That's not a knock on Matt Cassel. That's a veteran QB with experience in this system tilting the odds in his teams favor.
Jerry Jones was asked if he was glad Romo was back:
Zach Ertz makes a lot of money playing football. Zach Ertz earns a lot of money playing football.
Those "negative 75" yard plays are tough to handle.
Unfortunately for Flacco and Ravens fans, this stat error was nowhere near the worst part of their day. Best wishes to Flacco for a full and speedy recovery from knee surgery.
Doug Baldwin, meet Eric Reid. Click here for video.
More starting QB / backup QB talk.
Here's what 10-0 looks like.
I bet the Men's Room pretty much empties when this guy goes in.
Kansas City nose tackle Dontari Poe is a 346 pound TD scoring machine. And yes Charcandrick West owners, Andy Reid does hate you.
Just give him time...
This picture's already had plenty of photoshopping. Might need to add a different hat if this keeps up...
Sign this referee up. Click here to see him outrun the player.
More Cam Newton winning on and off the field.
More Carolina - coach Ron Rivera is now on the Dab Train. Much to the delight of his players.
Although I think I'm with The Cauldron. When kickers start doing your celebration, it's pretty much over...
Lions note for you. "In the history of the NFL, a team has won while scoring 18 points a total of 56 times. It has been done multiple times in one season only 11 times. it has been done by the same TEAM in one season only 3 times (93 Chargers, 08 Colts, 15 Lions). The Detroit Lions are the only team in NFL history to win back to back games while scoring 18 points."
Thanks to Footballguy Curt Walz for that one.
Rams QB Case Keenum suffered one of most obvious cases of a concussion we've seen in a while. And was allowed to stay in the game. Click here for the video.
ESPN's Adam Schefter shared this NFL statement on Rams' QB Case Keenum: "Promptly after the conclusion of yesterday’s game, we began a review to determine the facts of the injury to St. Louis quarterback Case Keenum and why he was not removed from the game for the necessary evaluation by a team physician or the unaffiliated neuro-trauma consultant as required by our concussion protocols. We are continuing that review today, which includes discussions with the Rams and their medical staff, the ATC spotter, the game officials, our medical advisors and the NFLPA. In the meantime, prior to this week’s games, we will reinforce with all involved the need to ensure that these injuries are properly identified and addressed in a manner consistent with our protocols."
Translation: Throw as many names and positions and words on this as necessary.
This banner may not be original. But still a classic late November High School football move.
Athletes are sometimes criticized for their negative attitude towards fans. With bros like this guy, it's easy to see why. Click here for the video.
So weak. You could tell that peace sign backpedal move was a go to for him.
College Football note from the "What He Looks Like" feed.
Seeing Danny Amendola on the field for New England makes me think of the Throw Back Days for him in St. Louis. And Spikes Gone Wrong.
Thanks to @TheNFLHistory for that one.
Tom Brady wasted no time trolling Rex Ryan Monday Night. Click here for the video and make sure the speaker icon is not clicked off to hear the sound.
My favorite NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr didn't end the season exactly like he wanted to. But still celebrated in style. Click the picture for the video.
Wrapping this one up with some Thanksgiving Dinner advice. Family Gatherings can be tough sometimes as everyone has different opinions and beliefs. Just remember that one thing Unites Us All...
God Bless Adele.
That'll do it for this week, Folks. Thanks to Footballguys Doug Drinen, Clayton Gray, Keith Overton, Chris Parker, John Enneking and Curt Walz 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.
Peace and Grace to you. And Happy Thanksgiving.
J