Author: Beka

Player Profile : Vick Ballard

I had to look up this kid’s name before I put it in the title of this player profile. That’s how little of a splash the rookie running back made in the draft (170th pick) and in the season so far.

But on Sunday, he scored his first touchdown of the season. And it just so happened to be the winning TD in the Colts overtime victory against the Titans. And it also just so happened to be one of the most amazing touchdown plays you’ll ever see:

Here’s what Ballard had to say about his breakout performance, as per Peter King:

“I knew I was going to dive for the pylon. I did it twice in college and didn’t make it. Once, I fumbled through the end zone. The other time, I got stopped […] just an inch or two away. This time, I knew I couldn’t run to the end zone. I was going to have to dive. When I jumped, somebody hit my legs, and I rolled over in air.

“I know the rule, you hit the pylon without going out of bounds, it’s a touchdown.”

Sure is! And a beauty at that.

Ballard is currently second on the depth chart behind Donald Brown. If he keeps playing like he did in OT on Sunday, he’ll have no trouble keeping that spot or potentially moving up in the ranks.

For a Mid-Day Laugh

I love good sports writers – those who are accurate, insightful, and respectful. But an added bonus is wit…and this comment from Mike Tanier about interim Saints head coach Joe Vitt has kept me laughing for days:

Vitt is an old-fashioned motivator, not an X’s and O’s guy; Drew Brees called him “one of those guys who just loves his players” this week, while Junior Galette said that Vitt “says everything with conviction.” “He could say, ‘Hey, the sky is black,’ and he’ll get you to believe that.” Vitt is apparently even more convincing at night.

Seriously…every time I think about it I crack up all over again. Well played, Mr. Tanier.

What To Know : After Week 8

Eight thoughts on Week 8:

  1. My mind continues to be boggled at the Jets refusal to use Tim Tebow in obvious offensive situations. No matter what his starting quarterback potential is, no one can deny that he was born to play on 3rd and short and in the redzone. It’s just what he DOES. And yet they continue to leave him on the sidelines when he could make a tangible contribution to winning games, something the Jets have not done much of lately. Even if they don’t want to start him at quarterback, at least use him effectively as a football player. (?!?!?!) (Or as Herm would say, YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME. Hello?!?!?!)
  2. The Colts are looking like the comeback kids. They won another game in OT this week (against the Titans) and since the AFC is particularly awful this year, they have a legitimate shot at being a real playoff contender.
  3. Unexpected thriller of the week: Dallas’ 24 point comeback in the second half against the Giants. It wasn’t enough to win the game, but it sure was one heck of an effort.
  4. Holy throwbacks, Batman. My eyes still hurt.
  5. The Eagles collapse continues to gain momentum. They just could not hold it together against the Falcons, who are steamrolling along at 8-0. More changes are sure to come, likely at the expense of Michael Vick.
  6. San Diego…what?! A 7-6 loss to Cleveland?
  7. Denver is in full swing under the leadership of Peyton Manning. Let’s just pause for a moment to consider how amazing a Broncos-Giants Super Bowl in New Orleans would be. The Manning brothers dueling it out in their hometown?! Doesn’t get any better than that. (Unless, of course, the Packers are in the Super Bowl.)
  8. Speaking of, a win is a win is a win. But the Packers just squeaking past Jacksonville doesn’t really bode well for them as it pertains to their former offensive prowess. They are decimated by injuries at it shows. Come on, bye week! Week 10 can’t come soon enough!

Wait…What Just Happened : Throwback Jersey

Perhaps you turned on your television and saw this yesterday:

photo credit : USA Today

You may have assumed that either a) you were watching a rugby game, circa 1940, or b) something catastrophic had happened to the color resolution of your screen. Rest assured, it was just the Steelers’ version of the recently popular “throwback” jersey: a jersey from an earlier era in the team’s history worn once a season to pay homage to days gone by.

However in the Steelers case on Sunday, it was more a case of days gone awry.

Oh my land, oh my word, oh my eyes. The horror.

I originally thought that the Bucs creamsicle throwbacks were the worst in the NFL.

photo credit : ESPN

But then the Broncos showcased their ode to the days of yore, and that was clearly worse.

Denver Broncos Throwback Uniforms

photo credit : boldpost

And yet, somehow, the Steelers eclipsed the barrier for bad. I mean, the socks are bad enough. Adding a jersey to the equation takes it to a whole new level. These were just visually scarring.

photo credit : USA Today

For a complete dissertation on the Steelers throwbacks, see this Uni Watch article.

But for a short dissertation:

Wow.

What To Know : Week 8

Here are the essential facts about week 8 in the NFL:

GAME OF THE WEEK: There are a bunch of noteworthy games on Sunday – Patriots vs. Rams in London (a geographic selection which never fails to confuse me) and the return of Joe Vitt as Interim Head Coach to the Saints in their night game in Denver – among them. But the big one to me is Giants at Cowboys: the classic NFC East battle. The Giants lost a shocker to the Cowboys on opening day of the season, but since then the roles have been reversed. The Cowboys have been frustratingly terrible and the Giants are coming off of multiple big wins in a row. However, you can never predict what will happen in a match up between these two teams. But you can predict the need for snacks ( see below) and a clearing of your schedule between 4:30 – 7:30pm.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Cam Newton. He came under quite a bit of fire this week for his downtrodden demeanor – both on the field and off – as it pertains to the Panthers losing streak. As many commentators have been wise to point out, this is the first time he’s actually lost and taken heat for it…ever. He’s always been on winning teams or been praised for his efforts. So he deserves a little time to adjust, but should probably speed up the process a bit to quiet the media and encourage his teammates.

(I find it ironic that he’s facing another QB famous for demeanor issues this week: Jay Cutler.)

STORYLINE TO KNOW: The unbeaten Falcons visit the floundering Eagles. Two big things to note here: 1. The Eagles are 13-0 under Andy Reid after the bye week. And this is the game after their bye week (excellent timing). 2. The Eagles fired their defensive coordinator, Juan Castillo, before the bye week, so there will be some first-time on-field adjustments to be made under a new coordinator, Todd Bowles. The Eagles are also playing at home, and the Falcons have not been overwhelmingly successful against the Eagles in the past.

So, all signs point to an Eagles victory. Which probably means the Falcons will win.

RECIPES TO MAKE:

(It’s halfway through the season…so let’s keep it healthy this week. Pace ourselves in preparation for the next 8 weeks.)

carrot chips

cinnamon and pear fruit leather

roasted rosemary walnuts

toasted almond guacamole with apricots

whipped feta with sweet and hot peppers

 

Have FUN Today!

Reason #723 why we love team sports and the fun people who play them:

photo credit : Josh Sitton

They remind us never to take life too seriously.

Greg Jennings may be struggling to get back on the field after a nagging groin injury (for which he will soon undergo surgery), but he was quick to get back at teammate James Jones after Jones filled his car with packing peanuts on Jennings’ birthday last month. Jennings returned the favor by removing the tires on Jones’ Chevy Avalanche…and giving it a new paint job.

Just a little reminder to have some fun today. Whether you are defacing your friends’ property or doing something less destructive, ENJOY life today! You’ll feel so much better if you do!