Four Down Territory: NFL Week 12
Josh Gordon claimed that he made 10K a month selling weed at Baylor. I don’t know about you but I’m seriously questioning my life decisions.
I’m kidding. Stay in school and don’t do drugs, kids.
Gordon’s story is one of the most interesting tales of any athlete well…ever. The wildest part is that he’s only 26.
Okay, let’s start the drive.
1st Down
The Michael Crabtree and Aqib Talib beef got a whole lot better Sunday and you can’t find a happier camper than me. The Broncos/Raiders game didn’t drum up much interest to begin with so I appreciate Crabtree starting a brawl.
Quick recap: last year Talib snatched Crabtree’s chain during a week seventeen matchup. I gave props to Michael for keeping his cool and not dropping Talib then because of the playoff implications. I still believe that.
This, thankfully, is a new year and Crabtree had revenge on his mind.
It all started with your normal play. Michael was blocking Aqib when the Bronco decided to, you guessed it, snatch Michael’s chain! Naturally Crabtree threw Talib to the ground and the fight was on.
It needs to be pointed out that during the previous play Crabtree punched Chris Harris in the stomach because you have to take out Talib’s backup. He was thinking like a true Raider.
The fight was broken up pretty quickly but they still got some good blows in. Michael seemed to be more ready than Talib to fight but guys like him don’t snatch chains if they aren’t ready to throw down. Even Deebo knocked some people out after stealing their stuff.
You’re probably asking why this didn’t happen earlier this year while playing in Denver, the scene of the original chain snatching. That’s because the retaliation had to happen in Oakland. It just wouldn’t be right otherwise.
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Both received two game suspensions, which feels right. The NFL has gotten a lot wrong while punishing players but this has come to a head. This punishment was not so much a message to other players but a stern warning to Talib and Crabtree.
Crabtree did what he had to do, though. You just can’t let someone do you like that without attempting to kick their ass. It’s just a principle. The only thing Michael can do now is wait for him in the locker room and settle it the old fashion way….
2nd Down
Eli Apple, along with the entire Giants team, have had a forgettable season. Apple has been getting the majority of the headlines because of his effort, or lack thereof, during games.
His coaches and teammates seem to be harsher than the media.
During the Nov. 15 team film study it’s reported that both the coaches and team were extremely hard on Apple. The criticism became so harsh that Eli thought about walking out on the team twice.
After talking to head coach McAdoo the Ohio State corner decided to stay and finish out the activities for the day.
While we’re talking about McAdoo doesn’t he look like the guy who double parks his beat up 1988 Ford F150 because it’s a “classic.” He also looks like the guy who’s cleaning his shotgun while his daughter’s date comes in to pick her up for prom. Oh oh oh he looks like the guy who says “eh, what can go wrong?” when his buddies ask him if he can balance an apple on his head why they shoot arrows at it.
Okay, one more and I’m done.
McAdoo looks like the guy who hasn’t benched in 12 years but decides to “teach them young boys how WE used to do it.”
Back to Apple.
I agree that he hasn’t had the best season but given his circumstances I think he deserves a pass. Recently his mother, and a great Twitter follow, Annie Apple had brain surgery. It was successful but it’s still brain surgery. How “locked in” would you be knowing that someone is going to split your mom’s skull open to operate. Prior to being drafted there were issues about Eli’s maturity and “life skills.” That still might be an issue but it’s reckless to tie that concern to this situation.
Last thing. He’s 22. How many of us were fully ready for the real world two years into our twenties?
3rd Down
Antonio Brown was brilliant Sunday night. The Steeler receiver ended the game with ten receptions, 169 yards, and two touchdowns. Earlier on Sunday, Julio Jones exploded for thirteen receptions, 268 yards, and two touchdowns of his own. These performances have raised an interesting question; which one would you take?
This can only be settled one way. Blind resumes!
Receiver 1: 563 Receptions. 8,649 Yards. 43 Touchdowns. 90 Games Played.
Receiver 2:Â 712 Receptions. 9,572 Yards. 58 Touchdowns. 112 Games Played.
So, who ya got? I’d tell you which receiver is which but that’s not fun.
4th Down:
Alex Smith is in a slump and history is on the verge of repeating itself. After winning the first five games the Chiefs have lost five out of the last six. Smith is playing awful ball and the whispers of Patrick Mahomes starting are turning getting louder. In San Francisco Smith was benched for Kaepernick and it lead to him leaving. If he doesn’t right the ship soon, like yesterday, he could be on his way out in Kansas City.
Extra Points:
Ryan Mallet being in the league is more confusing than Gruden’s affection for traditional tight ends. LeBron admitting that Carson Wentz is his favorite player to watch is salt in the wound for Cowboy fans. The actual wound is finding out that Dak isn’t that great without Zeke. Tom Savage vs. Blaine Gabbart is peak quarterback mediocrity. Anyone else interested in a Justin Tucker show?
Before I forget, receiver 1 is Julio and receiver 2 is AB. This is your reward for following through and finishing Four Down Territory.
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As always, thanks for reading.
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