I tried to post this before, but I guess Fox is doing some updates....
I know that I have been absent and have not been able to participate in my favorite pastime, well my second favorite, lol! I am working a shift that is not allowing me to blog, but now that I have my actual days off I will try to get out a blog or two. The days will be Tues. and Wed.
I am unable to watch my 'Skins, but I do listen to the game...GRRRR! Remember, this is the best time of the year for football, but it is almost over and I am sure you all hate that as much as I do!
I miss you all very much, and miss reading your blogs. I promise I will be catching up this upcoming week. So I am sending you BIG HUGS and all that "Girly" stuff!
First I would like to say that I was surprised by the overwhelming support and love from the entire NFL community in my last post. Each comment, for the most part, was consumed with grief, love and understanding for Sean and the entire Taylor family.
I want you all to know that your condolences and love for the Redskins Nation where cathartic and a step towards healing.Thank each and everyone of you! I will continue to pray that you will never know this pain...
I have been so overcome with sadness and grief since Tuesday and many people within my world, outside of family and friends, just could not wrap their minds around why I would feel this loss so personally. At first it was tolerable, but for those who do not understand and believe it to be silly, I truly have come to feel sorry for.
I have been a very lucky girl to have loved a team that is very geared towards their fans. Most teams around the league put their fans last and I think that is a shame. The Washington Redskins have always made sure that their fans are placed at the top, as they know how much we love our 'Skins! It does not matter what team is yours. All I am saying is that once you take a team into your heart they become your family and you truly bleed their colors. You protect and cherish your true family, be it blood related or blood brothers. When one goes down, we all go down.
I would like to address the fact that Sean Taylor has been raked over the coals since this tragedy, and I sick of it. Instead of focusing on a young man, who yes made mistakes in his youth as we all have, should have been respected as he had changed his life for the better over the past year and a half since his daughter was born.
Now I know there are you out there that disagree with what I am saying, but is life not about learning from your mistakes and moving forward? How many of you changed your ways once your children were born? I would be willing to say a good percentage of you did. I can assure you I did.
So for now I would like for the media, people who are intolerant, and simply those who feel the need to hop on the blogs and put up shock comments to upset people, to step back and look back over your own life and come to me and say you have been perfect. Because of my faith I know that not one single person on the face of this earth can make that claim.
Let Sean rest in peace and know while he is looking down on his child, that he was remembered for what he did for his daughter, and for his outstanding performances on the field, be it at the U, or with the Redskins...
For those of you who do not have a good source of access to the Washington Redskins there are a few things that are being overlooked. I know that the media has played short clips of players, coaches and fans grieving, but for those of us who are able to have access to more info with the team we have seen much more grieving from within the Redskins organization.
I briefly want to touch on those who are most devastated by the loss of this great safety. Clinton Portis was the closest to this quiet and reserved young man, and has not been able to enter the locker room due to the fact that his locker is right next to Sean's. Sean's locker has been sealed with Plexiglas to be forever left exactly as it was the last time he was in it.
Santana Moss, as well, is having difficulties, but he has come out and said that he knows that Sean himself would have mourned had it happened to another player, but come game time he would have laced up and played hard for his lost teammate.
Both Portis and Moss played at the U with Sean, and though they are both on the opposite side of the ball, they were very close with Sean and proud of the changes he made in his life. Coach Gregg Williams who had a close relationship with Sean seems to be crushed.
The Taylor family made an emotional trip up to FedEx Field and behind closed doors, without any media, Sean's Dad addressed the entire staff, players and ALL who worked with Sean. He told them that Sean would not have wanted them to cancel any game. Instead he would want his teammates to take that field and play.
After that they made a heart wrenching trip to Sean's home in Northern Virginia, and from there they flew back to Florida. My heart goes out to them, as I know how it feels to walk into the home of a loved one and see that the home seems to be waiting for your loved ones to come back through the door.
Sean was a Father, Son, Grandson, Friend, Teammate and a Washington Redskins Safety who was one of the best in the league. He has now gone home to be with Christ. I know he is the better for it, though we will always be left with the thought of what could have been....
It has been a policy of the Redskins to never retire a jersey. Instead they have the ring of honor. Well to those who make the decisions on what to do with number 21, I would like to issue this plea....
We have lost the heart of our defense and in order too never forget Sean, please break the rules this once, and retire # 21. Let us honor Sean's memory in a way that our team never has done before.
The # 21 should become the eternal "Twelfth Man" so that he can still lace up and take the field, though we may not see him, let us hear him through every Redskins fans cheers...
On Sunday I will stand with my blood brothers as they take the field with a heavy heart and tears running down my face. What I am sure of is that Sean WILL be there in spirit as the Washington Redskins take the field for their first time at home in three weeks. I send them great love and prayers for inner peace when they play the Bills. Sean will be there beside each one of you!
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS... HAIL VICTORY... BRAVES ON THE WARPATH... RETIRE 21 FOR OUR BELOVED SAFETY!
God bless each of you. Please remember to never take a loved one for granted, because this year has taught me far too many times that saying I love you later is not guaranteed.
RIP SEAN... 21 FOREVER! You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten...
AS A FAN I AM DEVESTATED, AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW HIS FAMILY FEELS AND HOW HIS TEAMMATES AND COACHES FEEL.
GOD BLESS SEAN AND HIS LOVED ONES. I CANNOT WRITE ANYMORE, AS I AM TOO UPSET.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET # 21!
WE LOVE YOU SEAN!
As most of you know by now, the Washington Redskins were alerted to devastating news in the early hours Monday morning. Our most talented safety, Sean Taylor, was shot in his home by an intruder after hearing noises coming from his living room.
Upon him and his fiance hearing the noise, Taylor reached for a machete that he kept under the bed, and then proceeded to lock his bedroom door to protect him, his fiance and his eighteen month old daughter who was also asleep in the room.
Just as he locked the door it was kicked in and two, from what I have heard, shotgun blasts erupted. One hit Sean in his leg, severing his femoral artery. The other, thankfully hit the wall. According to information released, ALL land-line phone connections had been cut in Taylor's home. When his fiance finally crawled out from under the blankets, she immediately contacted 911 around 1:45 am on her cell.
Once emergency services arrived at the home, Sean had already lost a tremendous amount of blood. His eyes were rolling in the back of his head, and his breathing was labored. He was immediately airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he flat-lined twice.
He was rushed into emergency surgery for over seven hours today, and is now in the Critical Care Unit where there has been some good news this evening. According to Cerrato, Taylor was able to respond to Doctors asking him to squeeze their hand and squint his eyes. He has responded to his Mother as well.
There is still much to be concerned about though.... With the amount of blood lost, as well as the lack of blood and oxygen to his brain, doctors fear that he could possibly suffer lifelong brain damage, the loss of his leg, or possibly death.
With a long night a head for him and his family, friends, teammates and all fans, I can assure you that Sean is surrounded by many prayers.
When Redskins players arrived at work this morning, for what they thought was to be a review of the game against Tampa Bay, were instead ushered in with Coach Gibbs, the entire coaching staff, Daniel Snyder and a Chaplain. Learning the news about Sean devastated the whole team.
Snyder took several players down to Florida to be there with Sean and his family by lending their support. There have been candlelight vigils held in many places in the D.C. area, as well as the numerous states that surround the Washington Redskins. Just like many teams, Redskins fans are extremely loyal, and speaking for myself, I have been out of sorts all day due to the fact that a family member is so severely injured.
I am sure that most are all aware that Sean has had issues in the past with the law ,but Taylor has become a changed man since the birth of his daughter Jackie a year and a half ago. According to 'Skins Tackle Chris Samuels, he approached Sean letting him know how proud he was to see such a positive change in Sean. Samuels also had a long conversation with Coach Gibbs, where they both agreed about the positive turn around in Sean both on and off the field.
Sean injured his knee three weeks ago in the game against Philly and has been rehabbing up in FedEX. But due to a previous break in eight-days ago Taylor may never return to not only the game, but to a normal life if he survives.
COMMENTS FROM REDSKINS TEAMMATES, COACHES AND OWNER:
"This is not just a member of the Washington Redskins," fellow safety Pierson Prioleau said. "But we're talking about a dad, a brother, a friend of ours, and that's where we're at with this right now."
"For all of us here, we are obviously in shock," Gibbs said. "I know I can't put it into words. I wouldn't do a good job of explaining how we feel. I know all of our fans out there are praying. "All of us are emotional and caught up in it. We are praying for the absolute best for Sean and his family."
DANIEL SNYDER: "On behalf of the Redskins, the players and everyone here at the Redskins, our hearts and prayers go out to Sean and his family. A group of Redskins and I are on our way to Miami now. "I really don't have any details other than what everyone else has been reading and reporting. Our hearts and prayers are with Sean and his family."
As coach and player, Gregg Williams and Sean Taylor bonded immediately. So it was with a heavy heart that Williams spoke with reporters about Taylor's shooting injury on Monday, in an emotional media session at Redskins Park:
"From a fiance standpoint and him being engaged, from a son's standpoint, from a grandson's standpoint in his own family's eyes, for me I have had an inner smile go on with me as I have seen him grow here and see him change dramatically for the good.
"The power of prayer is very powerful and all of us here, Redskins fans, the media, all of us--we need to get on our knees and say a prayer for him.
"Whether he plays again, I don't know. If he does, great. If he doesn't, great. I just want him to recover. I just want him to be all right."
Clinton Portis, one of Sean Taylor's closest friends, spoke to the media on Monday morning and discussed the ongoing situation involving Taylor:
"It's an unfortunate situation," Portis said. "It's hard. How can you deal with it? It's hard. There's nothing we can do. All we can think about is if he had been with us on the flight to Tampa, if he was at the game with us, then he would not have been in that situation.
"At the same time, you can't divert or change God's plan. Sean is a tough guy and I believe he will pull through this."
"Ever since Sean had his little girl, it was like a new Sean," Portis said. "He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child. It was good to see Sean walk by smiling. "Now all of a sudden, his back is up against the wall, our backs are up against the wall."MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS...
I had just put on my shoes and was making my way into the living room to grab my purse to leave for work, when my eyes locked on to the TV. It was on Fox News and I saw Sean Taylors face, but everything seemed to become suspended into slow motion.
Within a second, it connected in my brain and I dropped to me knees on the floor. I could not believe what I was seeing. I picked up the phone and called my Mom, who once she was able to speak, or should I say sob, told me she had to go and find a TV there at work. I then called my Husband, who was so silent, it left me to wonder if the call had been dropped. I called out his name and he barely responded. He had to go as well to get to a TV.
In my car I frantically searched all of Sirius until I found some info on Sean. I then prayed all the way to work. People at work, I think, finally got the fact that the Redskins are very important to me.
I periodically checked his status throughout the day, and was glad to get home this evening to get some good news about the movements and responses. Since then my TV has not left the NFL Network and ESPN. My computer pages are FOX and redskins.com.
In closing I just wanted to voice how odd I find it that someone broke into his home eight-days ago, leaving a kitchen knife on his bed. Also the fact that he had his family and friends staying there when this occurred. Where were they when all this went down, and why did whoever did this know to go strait to Sean's room and kick open the door?
I truly believe that someone on the inside of this home allowed, or participated in this. All phone lines were cut??? Where was the security alarms and why did they not go off and alert someone?
These are just some of many questions I have. I would like to know what you think, but please be respectful, as Sean's life is hanging in the balance....
God Bless you Sean ! Stay Strong and I am praying for you!HAIL TO THE REDSKINS...#21
~Ang
**Latest Update**
"Sean was not responding well to blood transfusions and things were going in the wrong direction when totally out of the blue he woke up," the source said. "Anything can happen at any time, but the phrase now being thrown around is cautious optimism. Before the guy was slowly passing away. Now, he's slowly getting stronger."
As many of you know I had to drop out of the finals of Mike Greenspires' 1st Annual Blogger Comp. I want you all to know how very much it killed me to do that. It was a tough decision, one that i struggled with for quite some time. But clearly KSP113, or Kev as I call him, did a fantastic job and was most deserving of being crowned winner!
Just to briefly let y'all know why things ended that way, I will explain....
This year has been the worst year my family has ever faced. On February 1st, my Nanny passed away unexpectedly. She was the matriarch of our family. Two days later I came home from buying a picture frame befitting my beautiful Grandmother to find that my oldest yellow lab was dying. We had to take him to the Vet to be put down.
Devastated was not even a word close to what I, my husband and my children were feeling. Little did we know it was far from over....
Five days later was the funeral for my Nanny, and we noticed that my Grandfather (Poppy) was not acting himself. And of course we all assumed it was because he had just lost his wife of over 50 years....
One day later my Poppy was rushed to the hospital due to hallucinations and pain. It was there at the hospital we found out that he had stage four cancer. We were told that he would not last more than six months. It had already spread to his brain and other areas. This was difficult, because my Pop was such a great man. He retired as Navy Chief in 1971 and twenty years later retired as a Civil Servant. But that was not the only thing that made him special....
Back in the 50's he met my Nanny and fell madly in love with her and her three young daughters, my Mom being one of them. They married in '56 and he adopted my Mom and her two sisters, and never one time in his life did he say these were his adopted daughters. No, these were HIS GIRLS! My Mom and her two sisters never speak of their biological father and have never looked for him, because they had a true Daddy, as they called him.
Now here is where I have to tell you the hardest blow too all of us. My Nanny and Poppy had two sons in the '60's, Jimmy and Jay. Jay loved his parents and our family home. He stayed with them and always cared for both of them, especially in these past ten years.
When my Nanny passed away he was crushed as we all were, but more so because she was not there at home where she was supposed to be. Then he found out his Father too would not be with us much longer.
Now I have to say that back in February when my Poppy was in the hospital, Jay caught my eye, as he was walking along the hallway looking lost. You see Jay and I were only eight years apart, and he and I were more like Brother and Sister than Uncle and Niece. Well while he was walking I called out to him, and he turned around and shuffled his way back to me. I walked to him and we hugged each other so tight and I looked him in the eye and told him how much I loved him. He told me the same, both of us crying....
My friends that would be the last time I would see my beloved Jay Bird alive. On February 22nd he was found on the couch in the room where my Poppy was sleeping in his recliner not breathing.. He could not be revived .
At the young age of forty-two he went home to be with Jesus and my Nanny. John (Jay) Patrick Byrne was laid to rest beside his Mom three weeks to the day she was laid to rest. He is now my "Free Bird" which was one of our favorite songs.
My poor Poppy had to be told he lost his baby, as Jay was the youngest on top of losing Nanny and knowing he too was not long for this world. Every ones focus shifted to my Poppy, and God love him he fought as hard as he could, and at one point he was putting on weight and seemed to be gaining strength. But on Fathers Day he took a turn for the worse and finally on July 17Th he too went home. All three of them had passed away in the house that we have all called home for more years than I have been on this earth.
I have to also say that in between those loved ones passing away, we lost a cousin on my Mom's side, and my Dad lost his oldest brother. My Mom's cousin and my Uncle were the same age and both passed away from their hearts being too large.
Now on top of all of this, the home that has been a family member as much as any single one of us is being made ready to sell, because my Poppy wanted my Mom and her siblings to have some money to make their lives more comfortable, though I truly believe had he known that they would have rather kept the house....it would not have ended up this way.
This weekend my Mom was rushed to the ER and she was told she is very sick with COPD and Emphysema as well as Bronchitis. Now they are testing her for numerous other things. She also has Lupus.I am so scared. I cannot lose her as well. She is my best friend! If you think I am a Redskins fan, boy can she teach me a few things!
I wanted you to know why I had to back out here at the end. Having to get my Grandparents home cleaned out, which was something I hope no one ever has to go through, though I am sure many of you have and will at some point.
But,
I want to leave you all with this....My family was blessed because we had each other for many years. The only death that had occurred in my family up until now was my Great Grandfather passed away back in 1980. I was able to have my Nanny and Poppy until I was thirty-five years old, but my oldest Son Ben, who was the first Grandson and Great Grandson was able to have his Great Grandparents until he was seventeen.
Like I said, we were blessed. Just remember that tomorrow can change everything in your world, so please love your family and MAKE SURE they know how much you need and love them!
I will be back soon my friends, and thank you all for the support I received from all of you through the competition and on all of my posts! This is for you Uncle Jay.....HAIL TO THE REDSKINS! HAIL VICTORY......BRAVES ON THE WARPATH! FIGHT FOR OLE DC!
After a weekend that all Redskins' fans would rather soon to forget, a bright light has shined down on former Redskin Greats! Thank you FoxSports for having a preview on the front page that immediately drew me in because of my Hero Darrell Green.
Darrell is eligible this year, as it has been five years since his retirement. Wow, that blows my mind. His last game was on my thirtieth birthday, and I cried. I am not shamed to admit that I cried buckets! Darrell honored us all by doing a lap around FedEx Field and then he gave a tear filled speech. We miss you Darrell!
After I read the article here, I went to check out the HOF's homepage. I pulled up the 2008 Preliminary Nominees and I was shocked and delighted to find that thirteen plus retired Redskins players have been nominated.
Redskins Players nominated:
Darrell Green
Gary Clark
Henry Ellard
RussGrimm
KenHarvey
Joe Jacoby
Jim Lachey
Wilber Marshall
Mark May
Art Monk
Andre Reed
Joe Theisman
Doug Williams
Ernie Zampese
These men are some of the finest football players to ever play in the National Football League, and many of them should have been inducted long before now. The most recognized case of being overlooked is that of Wide Receiver Art Monk.
I was in a local sports store in Lynnhaven Mall called Tidewater Sports on Friday and there was a shirt in there that was on display. It was for getting Art Monk in the HOF. Here in Tidewater there have been a lot of unhappy grumbles over Art being passed over time and again.
Will this finally be the year that Art is inducted? I am not sure. Art Monk has never been one to cater to the media. During his time in Washington he never really made time for the local sports writers and that is what has done him in for the past classes of the HOF.
It was not that Art felt he was above the media. It was that he is a private family oriented kinda guy. He was interviewed two weeks ago on Comcast Sports while leaving a golf game, and he said that he really hardly ever watches sports on TV. He said he is not a sports fan. Now I thought that was rather odd, but then he said that his love of sports came from playing. That I understood.
Purity of the game seems to mean so much to him. He was asked if it has bothered him that he has been passed over for the HOF, and he answered simply, "No." Most would think yeah right! But, he went on to say that if it is meant to happen, it will. That is class!
Now let me tell you about another Redskin great, Gary Clark. Gary is the best Redskins player I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Long story short....
2006- 1st. Annual Virginia Beach, Redskins Beach Blitz my Mom and I stood hours in line to get a chance to meet current and former Redskins' players. When we got to the front, the guard closed the line. My Mom and I pleaded to no avail. Gary Clark was getting up to leave and my Mom yelled out to him. We were back behind the rail, but he heard her. So we got louder calling his name, and he kept staring at my Mom and me in a line of hundreds. My Mom held up her helmet and mouthed, "Please?"
Gary Grinned and jumped the rails. You should have seen the security guards go crazy, lol. Gary got caught up in the mix of all the people waiting, but he was steadily making his way to us. When he finally stood in front of me and flashed that beautiful smile I became star struck.
He asked me what I would like for him to sign and I could not find my voice. My Mom finally elbowed me and I stuttered, "My Hat?" LOL! I leaned over and he signed the hat on my head. My voice finally came back, and I asked for a hug. He gave me the biggest, friendliest hug. When he pulled back, his Super Bowl ring was right in front of my eyes. I reached out and took his hand. He did not seem fazed and let me look at it. Okay, I had tears in my eyes because it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
I introduced him to my Mom, and these were his exact words, "I know. She is the reason I came out here. I just felt like I could not let her down." He looked at my Mom and me and said, "I have always been able to tell who is a real Redskins fan!" OMG! We were in Hog Heaven!
This year I was not able to go because I was sick, but my Mom went. She was able to get up to the table this time. When she stood in front of Gary she said, "I bet you don't remember me!" He said, "I bet I do! You got me in trouble last time." He was laughing. My Mom said, "I bet I can get you in trouble again! Gary said, "No you can't!" My Mom said, " You see that lady standing there where they cut everyone off? She is nine months pregnant and has been waiting to see you and they would not let her in." Gary flashed a grin at my Mom and said, "Your right, you did it again!"
He jumped up on the table, and the fans went wild. He looked at my Mom winked and disappeared into the crowd!
That my friends is one of the many reasons why I love my Washington Redskins! Every single guy that has been nominated has the same kind of heart and love for their fans. I am so proud of them, and this may finally be the year of the Redskins in Canton!
Caught in a storm of a media glare the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins are being scrutinized for very different reasons. Throughout this article I am not going to rehash every game that has brought the Patriots to their now (7-0) record, and I am not going to reopen the wounds of the seven losses for the Miami Dolphins. No what I am going to do is try to answer the question, "What is More Likely... Patriots (16-0) or Dolphins (0-16)?" to the best of my ability....
In order to gain perspective for this subject, one has to actually delve into both teams remaining schedules, injuries, stats and what actually counts the most, in my opinion, heart and determination. And while there is also no doubt that the halfway mark should count for something, I have always found that "Any Given Sunday" and constantly being an "Underdog" can completely change everything. . . .
THE (7-0) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS:
We all know how this season started for the Pats and their beloved head coach Bill Bellichick. But just in case you were stuck in a dungeon or orbiting the Earth, let me quickly catch you up.
In Week One, during the game against the Jets, it was brought to the attention of the entire Free World, that the New England Patriots were caught filming signals being called from the Jets sideline. And much to the dismay of Patriots fans, and to the delight of Patriots haters, the NFL fined both the team and Bill Bellichick. Many teams around the league rumbled about some of the same activity occurring while they too played the Patriots, but it seemed that only a monetary fine and loss of draft picks was in order.
Many thought that with the Patriots being branded "Cheaters" they would fall by the wayside. But, as it turned out, the money was an insignificant small price to pay for a team who would go on to become (7-0). If anything, this brief blip made this team, who has already become a Dynasty, even more determined to prove that they are still the elite, creme de la creme of the National Football League.
With a combustible combination of Tom Brady, a completely changed Randy Moss, and multitude of talented receivers, running backs and tight ends to throw to, they have found a chemistry that propelled the Patriots onto one victory after the next. On average the Patriots are scoring (39.9) points a game. Tom Brady seems poised to surpass Payton Mannings record of forty-nine touchdowns set back in 2004. As of this moment, Brady has already thrown twenty-seven touchdown passes, and it seems to be a very good possibility that he could finish the season above the sixty TD mark.
With such perfection coming out of New England, one would have to give serious thought to the possibility that the Patriots could be the team to finally go through a season undefeated since the '72 Dolphins. Still this is something that has not occurred in almost thirty-five years. The reason this record has not been tied yet....it is almost an impossible accomplishment in today's computerized NFL.
With the advanced equipment that is used to study each player's strength and weaknesses, it is very probable that the Patriots will run into an opponent who will find a way to stop them. So far this season the Patriots have yet to truly face a tough defense. A defense that will put significant pressure on Brady and shut down their passing game as well as their running game. What will happen then? Will Tom Brady be able to maintain that same level of composed consistency? Will Moss be able to get out in the open, down field when Brady airs it out? I think these questions and many more will be answered over the next two weeks.
Remaining games left on Patriots Schedule:
Week 8- WASHINGTON at NEW ENGLAND
Week 9- NEW ENGLAND at INDIANAPOLIS
Week 10- BYE
Week 11- NEW ENGLAND at BUFFALO
Week 12- PHILADELPHIA at NEW ENGLAND
Week 13- NEW ENGLAND at BALTIMORE
Week 14- PITTSBURGH at NEW ENGLAND
Week 15- NEW YORK JETS at NEW ENGLAND
Week 16- MIAMI DOLPHINS at NEW ENGLAND
Week 17- NEW ENGLAND at NEW YORK GIANTS
The Patriots will take on the Washington Redskins this Sunday at Gillette Stadium. And while it is no secret that the Redskins' offense has been in dire straits due to injuries on the line, Greg Williams defense is rated amongst the top five throughout the league. Free Safety, Sean Taylor is rated first in the league with five defensive interceptions this season.
London Fletcher alone has had seventy tackles for the season. Forty on his own, and an interception returned for a touchdown last week against the Cardinals. Not only that, but Fletcher also has some old scores to settle. In 2002 London Fletcher, while playing for the Rams, lost Super Bowl XXXVI to Tom Brady and his Patriots. He also then went on to play for Buffalo where he would meet the Patriots twice a season from 2002-2006.
In Brady's time with the Patriots he has beaten every team in the NFL except the Washington Redskins. Back in 2003 during Brady's only appearance against the Redskins he was limited by a talented Washington defense to only two touchdowns and in turn threw three interceptions. Could this be the week that Tom Brady and his offense falter?
The following week the Patriots will travel to Indianapolis, the one place where they are NOT welcome. They will face their rivals the (6-0) Indianapolis Colts. It is the most anticipated game of the 2007 NFL season. To be honest, I do not even think the Super Bowl is billed as highly as this game is. It does not get much better than Brady vs. Manning, a classic showdown! If anyone on the schedule for the Patriots can give them a run for their money, it is Payton Manning and his Colts.
In a season where there are many doubters to the true legitimacy of whether the Patriots are THAT good, I would have to say that, "Yes, I do think they are that good offensively, but I am not sold on the fact that they will be able too win every single remaining game left this season." I have not brought up their defense, as I am not overly impressed with them. To me, I think the best way to sum up their defense is to look at who has scored the most against points against them. It was last Sunday when the (0-7) Dolphins scored twenty-eight points. To me that just does not say much for the Patriots' defense.
There is just too much good competition ahead of the Patriots. Not only will the 'Skins and Colts give them a run for their money, but I believe the Steelers and the Giants also have a very good shot at it as well. But if you were to strip it down and look solely at who has had a tougher schedule, the Colts, by far, have played a harder fought season than the New England Patriots. Therefore I do not believe that the Patriots will finish this season undefeated at (16-0).
THE 0-7 MIAMI DOLPHINS:
In a season where brown paper bags seem to be on backorder in Miami, truth is, if it were not for bad luck the Miami Dolphins would have no luck at all. From losing key players in the off-season, to season ending injuries, the Dolphins are now finding themselves the butt of every joke around the league. I find it completely amazing that this team has not gone into the Witness Protection Program to hide from their fans.
This week we find that the Fins have swam across the "Pond" to take on the New York Giants in Merry Ole London, at Wembley Stadium. Not only is this a tough situation by just traveling, but the Dolphins find they are facing a team who has managed to pull themselves up by their cleat straps too win the last five games in a row. The New York Giants have become a formidable opponent for any team, but for the Dolphins it is just another Sunday they would rather not face....
The Dolphins lost their Vet. quarterback Trent Green when he decided to lower his head against Travis Johnson during the Fins/Texans game three weeks ago. And while there has been much debate over who was in the wrong, Trent Green is done for the season and possibly for good. This has allowed Cleo Lemon to come in and take the helm. To be honest with you, I was kinda impressed while looking at Lemons stats. Did you know, for instance, that in the two weeks he has been quarterback for the Dolphins he has thrown for 214.3 yards a game? He also threw for two touchdowns. Not great, but not bad either.
Of course there is no reason to jump on that train, as I have found that Cam Cameron is considering replacing Lemon with back up QB John Beck. Why? Well maybe he wants to cement Beck as the future for the Dolphins, but with a lack of consistency at that crucial position it is bound to ruin any quarterback in the NFL. So unless Cameron is willing to stick with one QB it very well may be a possibility that the Miami Dolphins could become the first winless team in the NFL since the 1976 Bucs.
To say that the Defense for the Dolphins has been abysmal is a gross understatement. When a defense for any team allows an average of thirty-plus points to be scored on them all season, with two games surpassing the forty point mark you know it is time to pack up the moving van. I think it would be in the best interest of Wayne Huizenga to do some serious house keeping once this season comes to a close.
Remaining games left on Dolphins Schedule:
Week 8- DOLPHINS VS NEW YORK GIANTS (LONDON, ENGLAND)
Week 9- BYE
Week 10- BUFFALO BILLS at MIAMI DOLPHINS
Week11- MIAMI DOLPHINS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Week 12- MIAMI DOLPHINS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Week 13- NEW YORK JETS at MIAMI DOLPHINS
Week 14- MIAMI DOLPHINS at BUFFALO BILLS
Week 15- BALTIMORE RAVENS at MIAMI DOLPHINS
Week 16- MIAMI DOLPHINS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Week 17- CINCINNATI BENGALS at MIAMI DOLPHINS
By looking at the above schedule I honestly believe that the Dolphins will not lose in week nine. It is actually a sure bet. No I am just kidding. Sorry long articles make me a bit giddy.
Here are a few suggestions too coach Cameron on how to win at least one game this season:
1- Do not pull Cleo Lemon and replace him with rookie John Beck.
2- Always make sure that all of your players are educated enough to know where London is on the map.
3-Do not allow players to sit in traffic at the stadium after a game, as "Fender Benders" are bound to happen.
4- Whatever you did in the second half of the game against the Patriots to mount a mini comeback, use again on teams such as the Jets, Ravens and Bengals.
5- Let Jason Taylor give the pep talks to the team. This guy knows how to motivate.
6-Look up the winning formula of the 1972 Dolphins and apply exactly as written.
Seriously, with so much turmoil upsetting the Dolphins this season, fans of the team either have to give up and start looking forward to next season, or laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. Zach Thomas was in a fender bender last Sunday in stadium traffic. He has whiplash and will not be in London. Linebacker Channing Crowder treated the media to a peak into his sad education by saying he could not point out London on the map unless it was already written in. He knows Italy is in the shape of a boot, but that's about it. Oh, and he was relieved to learn that they speak English in London....WOW!
Jason Taylor was the only thing that impressed me coming out of Miami. Let me give you just a sample from his quote given recently,
"There's certain things in life, in this world, we can control and certain things we can't. And if we waste our time and energy and worry too much about things we can't control, then I think were not giving ourselves a good enough chance."
That statement, Dolphin players, is something to hang your hat on. Build from there and know that, while this is not a playoff year, the worse thing you could allow is to have your name placed in history as winless right next to the 1976 Bucs....
So all in all, if I have to answer which team will achieve the status of undefeated, or winless, it would have to be the Miami Dolphins going winless. I just see too much possibility in the teams left facing the Patriots to allow them to finish the season undefeated. And while my opinion throughout this has been based on the sure thing teams... I have to finish with this......An Underdog on Any Given Sunday can change Everything!
I have always been an admirer of how football players adapt and make adjustments in how they play due to the elements. Man vs. Man vs. Nature. Can any one of us deny that games such as The Ice Bowl and others like it add purity to the game itself? I know that my favorite images of this game are men down on the line where their breath gives away the intensity of their emotions. So with this being said, who had the bright idea to dome the game?
I have always groaned at the notion of having to watch a game played in any dome. I think that it robs so much from the players and the fans. Around the league there is a total of nine domes, two of them being retractable. Now I am sure that they were thought of by someone who thought more tickets could be sold if fans were not huddled up together freezing to death. Wrong! Give me an emotionally charged, close game and I will be nice and toasty! Ever since I can remember I have always enjoyed football from Peewee to High School, College and Pro Football more when the temp dips below forty degrees. A hot cup of coffee, or cocoa along with the smell of hot roasted peanuts all add to the atmosphere of the game.
As bad as domes are there is a worse danger lurking inside. That's right Artificial Turf can be a players worst nightmare. This freak of nature has been blamed for numerous injuries that could have been avoidable. I know for myself that "Turf Toe" sounds ridiculous, but is actually a painful injury that can sideline a player for up to three weeks or longer. So why is this acceptable for a fourth of the stadiums in the league?
Only nine out of thirty-two teams play inside. I would think that teams who play in a Stadium as opposed to a Dome would have the advantage. Now sure you can bring up the Colts, but Payton Manning is the answer to your question. Do me a favor and think about this. . . out of all the domed teams, only Minnesota and Detroit can really say their winter weather is bad. On the other hand, winter months for teams like Green Bay, Buffalo, New England, Denver and Chicago are brutal and all played outside.
In my opinion the only team that truly deserves a dome is the Cardinals, and man what a dome they have! Not only do they have a retractable roof, but a retractable field allowing them to have real grass instead of turf. Dallas is also a team that allows the elements to affect their game, while letting their fans stay dry. Well at least until 2009 when their new stadium will open.
Look bottom line here is this. . . take a football, add some real men along with the unpredictability of the elements, mix them all together and you will achieve perfection!
First I would like to say that I was surprised by the overwhelming support and love from the entire NFL community in my last post. Each comment, for the most part, was consumed with grief, love and understanding for Sean and the entire Taylor family. 
MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS... 
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS...#21 
As many of you know I had to drop out of the finals of Mike Greenspires' 1st Annual Blogger Comp. I want you all to know how very much it killed me to do that. It was a tough decision, one that i struggled with for quite some time. But clearly KSP113, or Kev as I call him, did a fantastic job and was most deserving of being crowned winner! 
But, 
These men are some of the finest football players to ever play in the National Football League, and many of them should have been inducted long before now. The most recognized case of being overlooked is that of Wide Receiver Art Monk. 
With a combustible combination of Tom Brady, a completely changed Randy Moss, and multitude of talented receivers, running backs and tight ends to throw to, they have found a chemistry that propelled the Patriots onto one victory after the next. On average the Patriots are scoring (39.9) points a game. Tom Brady seems poised to surpass Payton Mannings record of forty-nine touchdowns set back in 2004. As of this moment, Brady has already thrown twenty-seven touchdown passes, and it seems to be a very good possibility that he could finish the season above the sixty TD mark.
The Patriots will take on the Washington Redskins this Sunday at Gillette Stadium. And while it is no secret that the Redskins' offense has been in dire straits due to injuries on the line, Greg Williams defense is rated amongst the top five throughout the league. Free Safety, Sean Taylor is rated first in the league with five defensive interceptions this season. 
THE 0-7 MIAMI DOLPHINS:
Here are a few suggestions too coach Cameron on how to win at least one game this season: 
I have always been an admirer of how football players adapt and make adjustments in how they play due to the elements. Man vs. Man vs. Nature. Can any one of us deny that games such as The Ice Bowl and others like it add purity to the game itself? I know that my favorite images of this game are men down on the line where their breath gives away the intensity of their emotions. So with this being said, who had the bright idea to dome the game? 
huddled up together freezing to death. Wrong! Give me an emotionally charged, close game and I will be nice and toasty! Ever since I can remember I have always enjoyed football from Peewee to High School, College and Pro Football more when the temp dips below forty degrees. A hot cup of coffee, or cocoa along with the smell of hot roasted peanuts all add to the atmosphere of the game. 
injuries that could have been avoidable. I know for myself that "Turf Toe" sounds ridiculous, but is actually a painful injury that can sideline a player for up to three weeks or longer. So why is this acceptable for a fourth of the stadiums in the league? 
Stadium as opposed to a Dome would have the advantage. Now sure you can bring up the Colts, but Payton Manning is the answer to your question. Do me a favor and think about this. . . out of all the domed teams, only Minnesota and Detroit can really say their winter weather is bad. On the other hand, winter months for teams like Green Bay, Buffalo, New England, Denver and Chicago are brutal and all played outside. 
In my opinion the only team that truly deserves a dome is the Cardinals, and man what a dome they have! Not only do they have a retractable roof, but a retractable field allowing them to have real grass instead of turf. Dallas is also a team that allows the elements to affect their game, while letting their fans stay dry. Well at least until 2009 when their new stadium will open. 
