TNF: Special Addition?

By Dan Rodgers

Just so everyone knows...it's the middle of the third quarter in the Saturday, excuse me, Thursday Night Football: Special Addition. I'm a bit upset right now for a few reasons:

1: It's not TNF, it's Saturday, which makes it Saturday Night Football. Get it right NFL Network.
2: The Saints are behind the Cowboys 24-3. Saints by seven ain't looking to hot right now...that's unfortunate but there are worse things.
3: Tony Romo is playing well?! Of course I happen to be going against Tony Romo the week he launches a 50-yard bomb to Miles Austin. A few INTs would be nice. You might be thinking, he isn't having a Peyton Manning like day so what's the big deal? The guy also has Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne and Maurice Jones-Drew who of course all had monster days on Thursday.

One thing I did want to bring up is the fact that we finally got to enjoy a football game on Thursday night that was worth watching. The Colts and Jags battled all night trading points and the Colts beat them 35-31 to stay perfect.

Then, the Cowboys jump out and score two quick touchdowns and everyone expects this game to be great as well. But wait, the undefeated, high scoring Saints disappoint us by only putting up three points on the board at half. This is just unfortunate. Not to mention, if you're watching the game you just witnessed Devery Henderson drop a wide open touchdown on the last drive that resulted in a punt. Doesn't look like it will end well in the Big Easy, but who knows, crazier things have happened.

Hopefully this game will get better in the fourth quarter. Currently, Cowboys lead 24-3.

Rodgers That

NFL Week 14: The Down and The Dirty *mini edition

By Dan Rodgers

Don't worry everyone, this should be the last mini edition.

Week 14

The Down

This could be the toughest week I have had yet involving the distribution of the award because of the ridiculously bad play by numerous players this week. Rams replacement QB Keith Null threw for five interceptions (which seems to be somewhat of a fad this season), the Chiefs wonderful new QB Matt Cassel threw for four intercepti0ns, and Bucs rookie Josh Freeman threw for three interceptions and only 93 yards. against the Jets stifling defense. These three quarterbacks were remarkably terrible this past week and deserve to be recognized for their wrongdoing. I couldn't pick just one for the award so I'll let you decide for yourself.

*Other notable terrible performances -
Steven Jackson(STL): 18 carries for 39 yards
Carnell Williams(TB): 11 carries for 14 yards

The Dirty

There were also three offensive players that caught my eye. Two of the efforts were in a losing manner but that doesn't take anything away from it. On Sunday night, Eli Manning exploded on the Eagles defense for 391 yards and three touchdowns. During the one o'clock games, Andre Johnson recorded 11 receptions for 193 yards and two scores. Not to be over shadowed, Brandon Marshall broke the single game reception record with 21, to go along with 200 yards and two scores of his own. Okay, I lied, there is one more person who deserves some recognition: the opposition to Eli, DeSean Jackson. He only recorded six receptions, but logged 178 yards and a touchdown. However, on top of this he added a 72-yard punt return touchdown.

*Other notable downright crazy performances -
Brian Orakpo(WAS): 5 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Dashon Goldson(SF): 6 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception

Rodgers That

Phils add one ace, deal another

By Dan Rodgers

The Philadelphia Phillies have said they have reached an agreement on a 3-year deal worth upwards of $60 million. Oh, I forgot to mention that the deal is with Toronto Blue Jays all-star Roy Halladay. The deal would send Halladay to the Phillies for prospects and in the process the Phillies would send could-have-been World Series MVP Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners for prospects.

This is the kind of deal that baseball fanatics, such as myself, love to see in the offseason because baseball disappears for a few months. So it is nice to see the MLB making headlines in the middle of December. However, it is even better to see that a divisional foe of my Yankees got rid of its ace/Yankee killer. Halladay was always spectacular but especially against the Yankees so I am glad to see him cross over to the NL. However, it is not nice to see that the Phils dealt Cliff Lee, who was phenomenal against the Yanks in the World Series, to the Mariners who are in the AL. Now Seattle has King Felix to go along with Lee and if you as me, that is one of the best one-two punches in the majors.

The Phillies are also looking to sign outfielder-first baseman Ross Gload to add some depth to the team. However, a more notable action is their pursuit of Fernando Rodney or John Smoltz to bolster up their bullpen.

Rodgers That

Sunday's NFL Headlines

By Dan Rodgers

Week 14

1:00

• Hartley field goal keeps Saints perfect - clinch division and first round bye
• 7-6 Ravens rout Lions, stay alive in wild card race
• Late Grant touchdown propels Pack to one game lead in NFC wild card
• Marshall sets reception record despite Colts victory - Clark's third touchdown sealed it
• Fins edge Jags, move into four-way tie for final wild card seed
• Vikes blow out Bengals, clinch playoff birth
• Shaub, Andre put on a show - Houston on the outside looking in for playoffs
• Ugly win, Pats stay game up AFCE
• Jets run over Bucs to keep post-season hopes alive

4:00

• 3 total scores for Johnson, Titans own Rams
• December woes continue for Dallas, Bolts show they belong/extend division lead

SNF

• Eagles fly by Giants, offenses explode for 83 total points

Rodgers That

A first for the Crimson Tide

By Dan Rodgers

Just a quickie here folks.

Not a surprise to many, but to some...Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram has won the 2009 Heisman Trophy. His performance in the SEC championship game against Florida certainly helped his cause, 113 yards and three touchdowns. He finished with over 1,500 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He added 30 receptions for over 300 yards and three more touchdowns, including a 69-yard screen play in the game against Florida.

Ingram received 1,304 points, just above the 1,276 that Stanford running back Toby Gerhart. Gerhart had a phenomenal year for the Cardinals, over 1,700 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.

Longhorns QB Colt McCoy came in third with 1,145 points, Nebraska DL Ndamukong Suh received 815 points and Florida QB Tim Tebow finished off the ballot in fifth with 390 points.

The biggest part of Ingram receiving the honor is that of Alabama's historic program, he is the first player to win the Heisman. The Crimson Tide's history includes players like Broadway Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, and Ozzie Newsome.

Congrats to the running back and good luck to Alabama in the BCS National Championship game against Texas.

Rodgers That