For the love of the game
Last Sunday, The Freak was on the sidelines coaching the first bunch of 10- and 11-year-olds to play atom tackle football on P.E.I. in over 30 years.
This was their first tackle game of their young careers. What was truly magical about the afternoon was not the return of football itself after all these years, but seeing the huge smiles on the players’ faces after the game.
These kids could not have cared less that they lost the game, but they had so much fun playing football for the first time.
So how does this relate to last week in the NFL?
Well, The Freak watched the highlights of the PatsTitans game, and only two years ago this guy was the best running back in the NFL. He ended this game with four yards on 11 carries. This player is Titans running back Chris Johnson. From the highlights The Freak saw, this guy has absolutely no motivation after getting a big contract last year.
The old Johnson would run the ball hard, and would hit those holes with some authority and fire. Sunday, he would stop in the hole if it wasn’t big enough, and wouldn’t even try to bounce those plays to the outside to utilize his world-class speed. Johnson should be ashamed of his performance, and really could learn a thing or two from these atom players. These young atoms obviously play for the love of the game, and don’t get the big cheque.
If Johnson could play with some of their passion they exhibited on Sunday, he might again become a top back in the NFL. Stat of the week You heard it before, but if your favourite NFL team starts 0-2 they have a less than 13 per cent chance of making the playoffs. So, to those 16 teams at 0-1, your season is on the line this week. It’s funny how one win in Week 1 can bring many fans out of the woodwork and onto the bandwagon. Fans in New York now think the Jets are one of the best offensive teams in the league, and are Super Bowl bound.
How about all these local Dallas Cowboys fans?
The Freak never received so many messages and texts after only one Giants’ loss. But hey, when you beat the Super Bowl champs on the road, a divisional rival, even The Freak might fire off a text to rub it in. Coach Parcells quote of the week “No matter how much you’ve won, no matter how many games, no matter how many championships, no matter how many Super Bowls, you’re not winning now, so you stink.” The sure thing Some things never change, and in the NFL the one thing that hasn’t changed is the Cleveland Browns are bad again.
The Bengals will easily win their home opener over the brutal Browns.
The Pats, in their home opener, face the Cardinals, who escaped with a win over the Seahawks. Kevin Kolb will start behind centre for Zona, which spells big trouble, and the Pats have some guy called Tom Brady, who is pretty good. Take Pats in a blowout.
Houston looked strong last week, but then again that was Miami.
They face another Florida team in the Jags, who are a little better than the Fish. Jacksonville plays tough with MJD running well, but in the end the Texans again beat up on the Sunshine State. Don’t mortgage the house picks This game is being dubbed the “Handshake Bowl” after last year’s whining by Lions coach Jim Schwartz, who went after 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh after he shook his hand too hard. San Fran looked great last week, and now the Lions have to make the cross-country trip and play on grass. That won’t matter as the 49ers will physically beat up the Lions and win. As for Schwartz, will he shake Harbaugh’s hand again?
Are you sold on the Jets? If you are then you will be picking them over the Steelers in an upset. The Freak doesn’t see this happening as quarterback Mark Sanchez will make a big mistake at a big moment. Take the Steelers.
The Ravens looked great on Monday night, and the Eagles did not look so great against the Browns. However, the Green Birds head home to their friendly nest, where they are tough to beat. This will be a physical war with Mike Vick making one more play than Joe Flacco. Take Philly.