NFL DRAMA AWARDS !

Who will win?








My original idea for this post was a kind of Drama award for the NFL.

We certainly have had (and continue to have) plenty of teams, coaches, owners and players all worthy of some sort of Headline or Drama award this year.

I even had a couple top contenders in mind (Vikings and Brett Favre) vs ( Redskins, AH, McNabb, Shanahan). Yes the Redskin side out numbers the Vikings, but only in candidates.

There are plenty of other contenders out there and everyone (fans), depending on their loyalties and personalities, will have his or her own favorites.

The first dilemma I encountered was how to choose and whom?

One way might be to go simply by number of news articles for 2010. I quickly realized, that despite my , and a certain followers preferences, the previously mentioned; surprisingly are NOT necessarily top contenders.

Google 2010 news articles:

Brett Favre --------- 19K results
Donovan McNabb ------ 9K results
Albert Haynesworth -- 4K results
Mark Sanchez -------- 11K results
Minnesota Vikings --- 21K results
New York Jets ------- 28K results
New York Giants ----- 31K results

I could have done more but I did not feel like going through every possible team and player combination out there.

Another way to choose a winner might be to go simply by popularity.
For this I turned to social media to look for answers.
Again, I found some surprising results.

Teams with most Facebook fans:

#1 Dallas Cowboys
#2 Pittsburgh Steelers
#3 New Orleans Saints
#4 New England Patriots

#6 Minnesota Vikings
#10 Washington Redskins

Then we have the number of people who “like” something, or in this case, somebody else:

673K people like the Minnesota Vikings
440K people like the Washington Redskins
1.16 million people like the New England Patriots
1.26 million people like the Steelers

But what about some of the players?

T.O. has 390K people who like him (obviously there is no accounting for taste as you will soon see)
Favre 98K like him
Mcnabb 40K like him
Only 1K people like Haynesworth.
Randy Moss, has 170K liking him.

Ochocinco 1.3 million people like him (Really?)

And, sad to say, two of my personal favorite NFL role models:

5K like Darrell Green.
2.5K like London Fletcher.

Twitter had some equally interesting results for top followers:

#4 Kerry Rhodes
#7 Mark Sanchez
#9 NY Jets
#11 New England Patriots
#16 ndamukong_suh
#21 Vikings

Oh, and now for something completely different, one funny listing I saw regarding “most retweeted” for 2010 . . .








OK, now that I have totally digressed beyond / past my original idea, let me pull everyone back to how to choose and present an award.

For this, I took inspiration from the original photo I so grandiosely trashed. The Oscars and the Academy Awards.

Instead of creating a dull and most likely incomplete poll, I am going to create discussion threads on my Fumbled Returns Facebook Fan Page with the following Categories:

Best NFL Actor
Best NFL Art or Sign
Best NFL Fan Costume
Best Rant
Best Action Shot
Best Sound Effect
Best Unscripted Comment
Best Dance
Best Score
Best Commercial
And stealing one from categories turned down . . .
Best Juvenile Award

Within these discussion threads anybody will be able to nominate their own personal suggestion / link and or agree with one that is already there.
I will keep the threads open through the remainder of the season, including the playoffs and super bowl.

And in keeping with the original inspiration, tally the votes and announce the awards sometime around the real academy awards in 2011.

So, you all have some time to think about your choice awards for each category and submit an entry.

Submit multiple entries if you like.

Or confirm that you end up liking one already there.

Lets see who wins!

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MoneysWorth

Well, it is now officially playoff season.

Fantasy Football Playoffs that is.

And I have managed to qualify in both my leagues.

First, in my Borderless League, I limped into the playoffs by loosing my last 2 games by a heart wrenching 6 total points. No matter, even though I had a mediocere 7 - 6 record, I had the second highest point total in the 12 team league. I won my division (the top 3 teams all tied with a 7 - 6 record) because of that high point total. That means I win the division and I get that all important 1st round bye and a guarenteed extra $50 bucks!

In my Fumbled Returns League of Experts I again won my division as well. Though no money was involved, I do get bragging rights! :-)

On the real football front, it appears that the Redskin organization has FINALLY getting around to expelling Sir Albert and attempting to recover some of the insanely high priced salary cap hit they have taken.



















Has this proven to be a distraction?
Yes.
Was signing him in the first place a stupid thing to do?
Yes.
Were Shanny and Allen dealt a bad hand?
Yes.
Now that he is "technically" gone, will this continue to be a distraction?
Yes.

Reports are asking, and will continue to ask every coach and player and fan possible...

Was this a distraction?
Are you glad it is finally over?
Do you think he will be back next year?

We should have cut him before the season even started, or at least put him on the physically/mentally unable to perform list.

You could have gotten a lot more money back.

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Ship AH to Tampa for Michael Clayton?

Hey, now here is a rumor that I could support!

From The Early Lead.

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Feeling the Heat

Albert:

"I was in a hot tub, felt dizzy, got sick. They told me it was just a headache. Probably wanted to make themselves look good and me bad."

Them:

"I don't think it has anything to do with his head."





Shanahan and Allen have handled the whole Albert situation in such a way as to teach him a lesson.

Obviously he has not learned it.

Can we please do one of the following?

Cut, Trade, or place Albert on IR.

Too bad players who have accrued at least one season under contract can't be placed on the practice squad.

Imagine tha irony of putting Albert on the practice squad . . .

That would be too funny.

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On the Schedule

ESPN is reporting that Big Al is going to take the test again on Saturday.

Saturday is also Fan Appreciation day at Redskin Park. Last year, we were there and had a great time, nearly 29,000 people attended.

This must be the Redskins and ESPN's version of The Decision.

I can see the schedule of events now... (taken from the redskins.com site)

At 10:15 a.m., the Redskins Marching Band and the Redskins Cheerleaders perform on the field for approximately 45 minutes.

After all, Big Al needs all the attention and encouragement that he can get.

Also, raffle drawings are announced during this time --

and the wagering table opens up to take bets - - Two lines - - "Pass" and "Fail"

Oh and watch our for low flying objects , as in the "I was there" T-shirt toss into the crowd!

Sometime between 11-11:30 a.m., Redskins general manager Bruce Allen is scheduled to address fans from the field.

And announce the start of the conditioning test.

After Shanahan’s address, Redskins players arrive on the field to begin warm-ups and compete in drills.

See, I told you!!! that last sentence is completely unaltered!

At 12 noon, practice begins. The team typically mixes in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills with special teams work, but there is no tackling.

My guess is Big Al will miraculously pass and be part of the drills...

The practice is scheduled to last about 90 minutes.

Afterwards, head coach Mike Shanahan will briefly address fans.

He will say how proud he is of Big Al and that he is now in football shape.

All fans in attendance are eligible for free raffles to win autographed Redskins merchandise. The raffles are available at the entrance to training camp.

They need a Big Al bobble head!

Raffles available at Fan Appreciation Day:

-- Panel Footballs

•Signed by Bruce Allen
•Signed by London Fletcher
•Signed by Santana Moss
•Signed by Redskins team

-- Authentic Football

•Signed by Brian Orakpo

-- Practice-Used Footballs

•Signed by Chris Cooley
•Signed by Donovan McNabb
•Signed by Mike Shanahan

-- Replica Jersey

•Signed by LaRon Landry
•Signed by Clinton Portis

-- Redskins Mini-Helmet

•Signed by Doug Williams

-- Empty Doughnut Box

•Signed by Big Al himself!

Fans may get their photo taken with the Super Bowl trophies in a special tent on the grounds of Redskins Park or with Big Al and a larger than life stop watch display of his times!

Of course he still could fail in front of everybody. Then ESPN could call the event something like...

"The Humiliation!"

or,

Judging by ESPN's recent track record regarding their "sources" and will he or won't he stories, maybe we all can expect another soon to be release headline that mentions when ready or healthy.

I just wish the Skins would put Al's Big Butt on IR and be done with it. To bad the MRI was negative. I bet some folks were hoping for a legitimate excuse.

UPDATE

According to ESPN, he passed. WoooHoo! I'm so excited ! No more useless Albert Haynesworth Day XX Watch posts by the media. It's even on the Redskins Site, so it must be true.

Now that is what I call Fan Appreciation!

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Conditioning Test

Albert Haynesworth's conditioning test.

Think it's easy?

25 yards up and back, 6 times, in 70 seconds.

Then again 3.5 minutes later in 73 seconds.

So easy anybody could do it?

Think again.

So, what started out as another "lets trash Albert" post, turned into something quite different.

Here is our Fumbled Returns trial of the Albert Haynesworth conditioning test.

In the first part, my oldest daughter attempts to pass the test, but the fear of sweating made her stop. Who knew there was a teenage girl law against sweating ...
In all fairness, she probably could have passed if she had pushed through it. But just barely.

In the second part my youngest son (4 years old) trys a scaled down version. He is only half as big as anybody else so we shortened it in half. He passed.

In the third part, my daughter and other son ( 10 years old ) attempt the test. Again, in fairness, this is the second run by my daughter (withing the 3.5 minute rest period) but she just misses this cutoff. Though, I believe she had a couple extra obstacles to contend with.

So, in all fairness, it is not as easy as it sounds or looks.

Then again, we aren't being payed $100 million dollars either...

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Notable Redskin Signings and Sightings This Week !!!

With the start of training camp this week excitement and expectations and least we forget, speculations, are running high.

So it only goes to show that there are some important redskin signings this week to kick things off....

Donovan McNabb was at a book signing Tuesday for the "NFL Dads Dedicated to Daughters" book signing at Borders in DC.

McNabb is one of more than 70 current and former NFL players who contributed to the book, which discusses what it's like to have a daughter and what men can do to prevent violence against women. Proceeds from sales go to A Call to Men, a group dedicated to the prevention of domestic abuse. Redskins' cornerback DeAngelo Hall and former Redskin Brian Mitchell also contributed to the book and have previously signed copies.

Then we have the notable Redskin Cheerleaders Hosting a Calendar Party Thusday July 29th at Public Bar in DC.

The Calendar Party gets underway at 7 p.m. and continues to 11 p.m. The event features performances and a fashion show by the new cheerleaders squad, as well as opportunities for autographs and photos.

Proceeds benefit, well, probably the charitable Dan Snyder bank account and the calendar is dedicated to, well, the fans ;-)

And speaking of Dan Snyders bank account and supporting a good cause...















Albert Haynesworth is expected to report to training camp slimmer and in better condition this year.

Conspiracy Theory has him doing this to get on the outside of the line and away from his nose tackle responsibilities.

Pro Haynesworth supporters say this is rather to prove his worth and dedication to football.

Me, I vote for a wait and see approach. To me actions speak louder than words and with that said, Dear Albert is not off to a good start. If he was truly dedicated to football and the team he would have shown up in the spring for OTA's like everyone else.

BTW: There was a really cool article, inspirational reading for Albert, published in the Washington post regarding the noble role nose tackle plays in a good defensive scheme.

Hopefully Dear Albert will read it.

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Waaaaaa - I don't wanna play anymore !!!

OK, so you pay a guy with questionable character issues 30+ million dollars of a 7 year contract within the first 15 months and what do you get?

Exactly what you payed for. A crybaby who gets upset when he doesn't get his way.

Anybody saw this coming, please raise your hands.






I told you you should have picked me. You would have saved a ton of money and I probably could have managed to play as many downs as he did.

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Boring Excitement

That is how I would describe Round 1.

The first half of round one was predictably boring.
The second half was definitely exciting.

The Commish is probably ecstatic too!
What better way to debut in prime time!




First off, the Skins after acquiring a perennial pro bowl caliber QB (Donovan McNabb) in free agency, picked perhaps the best athletic OL player available to help protect him.

Then two division rivals have the nerve to pick defensive players in the 1st round! Sheesh!

Thanks Jerry for picking a WR. We aren't impressed.

Secondly, I was actually impressed with the Broncos trading down and acquiring draft picks. Bravo!
Then they surprised everybody and picked Timmy!
Bravo again! He was not worth the 25th pick, in fact I bet he would have still been there at your 45th 2nd round turn but hey, Kudos for picking him and keeping him out of our division and even conference.
Hey, while you are at it, can you pick up Clausen and McCoy too!
Thanks.

Now I hear the rumors of Haynesworth going to the Vikings... Hey anything is possible. We could certainly us the picks.

I think I am actually liking this new prime time format.

Bravo Roger!

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Some Things I'd Like to See...

Darrell Green's 50th Birthday Dash...


























Absolutely Amazing !
Happy Belated Birthday Darrell!!!

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Albert Haynesworth practicing Washington Redskins new Strength and Conditioning Coach Ray Wright's workout routine which includes...


Yoga and Jiu Jitsu classes !





I can't wait to see those new moves on the field Albert...

Who knows, it could also help prepare for a post football career in the MMA or The Ultimate Fighter competition. see Marcus Jones.

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The Washington Redskins showing restraint during free agency like the Steelers have already announced...

"The Pittsburgh Steelers announced plans to follow a self-imposed salary cap in 2010 and won't take advantage of the lack of a collective bargaining agreement to add more quality free agents than usual."

If they did, this would be the first true test and measure of the new Allen and Shanahan era!

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