Category: NFL

Not againnnnnnn!!!

On By kassienetteIn 49ers, NFL2 Comments

faithful

Lawd ha mercy.

In 2011, my beloved San Francisco 49ers lost the NFC Championship courtesy of a fumble on a punt return in overtime by Kyle Williams which lead a game winning field goal for the New York Midgets, I mean Giants.

In 2012, my beloved San Francisco 49ers lost Super Bowl XLVII despite having the ball at the seven yard line with under 2:15 left in regulation. Four downs+no paydirt=HEARTBRAK.

So in 2011, we lose the Championship game. In 2012, we lose the Super Bowl. This would be the year we got back to the Super Bowl and finally completed our Quest, right?????

Wrong. Lawd ha mercy.

Down six with 33 seconds left and TWO timeouts, our beloved QB Colin Kaepernick tried it. With Michael Crabtree in a one on one matchup with Richard Sherman, Kap tried it. NOOOOO!!! Now let me clarify. Yes, I do believe Sherman is the best corner in the game. Revis Island has sunk, for now. I also believe Crabtree has some of the best hands in football. However, with 33 seconds left and TWO timeouts, that was NOT the time to try Sherman especially when throws have not been very accurate the majority of the game. We were moving the ball on them, at will, during that drive. Why not stick with what works?? I will never understand. The more I question it, the more frustrated I get.

We have the best collection of players in the league and when it matters most we cannot seem to get over the hump. FRUSTRATIIIIING.

Hopefully, this will leave the bitter taste in the players mouth that will FINALLY propel us to a Super Bowl victory.

#BangBangNinerGang

P.S. I did not see Sherman’s postgame rant but I have kind of pieced together what he said, thanks to Twitter. I have always been a fan of Sherman’s play and his quotables. His fiery, passionate and one of the best in the league. While I do not agree with his assessment of Crabtree being a sorry receiver, he deserved to talk whatever smack he did. He made THE play when it counted most. Was getting in Crab’s face necessary? Nah. Was the choke sign necessary? Nah. I have issue with his actions not his words.He was interviewed IMMEDIATELY after the game was over and I am pretty sure that the majority of the players in the league would be just as excited as he was. Maybe not as loud but definitely excited. A reporter stuck a microphone in my face after my 9ers beat my Panthers last week and I could barely formulate a decent sentence :-}. It is much harder than it looks. Oh and that handshake he offered was definitely sarcastic.

P.P.S. The league has GOT to do something about the zeebs(refs) and the replay system. Now before you try me and assume I am blaming the refs for this lost(you should know better than that by now), I am not. I am still dumbfounded over the NaVorro Bowman play. That rule has got to be changed ASAP. Aaaaaaand, the fact that the referee CLEARLY did not know the rules for “running/roughing” the kicker. Lawd ha mercy.

P.P.P.S. My thoughts and prayers are with arguably the best LB in the league, Bowman and starting guard Mike Iupati.

P.P.P.P.S. I will let ya’ll know next week who I will be rooting for in Super Bowl XLVIII. If you know me well, then you already know who I am going with.

faithful

Kassie’s NFL ReKap, Week 11

On By kassienetteIn 49ers, Food, Football, NFL, SportsLeave a comment

Oh boy! Oh boy!! A rare feat. My 9ers AND my Panthers both won this week. My 9ers got a much needed win over the downward spiraling Redskins. Hey! A dubya is a dubya. My Panthers finished another game and squeaked out a win over the Dolphins for their 7th dubya in a row. 7Up for everyone!

Was hoping to get the trifecta. However, Peyton the Broncos could not pull out the win in the always chilly Foxborough. I do not even want to talk about how the game ended. So anti-climatic. Oh and Tom Brady berated another referee but of course no one talked about that yesterday.

The Steelers beat the Browns. The Steelers now actually have a realistic chance of making the playoffs. Told ya’ll. Any Given Sunday. Or Monday. Or Thursday.

Shoutout to fellow Wolfpacker, Tampa Bay QB, Mike Glennon with the dubya. Unfortunately, it was over fellow Wolfpacker Stephen Tulloch’s Lions.

The Vikings and the packers done messed around and couldn’t get right. Their game ended in a tie. *snickers*

The Bears got run over by the Rams. Yeah, those Rams.

The Chargers handed the Chiefs their second lost. Shoutout to fellow Wolfpacker, Chargers QB, Philip Rivers who 27-39 with 392 yards and three TDs. I see you Philly Cheese!

*yawns* The Ravens beat the Jets.

The Cardinals, who are surprisingly and quietly seven and four, mollywopped the Colts. I mean what they did was not even right. Sheesh.

Why is no one talking about the Texans? They have lost nine games straight. This most recent lost was at the hands of the Jaguars. I think I just answered my own question.

The five and six Titans are now back on the playoff hunt with their win over the Raiders. Kool.

The Saints sqoze out a win against the Falcons. Would have been real embarassing if they lost. Maybe next week!

Lastly, the Cowboys beat the Giants. We all know what happens next. Let the annual Dallas December Debacle commence.

#NoNewFans

On By kassienetteIn Football, NFL, Panthers, SportsLeave a comment

I am still kicking myself for not making the drive down to Charlotte last night. I had to listen to my body though. To say I was tired would have been an understatement. It is at times like these that I need a chauffeur. Any takers??

Last night was a BIG night for my Carolina Panthers. No we did not lock up home field advantage for the playoffs. No we did not clinch the division. No we did not clinch a playoff spot. What we did do last night is FINISH. On Monday night. Against a Tom Brady led squad. We FINISHED. Something we have struggled to do the last three years. Last night was a statement game in the Queen City. A chance to show the world that the Panthers, at least for this season, are a force to be reckoned with. And to think, just seven weeks ago, A LOT of you were calling young Cameron Newton a fluke and wanted head coach Ron Rivera fired. Now you all are all over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram bragging about how you have been a fan since day one. Blah. Blah. Blah.

{Source: Google Images}
{Source: Google Images}

Let me tell you this. A REAL FAN NEVER gives up on their team. Sure, a real fan can criticize to some extent. A real fan can wonder aloud why a certain play was called. A real fan can even turn the channel when things get a little too rough. You have to turn back though. Do not be THAT fan. However, REAL FANS do not give up on their team. Especially after a 1 and 3 start. Four games into the season I saw it happen. A REAL FAN is always an optimist even if the reality staring you in the face is inevitable. You have to believe in your team at all times. Through the good and the bad. REAL CAROLINA PANTHER FANS should have never given up on this team. Helloooooo. Do you know who is one the roster?? Cameron Newton. Steve Smith. Luke Keuchly. Thomas Davis. Mike Tolbert. Graham Gano. Brandon LaFell. DeAngelo Williams. Greg Olsen. Charles Johnson. Do I even need to continue?? With that kind of talent a turnaround was bound to happen at some point. Did I expect it to happen the way that it did? Nope but we have seen it happen before. Remember the 2011 New York Midgets, I mean Giants, who entered the playoffs with a 9-7 record and went on to win the Super Bowl. Yeah. Any Given Sunday. Or Monday. Or Thursday.

Last night I screamed, whooped and talked trash. You know, what I normally do during games. Then it happened. Someone tried it. They came after my FANHOOD. Big mistake. Most of you know how I am about my FANHOOD but for those of you who do not, I will provide you with the scoop. My peeps love to joke me all the time about my FANHOOD because I am a fan of two teams. They tell me I can not be a fan of two teams. It does not work that way. Ask me if I care though :-}? My life. My rules. My FANHOOD. However, for those followers who do not know how this came about, here it goes…

10.26.93. The day the NFL announced Charlotte would be receiving a team. I remember sitting in my living room watching the presser. I was so excited! I have been a die-hard and Faithful fan of the San Francisco 49ers since approximately 1984/85. I was raised in a household where you were a fan of your team no matter what. Exiting my relationship with my 49ers was out of the question so the only logical thing to do was to be a fan of both teams. And that is the stance I have taken since 1993. I have cheered for both teams. I have been mad when both teams have lost very close games. I was in Charlotte on 02.01.04 for SuperBowl 38. How could I not be? My Panthers were just 1-15 two years prior. I am still a tad upset about last year’s SuperBowl debacle especially since my 49ers may not make it back this year if they keep playing the way they have been playing. I shall remain optimistic though. As you can see, I experience a wide range of emotions every year.

Last night, I was proud to call myself a Carolina Panthers fan. Last night I was proud to be a North Carolinian. And last night I was proud to say I am a Carolina Panthers fan who has been there since day one. For us day one fans, last night was a big deal. We have not had much to cheer about for the last decade. Last night was for us. The fans who saw the Panthers play in Memorial Stadium on the campus of Clemson University during their first year. The fans who can remember singing the “Nothing can be finer than to be in Carolina for a Panthers football gaaaame!” during the first few years in Ericsson. The fans who have original Howl Towels. That win was for us! Those who stuck around during the tough times. Those that did not give up on the team. Those who are proud that in that particular moment when our team had a chance to make a statement, it did just that. I am sure some people will say we are being real extra right now but who cares! While we do not know what will be the ultimate outcome of this season, it feels good, for now, to be fans of one of the hottest teams in the league right now. It feels good to have more double yous than losses. It feels good to say I AM A CAROLINA PANTHERS FAN!

And to those of you who want to now call yourself a fan or you were not a fan before young Cameron Newton took over behind center, please do us a Michael Jackson favor and “Beat It!” We know who you are and we are not afraid to call you out. Consider that your warning. #NoNewFans.

Until next time….TOODELLS!!!

Oh. P.S. For all you Pats fans who are still crying about the flag/no flag, TUCK RULE ANYONE?

The Jonathan Martin Wake-Up Call

On By kassienetteIn Controversy, Football, NFL, SportsLeave a comment

I am going to keep this real short and simple.

Jonathan Martin of the Miami Dolphins has EVERY RIGHT to feel the way he does about the way he has been treated. I know football is a violent sport. I know football is a lot of times more of a metal game than it is physical. I know to play football you have to be “tough.” However, just because a person plays football does not mean that person has to tolerate to a culture of vulgarity, lewdness and racism . If all the allegations that are coming out of the Dolphins camp is true then someone has some explaining to do. No one, absolutely not one, should have to work in an environment that is hostile, hateful and demeaning. Football or not. If that is what you are cool with, so be it. I will definitely be looking at you strange. If that is NOT what you are cool with, then you have every right to whistleblow.

From what I know of Martin’s background, he was raised in a two parent household, both of whom graduated from Harvard. Martin had the opportunity to go to Harvard but passed on the chance so he could play football at Stanford. He was the guy who protected Indianapolis Colts’ QB, Andrew Luck’s blindside. My mother made a very thought provoking statement last night as we discussed this matter. She eloquently stated that “how are we suppose to teach kids that bullying is not ok when there are grown people out here who feel it is ok?” Great question Ma. You do not want to call it bullying? What would you call it then? And do not give me that “He is a grown man. He is too old to be bullied,” mess. We are all different. What may bother me may not bother the next person and vice versa.

This just reeks of “grown men” who are so insecure of themselves that they have to belittle someone in order have a sense of power. I believe Martin was right in walking away from the team. His state of mind, well being and sanity obviously were not high on the Dolphins priority list. I refuse to believe the front office did not know what was going on. It is not a cowardly act. It is an act of someone who understands their worth and would rather hold on to their dignity rather than lower their standards to please others. It takes a STRONG man to go up against an NFL team. Well done Jonathan Martin.

Until next time….TOODELLS.

The Mecca of Sports…Boston??

On By kassienetteIn Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, MLB, NBA, NFL, SportsLeave a comment

So on the real, I think we have all been sleeping on the greatness of Boston sports in the past decade. This region has been dominating all over the professional map. Did you realize that since 2004, the New England Patriots have won the Superbowl, the Boston Bruins have won the Stanley Cup(2011), the Boston Celtics have won the NBA Championship(2008) and the Boston Red Sox have won the Word Series twice(2004 & 2007) and can clinch their third in 10 years tonight??!! Crazyyyyyyyyy. Boston is one of those cities that seems to be real laid back. That is just me judging from afar since I have never been. It does not get the shine that cities like LA, New York, Atlanta and Miami do. It is not a flashy town but I do love, love, loooooove the city for giving me New Edition and New Kids on the Block. Oh and Mark Wahlberg. I cannot forget about Marky Mark. Let the Sox get this ring, you can betcha by golly wow that I will be getting me a Boston Strong shirt.

 

Until next time…TOODELLS.

Irsay what???

On By kassienetteIn Controversy, NFL, SportsLeave a comment

Without a doubt, the most anticipated football matchup this week is the Denver Broncos vs. the Indianapolis Colts. Peyton Manning vs. his old team. Peyton Manning vs. his “replacement” Andrew Luck.

As if this matchup was not already hyped up enough, Colts owner Jim Irsay decided to add fuel & kerosene to an already smoking fire this week by making one of the most ridiculous statements I have heard in a while…..”(Tom) Brady never had consistent numbers, but he has three of these (championship rings,” Irsay told USA Today. “Pittsburgh had two, the Giants had two, Baltimore had two and we had one. That leaves you frustrated. You make the playoffs 11 times, and you’re out in the first round seven out of 11 times. You love to have the Star Wars numbers from Peyton and Marvin (Harrison) and Reggie (Wayne). Mostly, you love this (referring to his Super Bowl ring).

Hol lup, did he REALLY just say that? Now most of you already know how I am when it comes to #18. Rarely do I have to defend him because no one ever has anything really bad to say about him. The only knock on him has been that in the postseason he has “choked” many times. That, in my opinion, is just that, an opinion. Yes, there were times where something #18 did cost them a chance to score. There were times when he did not put up the numbers that we were used to seeing. There were times where he just simply had bad games. Hey, it happens. He is human. Remind me again how many rings Dan Marino won?

We all know this one fact: no one has done more for the Indianapolis Colts franchise than Peyton Manning. And he deserves more respect than what he is getting right now from his former boss. To me, Irsay sounds bitter. Sounds like he is not confident in his decision to release #18. I honestly do not blame him for not being confident. Unless you have been up under a rock, you know that #18 is having his best season ever. That says a lot because we are talking about a four time MVP here.  The fact that a lot of times when the Colts are brought into the conversation it is because of what #18 is doing in Denver has got to be eating Irsay up.

Of course Irsay will claim he is not bitter. If that is the case then there was no need to make this ridiculous statement two years after the fact. If you felt that way then you should have said something back then. Or how about just keeping your mouth shut. Everything that is thought does not need to be said. And when Tony Dungy starts inserting himself into the mix, to essentially defend #18, then you have a real issue on your hands because Dungy NEVER shares details of private conversations. Just when I thought things could not get even more interesting…

To say I am ready for Sunday’s showdown, Pony vs. Pony, would be an understatement. I hope #18 torches the Colts. I am talking record number torch. It would be the best thank you gift he could provide Irsay with.

The Minnesota Wake-Up Call: Pray for AP

On By kassienetteIn Controversy, Football, NFL, Sports2 Comments

Now ya’ll know I do not normally blog on Saturdays but ya’ll are working my nerves with this Adrian Peterson story. So here goes my two cents…

Right now, I could care less if AP just found out about this child two months ago or two weeks ago, A CHILD IS DEAD!!! Right now, I could care less if AP was cheating on his fiance whom he has been in a relationship with since college, A CHILD IS DEAD! Right now, I could care less if AP decides to play tomorrow against the Panthers, A CHILD IS DEAD! A CHILD IS DEAD PEOPLE! Instead of focusing on this fact, all I have seen people do is argue and bicker about who is responsible for the child’s death. Are ya’ll serious right now? Ultimately, the blame is with Joseph Patterson, the man accused of beating the young child. I have seen people blaming the mother because supposedly she knew about his past which included prior abuse of children. If that is true, then yes the mother is to blame as well for endangering her child, knowingly. I have seen people blaming AP for not being a present father in the child’s life. When I first heard the news, one of the first stories I read stated that the son was one that AP just recently found out about that lived in South Dakota. I do not know how everyone else missed this because I was stunned to see so many memes and pictures of AP with his son, Adrian Jr, whom I am almost positive is more than two years old and lives with him. Ya’ll know how people are though. Folks heard the story and ran with it…ran all over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with pictures of the son that is alive and well. SMH.

It would be great if we could live in a world where people did not jump to conclusions. Yes, it seems as if AP had a child that no one or very few people knew about. Again, it has been reported that AP only found out about the child recently. To assume that AP is a “deadbeat or absentee father” because he met the child on his deathbed is ridiculous. None of us knows why he just met the child. At two years of age, children are very much coming into their own identity and to insert a “stranger” into the mix that will be around for the rest of the child’s life is a tedious process. 

I have seen people accuse AP of not grieving because he has said he will play in the game versus the Panthers. How do you know he is not grieving? How do you know football is not an outlet for him? How do you know that he is not experiencing a wide range of emotions so instead of getting caught up in them, he has decided to partake in the one thing that is familiar to him? The funny thing is that if he was openly weeping and mourning, people would be accusing him of being fake and phony because he just met the child. He can not win.

Honestly, I do not care to know the details of the situation. AP made that bed and has to sleep in it. Regardless, it does not change the fact that A CHILD IS DEAD! An innocent little baby boy.  Instead of pointing fingers, I will continue to do what I have done since I heard the news yesterday: pray for AP, his family, all those involved and children everywhere. It is the least I can do.

 

REST IN HEAVENLY PEACE LITTLE BABY BOY. You are now in the place where you can never be harmed again.