Hi Folks,
We do a lot of really insightful, thoughtful and serious features here at Footballguys with some very 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 keep relatively sane. Here's hoping it has a tiny bit of value for you.
We’ll see how it goes. Let’s get to it.
J
First things first.
We saw lots of nice tributes this weekend from the college and pro games.
I think this is my favorite from awesome artist Shepard Fairey.
Hang in there, France.
The Politicians With ManBuns was a big hit last week. Here's another with Donald Trump.
If you don't have time to grow your hair out, the Internet has the answer...
Thanks to Footballguy Sigmund Bloom for that one.
OK, on to my hair. I told you guys last week about the bet I lost with my Buddy Tom. If we could get $500 donated towards helping pay for kids to go to Young Life Camp in Colorado this summer, we'd agree to a bet where if I lost I'd shave my head and if Tom lost, he'd shave his beard.
I lost.
And you guys blew the doors off with donations. Thank you so much.
Here's the Winner Tom with beard intact. Me, not so much.
Yeah, this is silly / goofy / stupid. But stuff like this makes a local league fun. I love the National Contests and playing DFS. But I'm firmly convinced the heart and soul of Fantasy Football lies within the local league. Make sure you're in one. And make sure it's fun.
On that note, a message for Blake Bortles: Buddy, it's time.
Also, congrats to Jeremy Cloud, Marcus Eiland, Adam Sayre, Tom Strebel and Logan Willis as they were randomly picked from the folks who donated to receive a Footballguys Insider PRO subscription covering the rest of this season and all of 2016.
Here's something cool.
I found out this week, totally unsolicited, that Dale Earnhardt Jr is a Footballguy.
Wow. That was super generous of him to give us a shout out like to his zillion Twitter followers. What a nice surprise.
Thank you.
Just one more reason the Red / Green uniforms were a bad idea Thursday night.
I should note that several people said this isn't accurate as it relates to what color blind people see. I don't know. We've never been too interested in letting facts get in the way of faux outrage though so we're going to run with this.
Not surprisingly, the Internet continued to have fun with Eye Poking Bronco cornerback Aqib Talib.
Yahoo even jumped on board with this gem in their latest app update...
You know you've hit the big time when Yahoo is busting you...
Cam Newton is ready for hunting season.
And Brett Favre really was hunting this weekend and took time out to congratulate Peyton Manning on breaking his record.
Thanks to Footballguy David Dodds for that one.
Favre now trails Manning by 33 yards on the All Time Passing Yard list. Manning's season looks to be in jeopardy.
You know Favre's thinking about it like Dr. Ken...
It's been tough watching Peyton Manning struggle. Anyone else feeling like Travis in Old Yeller?...
At least it looks like Manning will have a nice home. Click here to see the video.
Everyone knows the NFL is a "What Have You Done Lately?" league. Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson has been on Injured Reserve since Week 3. He traveled to Nashville Sunday to see his team play the Titans. But the Panthers failed to leave a ticket for him.
Things move pretty fast, Charles.
I don't blame Brandon Marshall one bit here. I couldn't resist either.
Johnny Manziel with a picture perfect Statue Of Liberty play to open the game Sunday. Minus the running back...
Click the picture to see the video.
Oh Johnny.
Jersey of the Week goes to Recycling Washington Fan.
Thanks to Footballguy Deidre Drewes (Yes, we have lots of women Footballguys - deal with it) for the help on that one.
Mohamed Sanu was rocking some sweet cleats Monday Night.
So was Odell Beckham, Jr.
Tom Jackson and I have the exact same look on our faces listening to Stephen A. Smith...
"That run around and make a play stuff might have worked in College. But no way that succeeds at the NFL"...
Non Football Note this week.
In August, Salon.com went with this headline for MMA champ Ronda Rousey: "The Greatest Fighter In The World — And Just The Badass America Needed." Rousey lost her title to Holly Holm Saturday.. Click the picture for video.
I guess I'm old and or sexist but that just looks and feels wrong.
Then this was the shot that took down her down.
Last month, Rousey talked about how the fight might go On the Jimmy Fallon show. Rousey had this to say about Holly Holm:
"Ray Lewis" had this message for Rousey. Stick with it till the end.
Ruby Tuesday's or somethin'... Andre Boyd knocks it out of the park as Ray Lewis. Thanks to Footballguys Matt Waldman and Jene Bramel for that one.
I'll stick with Andre Boyd and Ruby Tuesdays. But if you're looking for a serious commentary on not just Rousey but how we as a society love to jump on the next big thing, T.D. Williams has an interesting article on the Cauldron.
Thanks to Footballguys Tom Wiklund and Matt Cox for the help on that one.
Back to Football.
Antonio Brown, you're kind of ridiculous.
This is by far my favorite version though. Click here for the video.
The grace and athleticism players like Brown show each Sunday is easy to take for granted. For a reality check, here's Random Guy running on the field. Now I'm going to guess he had a little judgement (and coordination) impairment extracurricular activity going on. But still. Good grief.
Adrian Peterson dominates at both ends of the spectrum.
You Old Timers will get this one.
On the other side of that coin, the Cardinals figure out ways to win.
Carson Palmer had a little something extra for the crowd Sunday.
Which will likely cost him a little something from the league this week...
Thanks to Footballguy Diego Lopez for that one.
I'll admit I've not minded seeing the Cowboys tailspin as Jerry Jones doubles down on defending Greg Hardy. Here's a positive story for Dallas with several players serving dinner and signing autographs for folks at the Salvation Army in Dallas. Click the picture for video.
I know news rooms can be hectic but you'd think they would've had the Peyton Manning graphic ready to go. Peyton Manning...Gary Payton. Kinda close I guess. But as someone who's entered news for Brandon Marshall the WR into the Footballguys database for Brandon Marshall the linebacker, I'm not going to throw too many stones here...
Cam Newton's in the news again.
He continues to score touchdowns. Which means he continues to dance in the endzone. For a really long time. Second year linebacker Avery Williamson confronted Newton Sunday and Newton responded with more dancing in his face.
On one hand, it's interesting as it illustrates the "seniority" point Newton objected to a few weeks back when referee Ed Hochuli allegedly told him he wasn't old enough to get a call. Newton was quick to mock a second year fifth round player. I doubt he does that to Clay Matthews or Elvis Dumervill. He'd be more like he was with Julius Peppers last week pleading for the football. But that's another story.
Newton for his part gave the age old answer to touchdown celebration objections:
But don't be the Titans fan mom who wrote the letter to the Charlotte Observer criticizing Newton for the negative impact his dancing had on her 9 year old daughter.
1. Between this lady and the guy on the front row with the Packers sign in the Panthers Stadium, why do all these people have seats so much better than mine?
2. Less whining. More parenting. Everyone loves Dana Carvey Church Lady. Real Church Lady, not so much.
3. If the goal is protecting your 4th grade daughter from seeing a pelvic thrust, is "redirecting her attention to the cheerleaders" really where she wants to go there?
Lastly, be nice. I see people online saying lots of mean stuff about this woman. Most of it was worse than anything she said about Newton. Let people have an opinion and be kind. Even if you think it's silly. Let them hear your side about why you disagree. And use Daisy Duke Titan Cheerleader pictures to make your point...
Chicago tight end Martellus Bennett drops the hammer on St. Louis.
Speaking of Front Runners...
Ouch.
An exclusive look at Eli Manning's inbox from Lockerdome.com
God Bless Drew Stanton. Click the picture for the video. If you dare.
And God Bless House Painting Bengal Guy.
A little NBA plus NFL Action.
Bleacher Reports Labs with some sweet NBA - NFL Jersey mashups.
That's some talented graphics people doing those. See more here.
Jimmy Fallon's had fun with Seahawks over the years with NFL Superlatives. Seattle decided to turn the table on him with this one. Click hereto see the video.
As he usually does, Marshawn Lynch stole the scene. Click his picture for the video.
Thanks to SBNation.com for that one.
Question for Rex Hating Jets Fans.
You know he was fired from New York, right?
Click here for the video but it's NSFW.
We had fun with the Talib Three Stooges Eye Poke a little. But this is just uncool T.J. Ward.
Ward cleared things up that it wasn't really a punch. And that really it was Kansas City that's the dirty team.
Reciprocation.
Not sure why but this killed me. Click on the picture for the video.
I know. It doesn't take a lot...
Headsup on the Giants sideline.
Wrapping today with an incredible video from Francine Christophe. She was deported with her mother to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1944. And has a pretty incredible story. This might be the best five minutes you spend today. Click on her picture to see the video.
Two thoughts.
1. People are awesome. Assume the best of people.
2. Be Not Afraid.
That'll do it for this week, Folks. Thanks to Footballguys Doug Drinen, Clayton Gray, Keith Overton, Sigmund Bloom, Michael Bodenberger, Deidre Drewes, David Dodds, Matt Waldman, Jene Bramel, Diego Lopez, Tom Wiklund and Matt Cox for the help on this one. If you've got a Random Shot of your own, shoot me an e-mail at bryant@footballguys.com.
Thanks for playing along. 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
---
We do a lot of really insightful, thoughtful and serious features here at Footballguys with some very 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 keep relatively sane. Here's hoping it has a tiny bit of value for you.
We’ll see how it goes. Let’s get to it.
J
First things first.
We saw lots of nice tributes this weekend from the college and pro games.
I think this is my favorite from awesome artist Shepard Fairey.
Hang in there, France.
The Politicians With ManBuns was a big hit last week. Here's another with Donald Trump.
If you don't have time to grow your hair out, the Internet has the answer...
Thanks to Footballguy Sigmund Bloom for that one.
OK, on to my hair. I told you guys last week about the bet I lost with my Buddy Tom. If we could get $500 donated towards helping pay for kids to go to Young Life Camp in Colorado this summer, we'd agree to a bet where if I lost I'd shave my head and if Tom lost, he'd shave his beard.
I lost.
And you guys blew the doors off with donations. Thank you so much.
Here's the Winner Tom with beard intact. Me, not so much.
Yeah, this is silly / goofy / stupid. But stuff like this makes a local league fun. I love the National Contests and playing DFS. But I'm firmly convinced the heart and soul of Fantasy Football lies within the local league. Make sure you're in one. And make sure it's fun.
On that note, a message for Blake Bortles: Buddy, it's time.
Also, congrats to Jeremy Cloud, Marcus Eiland, Adam Sayre, Tom Strebel and Logan Willis as they were randomly picked from the folks who donated to receive a Footballguys Insider PRO subscription covering the rest of this season and all of 2016.
Here's something cool.
I found out this week, totally unsolicited, that Dale Earnhardt Jr is a Footballguy.
Wow. That was super generous of him to give us a shout out like to his zillion Twitter followers. What a nice surprise.
Thank you.
Just one more reason the Red / Green uniforms were a bad idea Thursday night.
I should note that several people said this isn't accurate as it relates to what color blind people see. I don't know. We've never been too interested in letting facts get in the way of faux outrage though so we're going to run with this.
Not surprisingly, the Internet continued to have fun with Eye Poking Bronco cornerback Aqib Talib.
Yahoo even jumped on board with this gem in their latest app update...
You know you've hit the big time when Yahoo is busting you...
Cam Newton is ready for hunting season.
And Brett Favre really was hunting this weekend and took time out to congratulate Peyton Manning on breaking his record.
Thanks to Footballguy David Dodds for that one.
Favre now trails Manning by 33 yards on the All Time Passing Yard list. Manning's season looks to be in jeopardy.
You know Favre's thinking about it like Dr. Ken...
It's been tough watching Peyton Manning struggle. Anyone else feeling like Travis in Old Yeller?...
At least it looks like Manning will have a nice home. Click here to see the video.
Everyone knows the NFL is a "What Have You Done Lately?" league. Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson has been on Injured Reserve since Week 3. He traveled to Nashville Sunday to see his team play the Titans. But the Panthers failed to leave a ticket for him.
Things move pretty fast, Charles.
I don't blame Brandon Marshall one bit here. I couldn't resist either.
Johnny Manziel with a picture perfect Statue Of Liberty play to open the game Sunday. Minus the running back...
Click the picture to see the video.
Oh Johnny.
Jersey of the Week goes to Recycling Washington Fan.
Thanks to Footballguy Deidre Drewes (Yes, we have lots of women Footballguys - deal with it) for the help on that one.
Mohamed Sanu was rocking some sweet cleats Monday Night.
So was Odell Beckham, Jr.
Tom Jackson and I have the exact same look on our faces listening to Stephen A. Smith...
"That run around and make a play stuff might have worked in College. But no way that succeeds at the NFL"...
Non Football Note this week.
In August, Salon.com went with this headline for MMA champ Ronda Rousey: "The Greatest Fighter In The World — And Just The Badass America Needed." Rousey lost her title to Holly Holm Saturday.. Click the picture for video.
I guess I'm old and or sexist but that just looks and feels wrong.
Then this was the shot that took down her down.
Last month, Rousey talked about how the fight might go On the Jimmy Fallon show. Rousey had this to say about Holly Holm:
"She's a nice chick that's gonna lose."
"She's undefeated and an amazing athlete and I think the biggest threat, definitely, to me, especially on paper and stylistically. She's the type of fighter that you have to be very, very patient with. I feel like she's gonna try and like, keep distance and keep far away from me and get me frustrated until a point I'll make a mistake and she can try and kick me in the head."
"But it's not gonna go like that."
"She's undefeated and an amazing athlete and I think the biggest threat, definitely, to me, especially on paper and stylistically. She's the type of fighter that you have to be very, very patient with. I feel like she's gonna try and like, keep distance and keep far away from me and get me frustrated until a point I'll make a mistake and she can try and kick me in the head."
"But it's not gonna go like that."
"Ray Lewis" had this message for Rousey. Stick with it till the end.
Ruby Tuesday's or somethin'... Andre Boyd knocks it out of the park as Ray Lewis. Thanks to Footballguys Matt Waldman and Jene Bramel for that one.
I'll stick with Andre Boyd and Ruby Tuesdays. But if you're looking for a serious commentary on not just Rousey but how we as a society love to jump on the next big thing, T.D. Williams has an interesting article on the Cauldron.
"ESPN anointed Rousey “Fighter of the Year” and “Female Athlete of the Year” for a period in which she had spent a total of 30 seconds in the ring with two hopelessly under-qualified opponents in a sport that still significantly lacks history and development of its ranks. The idea of her being a better fighter than Floyd Mayweather, or a more exemplary female athlete than Serena Williams (who was in the midst of a 28–0 run and had won every major title in one of the most popular and competitive women’s sports in the world) was laughable, at best. But the manufacturers of celebrity and the branding agents weren’t about to let reality get in the way of their latest pet project, and the fans were more than happy to buy what was being sold."
And lastly, for you Wrestling Guys, Holm went Heartbreak Kid with some Sweet Chin Music.
Thanks to Footballguys Tom Wiklund and Matt Cox for the help on that one.
Back to Football.
Antonio Brown, you're kind of ridiculous.
This is by far my favorite version though. Click here for the video.
The grace and athleticism players like Brown show each Sunday is easy to take for granted. For a reality check, here's Random Guy running on the field. Now I'm going to guess he had a little judgement (and coordination) impairment extracurricular activity going on. But still. Good grief.
Adrian Peterson dominates at both ends of the spectrum.
You Old Timers will get this one.
On the other side of that coin, the Cardinals figure out ways to win.
Carson Palmer had a little something extra for the crowd Sunday.
Which will likely cost him a little something from the league this week...
Thanks to Footballguy Diego Lopez for that one.
I'll admit I've not minded seeing the Cowboys tailspin as Jerry Jones doubles down on defending Greg Hardy. Here's a positive story for Dallas with several players serving dinner and signing autographs for folks at the Salvation Army in Dallas. Click the picture for video.
I know news rooms can be hectic but you'd think they would've had the Peyton Manning graphic ready to go. Peyton Manning...Gary Payton. Kinda close I guess. But as someone who's entered news for Brandon Marshall the WR into the Footballguys database for Brandon Marshall the linebacker, I'm not going to throw too many stones here...
Cam Newton's in the news again.
He continues to score touchdowns. Which means he continues to dance in the endzone. For a really long time. Second year linebacker Avery Williamson confronted Newton Sunday and Newton responded with more dancing in his face.
On one hand, it's interesting as it illustrates the "seniority" point Newton objected to a few weeks back when referee Ed Hochuli allegedly told him he wasn't old enough to get a call. Newton was quick to mock a second year fifth round player. I doubt he does that to Clay Matthews or Elvis Dumervill. He'd be more like he was with Julius Peppers last week pleading for the football. But that's another story.
Newton for his part gave the age old answer to touchdown celebration objections:
“I heard somebody say we’re not going to allow you to do that," Newton said afterwards. “But I’m a firm believer if you don’t like me to do it, then don’t let me in [the end zone]."
My take. Touchdown celebrations are fine. But my sort of hazy guideline is pretty simple: Don't let the celebration become a bigger focus than what you're celebrating. And for Newton, he's right on the line. I'm not one of these guys that demands a Barry Sanders hand the ball to the ref after every score. But everyone has that internal clock in their head letting them know when something's going a little over. Newton's there. But save the hate mail Panther fans with your brand new t-shirts. Newton's still one of my favorite players.
But don't be the Titans fan mom who wrote the letter to the Charlotte Observer criticizing Newton for the negative impact his dancing had on her 9 year old daughter.
"Because of where we sat, we had a close up view of your conduct in the fourth quarter. The chest puffs. The pelvic thrusts. The arrogant struts and the ‘in your face’ taunting of both the Titans’ players and fans. We saw it all. ...
"My daughter sensed the change immediately – and started asking questions. Won’t he get in trouble for doing that? Is he trying to make people mad? Do you think he knows he looks like a spoiled brat?"
"I didn’t have great answers for her, and honestly, in an effort to minimize your negative impact and what was otherwise a really fun day, I redirected her attention to the cheerleaders and mascot."
Couple of things."My daughter sensed the change immediately – and started asking questions. Won’t he get in trouble for doing that? Is he trying to make people mad? Do you think he knows he looks like a spoiled brat?"
"I didn’t have great answers for her, and honestly, in an effort to minimize your negative impact and what was otherwise a really fun day, I redirected her attention to the cheerleaders and mascot."
1. Between this lady and the guy on the front row with the Packers sign in the Panthers Stadium, why do all these people have seats so much better than mine?
2. Less whining. More parenting. Everyone loves Dana Carvey Church Lady. Real Church Lady, not so much.
3. If the goal is protecting your 4th grade daughter from seeing a pelvic thrust, is "redirecting her attention to the cheerleaders" really where she wants to go there?
Lastly, be nice. I see people online saying lots of mean stuff about this woman. Most of it was worse than anything she said about Newton. Let people have an opinion and be kind. Even if you think it's silly. Let them hear your side about why you disagree. And use Daisy Duke Titan Cheerleader pictures to make your point...
Chicago tight end Martellus Bennett drops the hammer on St. Louis.
“I consider St. Louis Seattle’s little brother. So, it’s a bunch of frontrunners; 97, he’s a little b****, and, so... Overall, I’m just happy to go out there and kick their ass."
Speaking of Front Runners...
Ouch.
An exclusive look at Eli Manning's inbox from Lockerdome.com
God Bless Drew Stanton. Click the picture for the video. If you dare.
And God Bless House Painting Bengal Guy.
A little NBA plus NFL Action.
Bleacher Reports Labs with some sweet NBA - NFL Jersey mashups.
That's some talented graphics people doing those. See more here.
Jimmy Fallon's had fun with Seahawks over the years with NFL Superlatives. Seattle decided to turn the table on him with this one. Click hereto see the video.
As he usually does, Marshawn Lynch stole the scene. Click his picture for the video.
Thanks to SBNation.com for that one.
Question for Rex Hating Jets Fans.
You know he was fired from New York, right?
Click here for the video but it's NSFW.
We had fun with the Talib Three Stooges Eye Poke a little. But this is just uncool T.J. Ward.
Ward cleared things up that it wasn't really a punch. And that really it was Kansas City that's the dirty team.
"I got emotional," said Ward, who was worried he would be suspended for the incident. "I didn't really punch him. I don't even think that I punched him, if you see it, but it looked like a windup. You can take it how it is.
"It was an emotional game. A hard-fought [game] for us, defensively, with a lot of things going on that you guys weren't able to see. I lost control."
Ward, however, continued to say the Chiefs were "a pretty dirty team" and "were doing cheap things all game."
"It was their team as a whole," Ward said. "They were a pretty dirty team: the O-linemen, receivers and tight ends. They were doing it last game, and they continued to do it this game. It took an effect on me."
Whew. Thanks TJ. I would have missed that. You know watching what actually happened and all.."It was an emotional game. A hard-fought [game] for us, defensively, with a lot of things going on that you guys weren't able to see. I lost control."
Ward, however, continued to say the Chiefs were "a pretty dirty team" and "were doing cheap things all game."
"It was their team as a whole," Ward said. "They were a pretty dirty team: the O-linemen, receivers and tight ends. They were doing it last game, and they continued to do it this game. It took an effect on me."
Reciprocation.
Not sure why but this killed me. Click on the picture for the video.
I know. It doesn't take a lot...
Headsup on the Giants sideline.
Wrapping today with an incredible video from Francine Christophe. She was deported with her mother to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1944. And has a pretty incredible story. This might be the best five minutes you spend today. Click on her picture to see the video.
Two thoughts.
1. People are awesome. Assume the best of people.
2. Be Not Afraid.
That'll do it for this week, Folks. Thanks to Footballguys Doug Drinen, Clayton Gray, Keith Overton, Sigmund Bloom, Michael Bodenberger, Deidre Drewes, David Dodds, Matt Waldman, Jene Bramel, Diego Lopez, Tom Wiklund and Matt Cox for the help on this one. If you've got a Random Shot of your own, shoot me an e-mail at bryant@footballguys.com.
Thanks for playing along. 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
---
