football players Archives

Written By Serena H

Yes! The regular football season kicks off this Thursday, September 4 and it’s about dang time. The first week is always exciting because every team is undefeated and filled with optimism. By next Monday, however, there will be some teams that we just know are going to be crappy the rest of the year (looking at you Buffalo Bills) and some teams that we know will be scary good (yes I’m talking about the New England Patriots). Whatever the case may be, 16 teams will be winners and 16 teams will have goose eggs in the L column.

There are plenty of intriguing match-ups to look forward to in week one. If the Atlanta Falcons can rebound from their dismal performance last year, I think their game versus the Saints should be a good one. The Saints defense improved greatly last year when they brought in Rob Ryan as the D coordinator. We’ll see if Matty Ice can sling it against a tough defense.

I’m pulling for Brian Hoyer to have a good game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, if for no other reason than I love rooting for the underdog. Since Pittsburgh’s overall performance has been underwhelming the past couple of seasons, Hoyer may just be able to pull off a win against their division foe. Even if he doesn’t get the W, but has a good showing, he may be able to keep Manziel off the field which is a plus as far as I’m concerned.

It’s probably going to be a terrible game but I am curious to see what happens in the tilt between the Redskins and the Texans. ESPN analyst Ron Jaworkski recently stated that quarterback Robert Griffin III’s mechanics have regressed, whereas the Texans don’t have a legitimate starting quarterback even though the job has been given to Ryan Fitzpatrick. I can’t help but to wonder if J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney will eat Griffin for lunch, or if Fitzpatrick will throw so many interceptions the Texans won’t be able to overcome them. Hmmm….we’ll have to wait and see.

Quite frankly I’m excited to see just about all of the games, because it feels like it’s been an eternity since the last echoes of the Super Bowl were heard. Will Eli and the Giants finally get comfortable in the “west coast offense”, will Peyton Manning lose to his old team, the Indianapolis Colts again this season, and will anyone bother watching the 2nd game of the ESPN Monday night double-header between the Chargers and Cardinals? We just don’t know yet, so tune in football fans to find out and welcome to week one of the regular season!

Coming up is a one of the saddest times of the year, cut down days. By August 26, NFL teams will have to cut their rosters down to 75 and then down to 53 by August 30. With that in mind, I wish I could cut Johnny Manziel, but since I’m not the General Manager of the Cleveland Browns that won’t be happening. But, I can tell you right now I’m sick of that kid already.

He scored a rushing touchdown and celebrated like he had just cured cancer. Dude, relax, not only is it preseason but there was nobody around you during your little seven yard jaunt. Plus, there happened to be 10 other guys on the field helping you score that touchdown. Take a very large dose of humble pie and study up on your playbook since, no doubt, your clueless fans will be clamoring for your presence on the field by week four of the regular season. You’ll want to be prepared for the debut of your, hopefully short and lack-luster career.

On a brighter note, Peyton Manning was called for a taunting penalty! Yes I know, how dare the refs call a penalty on the saint of the NFL. However, he did run 30 yards down the field just so he could talk dirty to one of the opposing players, and he didn’t care about getting a 15 yard penalty because there were only 5 seconds left in the half. So now we all know that Peyton Manning isn’t perfect (gasp)!

Speaking of quarterbacks, this was kind of a rough week for starting quarterbacks. Cam Newton ended up with fractured ribs and a contusion on his back while poor Sam Bradford tore his ACL and is going to miss the entire 2014 season. It’s injuries like this that make me wish we could bubble wrap our starting players to keep them safe. But this is football and every time a player steps on the field he knows there is the risk of injury and therefore, can’t allow the risks to prevent him from doing what he loves.

Maybe that’s why we love football so much, because we know when those players take the field they are going to leave everything they’ve got out there and the fans will get an exciting and action-packed game. The September 4 kickoff of the regular season can’t get here soon enough, bring on the glory of the gridiron!

football players

IT’S KICKOFF TIME!!!

Time to Trim the Fat