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
Summary of Eagles - Vikings game...
This photoshop is just mean.
Thanks to Footballguy, and long-suffering Lions fan, Bob Henry for that one.
Disturbing news from New England. But explains the longevity thing...
Patriots Bring Up Young Rookie From Practice Squad To Provide Fresh Blood For Tom Brady
FOXBOROUGH, MA—Complimenting the first-year player for providing a valuable contribution to the quarterback’s needs, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed Wednesday that the team had brought up young rookie Travis Wofford from its practice squad to provide fresh blood for Tom Brady.
“He’s been a bit tired these last few weeks, and we think Travis is going to provide just the healthy, nutrient-rich blood Tom requires,” said Belichick, adding that the Patriots first instituted the process in response to Brady’s slow start to the 2012 season, and now transfuse the blood of seven to 10 rookies per year to ensure the 42-year-old quarterback’s circulatory system is constantly flush with the young blood it needs to perform at a high level.
“We’re excited for a guy like Travis to come up to the 53-man roster and take reps for a few days in between bloodletting sessions until his body is slowly drained of all liquid. Of course, we only want the highest-quality rookies who follow a strict diet and training regimen so that their blood is the healthiest. That means no junk food, no nightshades, and no taking days off. As long as we keep up the supply of rookies, Tom could easily play into his fifties.” Belichick added that the Patriots were already scouting a college wide receiver who could provide a nice pair of kidneys for Brady during the 2020 season.
God Bless the Onion. And no, Giants Fans, this isn't real. At least I don't think it's real...
Music Note of the Week. If you google "cool" and Slim Harpo's "King Bee" doesn't return, something's wrong with the algorithm.
This song's been covered a ton. Muddy Waters played a sweet version. The Stone Foxes did a cool and fuzzy take with a great video. And the Rolling Stones covered it long ago. But Mick Jagger even admitted, "I mean what's the point in listening to us doing ‘I’m a King Bee’ when you can hear Slim Harpo do it?”.
I think I'm with Mick.
@kylegoettelmann with the perfect caption: "You gosh darn sun of a gun if I had one more dang snap I’d beat y’all up all over the fiel ya hear me hoss?”
Throwback to 25 years ago when Deion Sanders accomplished one of the crazier athletic feats in history. From The Bleacher Report, "On October 11, 1992, Sanders and the Atlanta Falcons played the Dolphins at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, and then he flew to Pittsburgh to be with the Atlanta Braves for their National League Championship Series game against the Pirates."
That's rad.
Rock on, Prime Time.
I'm not advocating putting something in someone's drink. But this was funny.
I promise I'm not trying to pile on Miami. But...
Thanks to NFL Memes for that one.
Futbolguys Note. This kid looks like a future star.
Apparently, Eli Manning held a few things back from Daniel Jones...
My weekly (sigh), "I know Juju Smith-Schuster is killing you like he's killing me but I still love him" moment.
I hope you find someone who loves you as much as Juju loves playing Football.
Wisconsin is kind of ridiculous.
They went ahead and played the New Orleans - Jacksonville game. But let's be honest, as of 5:30 AM Sunday morning, this one was over...
This post didn't get nearly enough love...
Well played, England.
Just a year ago, things seemed much happier in Tampa Bay...
Christian McCaffrey, you're kind of ridiculous.
With that said, is the "Run toward the sideline then cut back to the middle of the field" juke more common this year? Not that it's any less impressive, but it seems Lamar Jackson and McCaffrey do this every week.
Raise your hand if you're feeling me here.
Hat Tip: Field Yates and Clayton Gray
I'm with Big Cat here. Hulk Hogan Guy may be running out of gas.
Bigger picture. I still think the England games aren't a good idea. But I love the fans.
I said a couple of weeks ago, if I'm Bruce Arians, I'm having Jameis Winston's vision checked. Florida State fans will tell you this is not new.
And my offer still stands - I'll move Winston to Random Shots QB1 if he gets a pair of Ricky Vaughns.
Here's Winston from last week. This has to be a thing.
Jacksonville's Jalen Ramsey was on the Inactive List again Sunday. I'm with my Buddy David Dodds in I thought they'd have a hard time trading a player with a chronic back condition.
As you know, the Jaguars traded Ramsey to the Rams on Tuesday.
My Buddy John Lee said he understood Los Angeles had plenty of excellent back doctors so he felt confident Ramsey could find his way back to the field soon.
Gardner Minshew Mania was on full display Sunday.
One thought after looking at 163 yards, no touchdowns and one interception: It takes more than a cool mustache.
I do like this guy though.
Russell Wilson looking like Moses in Cleveland.
Tyreek Hill is back.
And fantasy teams with Tyreek Hill on their roster are feeling it too.
They've had their share of struggles, but Odell Beckham doing the Baker Mayfield windmill was fun.
Jacksonville taking the dark jerseys at home and letting New Orleans wear their whites in the heat is why they can't have nice things.
This is something you don't see every day.
Stefon Diggs with the "safety".
Doug Pederson with the downside to gambling...
Live look in on the Washington - Miami game...
Maybe Grandpa is right about there's a reason players didn't used to try and hurdle tacklers on every play...
Or
The Titans benched Marcus Mariota and named Ryan Tannehill their Week 7 Starter.
I heard some Titans folks say, "It can't get worse".
I'm an optimistic guy. But it can always get worse.
The Arizona Cardinals get it.
Non-Football Note: How is this woman still alive?
Sometimes physical ability matters more than heart...
God Bless Kansas City Fans.
I love Next Gen stats. But I need them to tell me QBs are better when they have more time to throw?
Stefon Diggs, I need some answers here.
I think it's safe to say Tyreek Hill is healthy.
We're all in this together...
Thanks to Footballguy Fern Tremblay for the help with that one.
Random Shots QB1 this week: Devlin "Duck" Hodges.
But he's not all Duck Calls. This guy can play.
If you know me, you know Texas is my adopted second home.
I grew up there and it's a big part of who I am. I've spent this week in Houston and these Astros are fun to watch and the fans are top tier too.
Things I don't understand: How is the photographer somehow oblivious to the players he's photographing?
Life as a Chargers Fan. And their "home field advantage".
I hope they were nice to her. I know a lot of Pittsburgh fans and knowing them, I bet they were.
I will hand it to the Chargers staff though. Rick Rolling the mostly Steeler crowd with starting to play the unofficial Pittsburgh fight song "Renegade", then turning it into this.
Well played, Chargers.
Linebacker Zach Brown made some waves last week saying Kirk Cousins was the "weakest" part of the Minnesota offense.
Apparently, Cousins didn't get the memo.
And Brown didn't want to talk about it.
I had a few years in school that started like the Cowboys season...
God Bless you fans in Georgia.
Wrapping with some interesting news for the NBA...
NBA Now Requiring All Players To Stand For Chinese National Anthem
"NEW YORK, NY—In an effort to salvage its relationship with China, the NBA is now requiring all players to stand for the Chinese national anthem at the beginning of every game.
"The official song of the People's Republic of China, "March of the Volunteers," will be played at the start of all professional basketball games, whether at home or abroad. All players, fans, coaches, and employees will be required to stand and solemnly sing lyrics including the following:
"Millions of but one heart we run towards the Communist tomorrow!
Build our homeland, guard our homeland, and fight gallantly.
March on! March on! March on!
We, for tens of thousands of generations to come,
Hold high the Flag of Mao Zedong, march on!
"We hope this gesture of goodwill will show China that we love them and there is no need for our multi-billion-dollar deal to fall through," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "March on, Mao!" Silver then performed a soft jazz rendition of the tune and bowed low to the ground to show President Xi Jinping that he is very sorry."
Fortunately, this is from the Babylon Bee and it's a spoof. I think.
But Sports Illustrated posted this for real:
Easy there Sports Illustrated, with the "every other American business".
I realize Footballguys' Annual revenue is a rounding error compared to lots of "American businesses".
But let's not be confused. Some businesses do the right thing. Even when that's not the best short term business thing. Not every business takes the bootlicker position just for the money.
Actually, lots of businesses will do the right thing. It's also a good reminder for businesses and individuals to be careful who you "hitch your wagon to". Good advice for us all.
Thanks to Footballguys Keith Overton, Clayton Gray, David Dodds, Bob Henry and Fern Tremblay 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