Sunday, September 12, 2010

Micheal Vick-Led Eagles Comeback vs Packers Ignites Twitter

Vick 
Philadelphia Eagles Michael Vick came in for Kevin Kolb, who left the game against The Green Bay Packers with a concussion, and is leading the Eagles from down 20 to 3 to now behind 27 to 20. As of this writing, it's 5:17 left and Twitter's going nuts.

Michael Vick is a Top Twitter Trend, right behind, CALA BOCA COLORIDAS, Everybody Hates Restart, and Kevin Kolb, who he replaced. Here are some of the tweets:


_ItsJustTY - RT @BowWow Mike Vick is back!!!! Wow he look like the old vick
half a minute ago via Touiteur

insanityreport - Mike Vick is like "This should be my job bitch"
4 minutes ago via TweetDeck

RMRstarPat - @ChoppSkeeno: Mike vick tearin shyt up ryte now <== @MVick7 is the man for real...always has been less than a minute ago via Echofon


It's an amazing story in the making, as many around America have been rooting for Micheal Vick's comeback, since his two-year stay in jail for a dog fighting conviction.

Philadelphia is out of time outs, but about to get the ball with 5:11 remaining in the 4th Quarter. Now it's 3rd and 13 - Eagles have two downs. Vick throws, and sets up a 4th and 1 play.

But for some reason, the Eagles have Vick go up the middle, rather than around end. That I do not get at all.  Packers snap it from the Victory formation.

Woe.  But wow. What a game, anyway.

Kevin Kolb Out, Michael Vick In: Eagles Score, Packers Still Lead 27-10

Michael Vick 
The Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers game was to feature Donovan McNabb-replacement Quarterback Kevin Kolb against The Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers. But Kolb was knocked out of the game; Michael Vick, who has experience, more experience, in the same offense, came in and directed the Eagles to their first touchdown. The Packers were up 20 to 3, now, it's 20 to 10.

So far, Vick is 5 of 7 for 39 yards and has an amazing 31 yard run to set up the touchdown.

But the Packers came back, scoring on a 32 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings.

If Vick can match that, we have a game. But the Eagles Defense is going to have to contain the Packer's passing game.

VMA's Chelsea Handler With Justin Bieber: Tells @kimkardashian Watch Armenian Back

Bieber with Handler 
Chelsea Handler, feeling her blonde 35-year old oats before the Video Music Awards tonight, takes a photo, the one you see, with 17-year old Justin Bieber, then tells Kim Kardashian via Twitter to "Watch her Armenian back."

Chelsea's known for racial and ethnic-based humor, but apparently it didn't go over well. Kim Kardashian failed to respond on Twitter.

According to MTV, Handler and Kardashian have a feud going, that's referred to as a "catfight."

Chelsea called Bieber two faced for two-timing with her and Kim, and claims she used to like Kardashian but now they have to be separated from each other via a rope at the VMAs.

Well, all of this reads like fake fighting for publicity. If they want to generate a lof of pub, they should meet at a Hollwood bar with Bieber and make out.

Let's see if they fight at the VMA's tonight.

VMA Predictions from Nikky Raney




Nikky Raney's predictions for the 2010 MTV VMAs.

Pete Carroll Enjoys First Seattle Seahawks Touchdown

Pete Carroll
Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll is having fun. That much is evident as he enjoys the Seattle Seahawks first touchdown in their game against the San Francisco 49ers.

It marks Carroll's first score in his new NFL career: a one-yard run by Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, after a nice 17 yard catch by Wide Receiver Mike Williams, who looks like a new man in Seattle after four years of floundering.

Pete Carroll A Fan On The Field

But Coach Carroll's the one who looks like a new man. Free of the worry about the future of the USC Football program, Carroll cheers on players, slaps five with his assistants, and greets players like Matt after they score.

Carroll bring an infectious college-type attitude to the NFL that's great to see.

Matthew Stafford Injured: Detroit Lions 14, Chicago Bears 19

Stafford 
Matthew Stafford's injury and the Detroit Lions' loss to the Chicago Bears 14 to 19, this blogger's prediction of the Detroit Lions being in the NFC Championship Game has taken a massive blow.

Stafford is the Lions second year quarterback, and along with their other new young players, represents the best hope for the team to achieve any playoff-related success.

That can't happen if he can't play; Matthew Stafford was sacked by Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers, forcing him out of the game because of a right shoulder injury in the second quarter.

Shaun Hill replaced Stafford.

Matthew Stafford Injury By: Nikky Raney




Matthew Stafford is the Detroit Lions quarterback; today he suffered a crushing sack from Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers late in the second quarter. Stafford's right shoulder injury forced him out of the game.

Sport's Illustrated
Last season Stafford has a left shoulder injury which caused him to miss four gamess. This season has just started, and Stafford was standing on the sideline with his arm in a sling while he watched Shaun Hill replace him in the third quarter.

Before Stafford was injured he led two touchdowns for the team. His injury occurred with 20 seconds left in the first half.

Calling Senator George Voinovich (R) Ohio


The 99ers will be calling Senator George Voinovich (R) Ohio in droves when Congress reconvenes next week.

It is not often these days that we see a Republican do the right thing for America, but Senator George Voinovich is no stranger to bucking his party. He announced last week that he will vote to start debate on the Small Business bill as well as the $50 billion infrastructure stimulus spending bill. It appears that he will want to add an amendment pulling the 1099 reporting requirement that was included in the Affordable Care Act as his only quid pro quo.

Voinovich's support for the measures really exposes the bankruptcy of the current Republican strategy, otherwise known as "No."

According to the Washington Post:
In an interview, Voinovich said he could no longer support efforts by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to delay the measure in hopes of winning the right to offer additional GOP amendments. Most of the proposed amendments "didn't have anything to do with the bill" anyway, Voinovich said, and amounted merely to partisan "messaging."

"We don't have time for messaging. We don't have time anymore. This country is really hurting," Voinovich said.

The retiring Senator Voinovich may be just what the 99er Nation has been praying for and are urged to contact his offices in mass this week. http://voinovich.senate.gov/

Washington D.C. office
phone: 202-224-3353

Cincinnati, OH
phone: (513) 684-3265 fax: (513) 684-3269

Cleveland, OH
phone: (216) 522-7095 fax: 522-7097

Columbus, OH
phone: (614) 469-6697 fax: 469-7733

Nelsonville, OH
phone: (740) 441-6410 fax: (740) 753-3551

Toledo, OH
phone: (419) 259-3895 fax: (419) 259-3899


Thank the Senator for putting the American people before politics and encourage him to do the same thing for The Americans Want to Work Act, S3706. The 99er Nation cannot wait as we too are out of time.

Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans: Raiders Last Pass Questionable

Oakland Raiders Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson is one of this blogger's favorite coaches. But this outing, his first game with the Raiders and against the Tennessee Titans is disappointing.

On a 4th Down and 10 play, Jackson called a three-to-one formation where there are three receivers on one side of the play and one on the other. For seemingly the hundredth time, Jackson called a play that had Raiders Quarterback Jason Campbell throw to the strongside receiver. Meanwhile, the loan receiver on the other side who get single coverage is ignored.

Not good. Not smart.

The play pass was complete for less than 10 yards, rather than throwing the weakside fade for a chance at a touchdown.

Geez.

Indy Colts Sanders Injured Again In Houston Texans Game

One reason I believed the Indianapolis Colts should go with a safety like Taylor Mays in the 2010 NFL Draft is they've been riding the much-injured horse that is Safery Bob Sanders for too long. Now, again, Bob Sanders is hurt.

He injured his elbow in today, Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Sanders is not expected to return and it's not reported for how long he will be out.

Meanwhile, the Colts, down 10 to 20 for the Texans, are driving an in Houston territory with 12:32 in the 4th Quarter.

If the Colts can stop beating themselves, they could win.

Titans 30, Raiders 6, 3rd Q - How Raiders Can Come Back

At first, the Tennessee Titans score of 30 to the Oakland Raiders 6 would seem to be almost insurmountable. Especially listening to the ex-San Diego Charger Dan Fouts. It's not.

First, offensively, the Raiders and Titans are almost similar looking at the stats at the half: 8 first downs to 11 for the Titans. But the Titans have had big plays, leading to 108 yards for Oakland to to 261 yards for Tennessee.

The Raiders problems offensively, aside from the center snap errors, are one of the types of plays called by Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson. Jackson's calling pass plays that call for Quarterback Jason Campbell to throw to the strongside of the offense, the side with the most receivers. In the running game, they go right at the Titans, save for one end-around with Darren McFadden.

When the Raiders go three wide receivers on one side, they throw in that direction. When the Raiders call a running play, it's not a counter action play. And they finally got Zack Miller running a post route down the middle as I blog...but then go right back to the runs to one side without a fake step.

Why all this? Because the Titans are going after the ball like someone took their wallet. That kind of play calls for misdirection and weakside passing. That's a textbook approach. Why Hue Jackson's not doing that is beyond me.

Calling long developing trick plays don't work because the Titans Defense, as you saw, if you were watching the game, zeros in on that too fast.

Frustrating to watch.

If I had to rein in Hue, I'd say, you need to call the following: rollouts, bootlegs, three-steps, five-steps, play action. No seven-step passes, which have been called on several occasions. Draws? Yes. Screens? No, because they're playing man-for-man. Counter-action runs.  And no-huddle. And short passes to McFadden - again, and again.

That would keep Oakland's Defense off the field.

Cal vs. Colorado: Keenan Allen Heisman Watch Week 2: 10, 186, 2 TDs

Keenan Allen leaves 'em grabbing for air. 
Cal Football Freshman Wide Receiver Keenan Allen's second game in College Football was as impressive as his first one, but in a way you'd not have expected.

Rather than being the big play receiver against Colorado, where Cal won 52 to 7 Saturday, Allen was the one moving the chains. He had 6 receptions for 66 yards and an 11 yard average. In fact, the one big play, a lovely 62 yard bomb, came from QB Kevin Riley to Junior Wide Receiver Marvin Jones.

But Keenan Allen was the leading receiver.

In total, so far, Allen has 10 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns. How does he compare with his older teammate Jones? Jones has 8 catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

Overall, according to ESPN, Allen is the 26th ranked receiver in the nation. But in looking at the overall statistics, guess what? Kevin Riley's the number two quarterback in America in College Football.

That's something to rave about, and for a Cal QB that fans are at times, a bit too hard on.

But this is the big leagues. It ain't Intramurals, brother!