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Vick admits to laziness and complacency in Atlanta

Dizzel — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:56:10 +0000

There are a lot of Atlanta Falcons fans who still love Michael Vick(notes), and will always love Michael Vick. Why this is so, I’m not entirely sure, because it seems like with each passing day, Michael Vick makes a new effort to let the people at Atlanta know that he played them for chumps, every single step of the way.
First, while he was supposed to be saving the franchise and leading them to the promised land, he was also busy unleashing a holy war on the puppies of the area.
That’s a crime, of course, and it cost him a good portion of his football career and ended his stay with the Falcons. If you want to stick by Vick’s side through that, that’s fine. I get it. He’s a man, he made a mistake, and he deserves forgiveness. As long as he’s dedicated to the home team, we can forgive a human foible and move on, right?
Well, what if, at the same time, he didn’t give a damn about the home team, either?
Vick told 790 AM The Zone in Atlanta that while he played for the Falcons, he wasn’t giving 100%. Now, I’m sure a lot of people already had a hunch that Vick didn’t get the most out of his abilities, but hearing him admit is another thing. Vick openly admits that he wasn’t anywhere near the quarterback he should have been. From AJC.com:
“There was a lot more I could have done off the field and in the film room that could have elevated my game to a different level,” Vick said. “I was complacent at the time, somewhat lazy, and I settled for mediocrity. I thought what I was doing was enough.”
[...]
“Just imagine what I could have been doing if I really would have been applying myself. That’s a regret I have.”
Now, there are a real crimes, and there are crimes against sports. Obviously, real crimes are worse.
But crimes against sports can be funny things. In a way, they’re a bigger betrayal, because when we care so much and invest so much energy in our favorite players in teams, it can hurt to know that they didn’t care even as much as you did.
Take Pete Rose, for example. His major offense in life was a crime against sports. He bet on baseball. Yet, he’s barred from the game, he’s become a joke and he’s basically a sports pariah. And yet, how many wife beaters and guys with multiple DUIs — real crimes that are clearly worse — take the field with no real consequences, day in and day out?
This newest Vick crime, the one against sports, is a serious one, because he’s gotten some insane amounts of unconditional love from the people of Atlanta, and what did he give them in return? Was he a model citizen and pillar of the community? No. Did he bust his hump to help the Falcons and work hard to be the best player he could be? Nope. He just admitted as much.
It seems like the love in that relationship has only gone one way. They loved Vick, and in return, he took their money, he took their cheers on Sunday, and he spit in their faces. Not just by his off-field activities, but by not caring about the game, either.

Redskins Dumb Ass Attack Dec. 21, 2009

Dizzel — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:22:34 +0000

Wow there dumb.

ONCE AGAIN, A VICTORY

Dizzel — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:10:01 +0000

Colts Set Franchise Record with 14th Consecutive Victory to Start the Season
The Colts’ 14th game ended in the fashion of so many of the first 13.

The circumstances on the banks of the St. Johns River Thursday night were dramatic. The Colts, again on history’s cusp, trailed late, the score remained tight, and a big play or two decided the outcome.

Once again, the Colts made those plays. Once again, they won.

And once again, they came from behind to do it.

Peyton Manning, who played a perfect first half for a second time in as many visits to Jacksonville, followed that half with yet another fourth-quarter rally, leading the Colts to their 14th consecutive victory to start the season – 35-31 over the Jacksonville Jaguars in front of 63,753 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday night.

“The guys have a great, great fighting spirit,” Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell told Colts Radio after a game that featured 10 lead changes and in which neither team led by more than four points.

The Colts rallied five times from three-point deficits, the last time when Manning threw his fourth touchdown pass – this one a 65-yarder to three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Reggie Wayne on 3rd-and-5 from the Colts 35 with 5:23 remaining.

An interception by rookie cornerback Jacob Lacey secured the victory with :56 remaining.

“We never gave up,” Lacey told Colts Radio. “We never lost focus. When we had our back against the wall and we needed to step up, we were able to do that.

“’It’s a great feeling, not only to keep the undefeated record going, but to get a win.”

The Colts, who extended their regular-season winning streak to an NFL-record 23 games, became the third team in NFL history to start the season 14-0. The 1972 Miami Dolphins went unbeaten in a 14-game regular season, and the New England Patriots finished 16-0 in 2007.

The Colts, who set a franchise record for the best start, rallied to win in the fourth quarter for a seventh time this season.

That’s an NFL record, too.

“As long as you finish on top, it’s a good way to win,” Colts tight end Dallas Clark told Colts Radio after catching seven passes for 95 yards and two touchdown passes. “It was what we expected. We knew we’d have to earn everything we got. They took us down to the wire.”

The Colts, who remained one of two unbeaten teams in the NFL along with New Orleans, a week ago clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Because they have secured home-field advantage throughout the postseason, the question of how much starters would or wouldn’t play was a major topic of discussion around the Colts throughout the week.

The Colts, as Caldwell said throughout the week, played all healthy starters on Thursday, with defensive ends Robert Mathis (quad) and Dwight Freeney (abdomen) and offensive tackle Charlie Johnson (foot) – all of whom missed practice this week – playing.

Mathis and Freeney each played mainly on third downs early, but played extensively late.

Asked afterward how the Colts will approach next Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, Caldwell told Colts Radio he hadn’t yet decided.

“We just kind of look at this thing one week at a time,” Caldwell said. “We get a chance to think about it and evaluate the health of our team. That’s probably going to be the biggest issue. At the end of the regular season, another season starts, and that’s the big one.”

Said Manning to the NFL Network, “We’re not going to lobby, because that’s not what our football team’s about. Certainly, players have their hopes and wishes. Caldwell makes the call. We follow.

“We’ll see what happens. Obviously, personally, I hope we still play.”

As he was last December in Jacksonville, Manning – 23 of 30, 308 yards, four touchdowns, one interception – was perfect in the first half, a half in which the each offense moved efficiently.

With Manning completing 12 of 12 first-half passes, the Colts scored three first-half touchdowns – two on touchdown passes by Manning – en route to a 21-17 first-half lead, with the first score coming on a 50-yard field goal by Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee.

The Colts then moved 80 yards in 14 plays, with Manning throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Clark early in the second quarter. Jaguars quarterback David Garrard then moved the Jaguars 61 yards on 11 plays, finishing the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

That made it 10-7, Jaguars, but running back Chad Simpson returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown that gave Indianapolis the lead again.

Jones-Drew’s three-yard touchdown run ended the Jaguars’ next drive, but Manning threw his second touchdown just before the end of the half for a 21-17 Colts lead.

The back-and-forth continued in the third quarter.

After a pass from Manning went off the hands of Clark and was intercepted by Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith, Garrard threw 16 yards to wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker. Clark caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Manning on the ensuing series, bouncing off a tackle by Jacksonville safety Reggie Nelson and running the final 15 yards into the end zone.

The Jaguars took the lead again on the ensuing possession, with wide receiver Mike Thomas catching a 13-yard touchdown pass in the middle of the end zone from Garrard after a nine-play, 46-yard drive.

The Colts punted on their ensuing two possessions, but forced a Jaguars punt with 6:05 remaining, setting up Manning’s touchdown pass to Wayne.

The Colts’ defense, which allowed 345 yards and 25 first downs for the game but held Jacksonville scoreless in the fourth quarter, stopped the ensuing drive when defensive tackle Eric Foster recorded his second sack of the game to force a punt.

After the Jaguars forced a three-and-out, Garrard drove to the Jaguars to the Colts 33, but on 3rd-and-10 from there, he threw high to Thomas. Lacey caught the ball and after a short return and fell on the ground, securing the victory.

“We just want to try our best to keep this streak going,” Bethea said. “It feels good. Hopefully, we can keep it going in our next game against New York (next week).

“Fourteen-and-oh feels good. Hopefully, we’ll get to 15.”

Indianapolis Colts remain perfect with come-from-behind 35-27 win over Houston Texans

Dizzel — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:51:44 +0000

HOUSTON – The Indianapolis Colts stayed perfect by extending their dominance of the Houston Texans.

Peyton Manning threw for three touchdowns and the Colts rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit Sunday for a 35-27 win, their 20th straight regular-season victory. Indianapolis (11-0) is one win shy of the New England Patriots’ NFL-record 21-game run from 2006-08.

The Colts can tie the record if they beat Tennessee at home next weekend.

The Colts improved to 15-1 against Houston (5-6).

Manning threw two first-half interceptions, but had a pair of second-half TD passes, including a 4-yarder to Dallas Clark that gave the Colts a 21-20 lead with about nine minutes left.

Clint Session stretched the lead to 28-20 when he returned an interception by Matt Schaub 26 yards for a touchdown seconds later. Schaub fumbled on Houston’s next possession and Chad Simpson’s touchdown run put the game out of reach.

The Colts can clinch the AFC South title if the Jaguars lose to the 49ers later Sunday. The loss makes Houston’s chances of earning
its first playoff berth more dim.

Houston, which has lost three straight, was all but unstoppable in the first half, and the Texans scored on their first four possessions. It was a different story after halftime, with the Texans unable to get anything going offensively until Schaub hit Jacoby Jones for a touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.

The Colts’ first lead came on Manning’s touchdown pass to Clark. In what was a theme Sunday, the drive was helped by a 17-yard pass interference penalty on Houston.

It was the fifth straight week the Colts have trailed in the fourth quarter. Earlier in the period, Indianapolis had a first down at the Houston 13, but the next three plays netted 1 yard to set up a field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter. Matt Stover’s 32-yard attempt sailed wide right to keep Houston’s lead at 20-14.

In the third quarter, the Texans were called for pass interference on third-and-goal from the 8-yard line, giving the Colts a first down at the 1. Reggie Wayne caught a touchdown pass three plays later to make it 20-14.

Houston’s Jacques Reeves got a 43-yard pass interference penalty on the third play of that drive.

Antoine Bethea intercepted Schaub’s throw on Houston’s next drive, but the Colts couldn’t convert.

Manning finished 27 of 35 for 244 yards. Schaub was 31 of 42 for 284 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.

The Colts’ first score came when Manning found Pierre Garcon for a 9-yard touchdown about six minutes before halftime. That drive was helped by a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty on Antonio Smith for hitting Manning in the head.

The Texans got in red zone on two of their first-half possessions, but came away with field goals after those drives stalled to lead 20-7 at halftime.

The Colts were driving just before halftime and were at their 37 when Manning was picked off for the second time, this interception by rookie Brice McCain.

Houston scored on its first possession for the first time this season when Schaub completed an 11-play, 79-yard drive with a 7-yard pass to Vonta Leach to make it 7-0.

The Texans marched downfield again on the next drive and went up 14-0 on a 5-yard run by Chris Brown. Schaub connected on his first eight passes and didn’t throw an incompletion until the second quarter.

Manning was under heavy pressure from Smith and Amobi Okoye when he threw an interception to Brian Cushing early in the second quarter. The Texans got to the Indianapolis 12 before Kris Brown’s 35-yard field goal pushed the lead to 17-0.

The Colts were without star defensive end Dwight Freeney, out with an abdomen injury.

Colts go 8 – 0

Dizzel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:11:24 +0000

By Matt Dollinger – Colts.com
Sunday, November 8 2009

With 1 second remaining in the the game, the Houston Texans attempted and missed a 42 yard field goal. COLTS WIN: 20-17

FOURTH QUARTER (2:13 remaining)
A pass by Houston Quarterback Matt Schaub, intended for WR David Anderson, was intercepted by Colts linebacker Clint Session. Session returned it 8 yards to the Colts 40 yd line.

FOURTH QUARTER (7:11 remaining)
Colts running back Joseph Addai scored his second touchdown of the game on a two-yard rush up the middle on third down. Rookie wide receiver Austin Collie reeled in a 16-yard catch to move the Colts into the red zone, but suffered a neck injury on the play and is questionable to return. COLTS 20, TEXANS 17

FOURTH QUARTER (14:58 remaining)
After being stuffed on first and second down, the Texans punched the ball in from the one-yard line on third down to give them their first lead of the game. COLTS 13, TEXANS 17

END OF THIRD QUARTER
As the third quarter comes to a close, the Texans have the ball at 3rd-and-goal from the Colts’ one-yard line. COLTS 13, TEXANS 10

THIRD QUARTER (8:31 remaining)
The Texans began the second half with a touchdown drive, marching 86 yards down the field and scoring on a one-yard pass from Schaub to running back Ryan Moats. COLTS 13, TEXANS 10

HALFTIME
At the end of the half, the Colts lead 13-3. Houston kicker Kris Brown converted a 56-yard field goal as time expired. Quarterback Peyton Manning set yet another passing record in the first half, becoming the first NFL quarterback to throw for more than 40,000 yards in any decade. For the game, Manning has completed 26 of 40 pass attempts for 242 yards and one touchdown.

SECOND QUARTER (2:00 remaining)
The Texans put together a lengthy drive that milked six minutes off the clock, but failed to yield any points. Colts safety Antoine Bethea forced a fumble on the one-yard line and rookie defensive back Jerraud Powers recovered the ball on the goal line for a touchback to give Indianapolis possession.

SECOND QUARTER (11:20 remaining)
Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis combined to sack Texans quarterback Matt Schaub on third down, forcing Houston to punt for the third time today. The Colts’ offense will take over from their own 31.

SECOND QUARTER (12:50 remaining)
Kicker Matt Stover continues his perfection as a Colt, converting on a 37-yard attempt, his second field goal of the game. COLTS 13, TEXANS 0

END OF FIRST QUARTER
At the end of the first period, the Colts lead by 10 and have possession of the ball around midfield. Quarterback Peyton Manning is 19-of-25 for 176 yards and one touchdown. COLTS 10, TEXANS 0

FIRST QUARTER (3:57 remaining)
Following Powers’ pick, the Colts drove 41 yards and scored again on a 22-yard field goal from kicker Matt Stover. COLTS 10, TEXANS 0

FIRST QUARTER (6:04 remaining)
On Houston’s first play from scrimmage following Addai’s touchdown, Colts rookie defensive back Jerraud Powers intercepted the first pass of his career at Houston’s 45-yard line to give Indianapolis the ball back.

FIRST QUARTER (6:20 remaining)
A vintage drive – 12 plays and 79 yards – led the Colts to their first score of the game, a seven-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Addai. Manning completed nine of 10 pass attempts on the drive and frequently went to tight end Dallas Clark, who already has six catches for 49 yards on the day. COLTS 7, TEXANS 0

FIRST QUARTER (12:51 remaining)
On Houston’s first offensive play of the game, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney sacked quarterback Matt Schaub, extending the pass rusher’s streak of consecutive games with a sack to nine. The Colts forced the Texans three-and-out and will take over from their own 21.

FIRST QUARTER (12:51 remaining)
The Indianapolis Colts put together a fast and furious drive on their first possession of the game, but failed to convert on 4th-and-short, resulting in a turnover on downs. After completing four quick passes in the first minute of the game, quarterback Peyton Manning failed to connect with running back Joseph Addai on fourth down later in the drive, giving the Texans the ball at their own 32.

The following Colts are inactive today… K-Adam Vinatieri, QB-Curtis Painter, WR-Anthony Gonzalez, DB-Kelvin Hayden, RB-Donald Brown, OT-Tony Ugoh, TE-Tom Santi, DT-Fili Moala

SCORING SUMMARY
• 7-yard touchdown pass from QB-Peyton Manning to RB-Joseph Addai (Drive summary: 12 plays, 79 yards, 4:33 seconds) COLTS 7, TEXANS 0
• 22-yard field goal by K-Matt Stover (Drive summary: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:06 seconds) COLTS 10, TEXANS 0
• 37-yard field goal by K-Matt Stover (Drive summary: 10 plays, 61 yards, 3:51 seconds) COLTS 13, TEXANS 0
• 56-yard field goal by K-Kris Brown (Drive summary: 5 play, 12 yards, 0:57 seconds) COLTS 13, TEXANS 3
• 1-yard touchdown pass from QB-Matt Schaub to RB-Ryan Moats (Drive summary: 12 plays, 86 yards, 6:29 seconds) COLTS 13, TEXANS 10
• 1-yard touchdown run from RB-Steve Slaton (Drive summary: 12 plays, 84 yards, 6:41 seconds) COLTS 13, TEXANS 17
• 2-yard touchdown run by RB-Joseph Addai (Drive summary: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:49 seconds) COLTS 20, TEXANS 17

Tilting the playing field

Dizzel — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:29:25 +0000

Competitive balance is thrown for a loss as six teams win by at least 28 points. The number of shutouts so far this season: seven.

So much for competitive balance.

Parity? A rarity.

It was on Sunday, at least, as six NFL teams won by at least four touchdowns.

Green Bay beat Cleveland by 28, New England beat Tampa Bay by 28, San Diego beat Kansas City by 30, Cincinnati beat Chicago by 35, Indianapolis beat St. Louis by 36, and the New York Jets beat Oakland by 38.

“You never want to lose at home, and you never want to lose in this fashion,” Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel said after a 37-7 loss to the Chargers. “It’s going to be a hard film to watch.”

At least he doesn’t play for the Raiders, who were blanked, 38-0. That brings the league season total to seven shutouts. Fifteen is the most for a season in the 2000 decade.

But not all games that begin as blowouts end that way.

Ask the Miami Dolphins. They had a three-touchdown advantage at home against New Orleans on Sunday, becoming the first team this season to take a lead against the undefeated Saints.

It didn’t last. Drew Brees overcame his worst day of the season — three interceptions and five sacks — to direct the Saints to a 46-34 victory. Leaning more on the run than the pass, the NFL’s highest-scoring team topped 40 points for the fourth time.

In collecting their sixth consecutive victory, the Saints joined the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos as the only teams to remain unblemished in their right-hand columns. That marks the first time in league history there have been three undefeated teams through the opening seven weeks of the season.

The NFL might not have the “on any given Sunday” feel it has in some seasons, but you won’t hear those three teams complaining about it.

Recognize him?

UCLA’s Spencer Havner tried for three seasons to break into the league as a linebacker, first with Washington, then with Green Bay. No luck.

He didn’t need a new career path, just a new position. He switched to tight end for the Packers before this season and Sunday scored his first touchdown. He caught a short pass from Aaron Rodgers, turned up the sideline and dived into the end zone for a 45-yard score, his first as a pro.

Blast from the past

The 49ers were looking for an offensive surge heading into their game at Houston, and they thought the return of running back Frank Gore would provide one. Or maybe it would be the debut of rookie receiver Michael Crabtree that would give them that boost.

Instead, San Francisco got scoring help from the most unexpected of places: forgotten top pick Alex Smith. With Shaun Hill struggling, Smith came off the bench in the second half to throw three touchdown passes and almost lead the 49ers back. Almost.

Recharged

The Chargers exorcised quite a few demons in their thrashing of Kansas City, sending the message that their season isn’t over yet.

They were able to run the ball, gaining 135 yards to more than double their bottom-dwelling average of 57.6. (Running LaDainian Tomlinson near the goal line is still a problem, however.) They protected Philip Rivers, who threw for three touchdowns and 268 yards. And they finally blew out an opponent, albeit a shaky one, something they had yet to do this season.

Next up, San Diego plays host to the Oakland Raiders, whom they have beaten 12 consecutive times.

Octo-Tom

In the second quarter in London, New England opened a 21-0 lead on Tampa Bay. That, coupled with a 59-0 victory over Tennessee a week before, means the Tom Brady-led Patriots had outscored those opponents, 80-0.

Not since the 1985 Chicago Bears had any team run up an 80-0 tab on any opponent or consecutive opponents. That team, of course, went on to win the Super Bowl.

Mirror, mirror

When the 5-0 Colts played at the 0-5 Rams, it was the 12th time in the modern era in which an undefeated team that is 5-0 or better played a winless team that is 0-5 or worse. One of those winless teams wound up winning that game — the 0-5 Giants beat the 5-0 Buccaneers in 1979 — but the Colts-Rams game wasn’t close.

Brett familiar

From gunslinger to game manager . . . and back again. After making it through the first six games of the season with just two interceptions, Minnesota’s Brett Favre looked like the old high-risk, high-reward gambler at Pittsburgh. He had 51 pass attempts for 334 yards, both season highs, but had two turnovers in the fourth quarter that were returned for touchdowns. Lamar Woodley scored on a 77-yard fumble return, and Keyaron Fox returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown.

Did we just see that?

The Jets dominated the Raiders so thoroughly that at one point during the blowout, New York rookie Mark Sanchez was spotted on the bench discreetly eating a hot dog. Sanchez has always said he’s a hungry player, and, hey, a guy’s got to eat.

Quotes of note

Rivers on San Diego’s 30-point victory: “It was a game we could have scored 50-something, we felt like.”

Mario Williams, Houston defensive end, on fellow No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith: “I didn’t know who the guy was when he came out. I really didn’t.”

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati running back, who ran for a career-high 189 yards against Chicago, a team that cut him in June 2008: “A couple of drives, I found myself having to calm myself down and gather my emotions to stay poised. Once I got past that, we were good to go.”

Week 5 NFL Recap

Dizzel — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:20:29 +0000

Monday October 12, 2009
NY Jets 27
Miami 31

* Final
* | Recap
*

Sunday October 11, 2009
Oakland 7
NY Giants 44

* Final
* | Recap
*

Minnesota 38
St. Louis 10

* Final
* | Recap
*

Cleveland 6
Buffalo 3

* Final
* | Recap
*

Dallas 26
Kansas City 20

* Final
* | Recap
*

Tampa Bay 14
Philadelphia 33

* Final
* | Recap
*

Pittsburgh 28
Detroit 20

* Final
* | Recap
*

Cincinnati 17
Baltimore 14

* Final
* | Recap
*

Washington 17
Carolina 20

* Final
* | Recap
*

Atlanta 45
San Francisco 10

* Final
* | Recap
*

New England 17
Denver 20

* Final
* | Recap
*

Jacksonville 0
Seattle 41

* Final
* | Recap
*

Houston 21
Arizona 28

* Final
* | Recap
*

Indianapolis 31
Tennessee 9

* Final
* | Recap
*

Brett Favre ONLY To EVER Beat All 32 Teams

Dizzel — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:19:49 +0000

Brett Favre | #4 | QB
Height: 6-2 Weight: 222 Age: 39
Born: 10/10/1969 Gulfport , MS
College: Southern Mississippi
Experience: 19th season
High School: Hancock Central HS [Pass Christian, MS]

Yes that is correct. Brett Favre has beat every single team in the nfl. He is the only player to ever do it. And that last game was monday night against his old team, the packers. It was a great game and yes I watched it myself along with that post below this on raw lol. But dont forget I am a colts fan so dont get it twisted.

WWE – RAW Guest Host Ben Roethlisberger Highlights

Dizzel — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:59:38 +0000

WELL LMFAO (i hate the steelers) Big ben was monday night raws guest host and it was funny. Here are some highlights.

The NFL Returns

Dizzel — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:21:46 +0000

Thats right fans ITS Time !!