My Take on Ray Rice
The Ray Rice news is starting to settle in and his indefinite suspension with no set return date is perfect. Far too often we hear about second chances for athletes who make millions of dollars while the average Joe janitor, teacher or letter carrier loses his job for a DUI. If I was in trouble for allegedly hitting my wife and I went into my boss’s office and told a grand story about how it was an accident and I didn’t mean to, or that she provoked me, I’d certainly get slapped with a two-week suspension without pay. And if during that time a video was leaked showing I lied to them, and that I had done my best Mike Tyson impersonation on my wife, they more than justifiably would fire me, no questions asked.
Let’s get some things straight right now: stop claiming double jeopardy. This is not a court of law, this is a private business. Stop saying it’s his right to play in the NFL, because it’s not. It’s a privilege. Stop with the second chances. His wife can give him one if she chooses, society can give him one if they deem him worthy, but nowhere does it say his employer, the NFL, has to.
Do not get me wrong; I have made many mistakes in my life and needed people to give me chances to right wrongs–I am still trying. Second chances do not always mean a second chance with the person or people you’ve wronged, it only means you have a chance to do the right thing when faced with a similar situation. A second chance just means you have another chance to recreate your definition. Life doesn’t owe us anything, and people need to stop acting like it does.
I hope Ray Rice learns from this mistake. Whether he goes to the CFL and runs wild, my concern is that I hope I never see him in the NFL again. I also hope this isn’t the real Ray Rice. I hope he hears the message loud and clear that this behavior will not be tolerated and it’s not something you just come back from.
The NFL might have acted late on this, but this is a prime example of better late than never.
Remembering
Today is September 11th, 2014, also referred to as 9/11. It’s a day that will forever be engrained in so many of us. Most of us will undoubtedly remember exactly what we were doing the moment we heard about the horrific event that took place on this day in 2001. I was doing a shoot-around at college, while the manager in the gym had the TV on and when the shocking news broke in, revealing a living nightmare.
Cowards used planes as bombs and killed a lot of innocent people right here on American soil. What followed the horrific actions of some was a real testament to the human spirit as we witnessed the bravest actions by some of the greatest Americans who ran to the adversity, not from it. The police and fire fighters who braved the elements to find as many people as they could for days upon days, risking their own lives in the process. The message was clear: no matter how hard you hit us, we will get up. It has been years and still I cannot thank them enough. Life changed that day forever and will for all time.
So take a moment today and remember all those lives lost: fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and so much more. Over 3,000 people died that day including over 400 fire fighters and police officers. President Bush said nothing truer than this “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”
So let’s get into some fantasy talk. Last week was a normal week one, which means it was anything but normal. Remember I will not be talking about studs in this piece, if you selected them in the first five rounds of your draft you should have them in your line-up if they are playing. Do not over think it but let’s do a recap of last week’s performance of mine and get to this week’s Believe or not!
Here are some believes that made us look good.
Players Name Points Scored Points Called
Colin Kaepernick 21 26
Carson Palmer 24 22
Chris Johnson 15 13
Mark Ingram 18 11
Michael Floyd 13 15
Roddy White 14 13
Julian Edelman 12 12
Jeremy Maclin 16 11
Zach Ertz 14 12
Martellus Bennett 15 10
Lions 16 13
Nate Freese 9 12
Here are some nots that made us look good.
Players Name Points Scored Points Called
Robert Griffin III 8 19
Phillip Rivers 14 16
T.Y. Hilton 5 8
Victor Cruz 3 8
Kyle Rudolph 7 7
Jordan Cameron 4 7
Rams 1 8
Browns 6 6
Nick Novak 5 7
Graham Gano 8 6
Some believes that made us look bad.
Players Name Points Scored Points Called
Tom Brady 11 25
Tony Romo 11 23
Stevan Ridley 3 11
Jason Witten 2 11
Steelers 5 12
Bears 5 11
Phil Dawson 4 13
Brandon McManus 7 13
Here are some nots that made us look bad.
Players Name Points Scored Points Called
C.J. Spiller 12 9
Rashad Jennings 15 7
Mike Wallace 13 6
Greg Olsen 16 8
Believes
QBs
Colin Kaepernick SF, 24 Points: Bears defense is not what it used to be and the 49ers offense is starting to click. This is another great week for him to excel. After this week you might want to sell high though.
Tony Romo DAL, 22 Points: I know, I never learn but he is due. Titan’s defense did look solid week one but they weren’t stopping Dez Bryant. I also love the balance offense for once in Dallas. Hey they won almost three quarters of that game last week. They just lost the one really bad.
Tom Brady NE, 21 Points: He is the bounce back kid himself. How many games do you remember where he had back to back bad games? Not many! I am not sold on the Vikings yet but might be after this week.
RBs
Montee Ball DEN, 16 Points: He looked the part and as much as Peyton Manning will pass the ball to anyone of his receivers, he only handed off pretty much to Ball. He will be a stud status here soon.
Frank Gore SF, 12 Points: This guy is the energizer bunny, never going to go away. I might sing a different tone later but right now play him.
Shane Vereen NE, 12 points: He will be used in run and pass. He is the most talented back they have and will continue to be more involved than the rest.
WRs
Emmanuel Sanders DEN, 16 Points: They make an effort to get this player the ball. He also creates after the catch. This offense is perfect for him. Love for the owners of this player.
Roddy White ATL, 13 Points: Still have the best hands on the team. The offense is built to pass and he is built to catch it. Sounds like the perfect combo.
DeSean Jackson WSH, 12 Points: Sure he made many owners nervous week one but this is now week two. Jacksonville got beat deep last week and Jackson loves going deep.
TEs
Greg Olsen CAR, 12 Points: He is a huge part of the offense that will have to air it out a little to keep up with the Lions. He is playing some of his best football and it should continue.
Kyle Rudolph MIN, 11 Points: New England did look great against Clay last week. This is a high powered offense that has countless weapons including Rudolph. This will be his week.
Jason Witten DAL, 10 Points: Tony Romo loves this guy and he is a great safety net for when Romo is running for his life. He also runs great routes and has sure hands.
Kickers
Ryan Succop TEN, 11 Points: His team moves the ball well between the 20’s that should continue. He will make them pay three after three.
Graham Gano CAR, 10 Points: He will need them if Carolina intends to stay in the game.
Randy Bullock HOU, 10 Points: They are not as bad as advertised or are they?!?!? We shall see but I think Bullock will make them pay.
Defense
Texans HOU, 11 Points
Rams STL, 10 Points
NOTS
QBs
Phillip Rivers SD, 15 Points: He has some of the worse match-ups early and his score will reflect that truth.
Eli Manning NYG, 14 Points: Until this team is on the same page offensively he will be on this list. Stay away, far away!
RBs
Reggie Bush DET, 8 Points: He is not a major component to the offense. Sure he will get some chances and if he breaks one it will be awesome for those who doubt me but you don’t break much versus the Panthers defense.
Rashad Jennings NYG, 7 Points: If it wasn’t for three attempts inside the five yard line he would have disappointed last week. I do not trust this offense at all and you shouldn’t either.
Ryan Matthews SD, 6 Points: Really its Seattle do I have to say more?!?!
WRs
Keenan Allen SD, 9 Points: No I didn’t just pick out three teams to attack but that would have been easier. Allen I would like you to meet Richard Sherman, good luck.
Victor Cruz NYG, 7 Points: More targets would help but also he needs to break a play open. It looks like he doesn’t like this new system, that’s not good for fantasy players who own him.
Pierre Garcon WSH, 6 Points: He will be the focus this week. They will contain him and see if Jackson can lead the way.
TEs
Antonio Gates SD, 6 Points: The shift is taking place where Green is taking the attention of Phillip Rivers away from Gates. Also Seattle defense doesn’t let this position hurt them many times.
Charles Clay MIA, 6 Points: He might have a better year than I originally thought but this will not be his week.
Kickers
Justin Tucker BAL, 7 Points: Steelers and the AFC North. This will be one of those old fashioned knock down grinders that will have some big hits but not the highest of scores.
Nick Novak SD, 4 Points: Come on, read above. They will not score much.
Defenses
Panthers CAR, 8 Points
Patriots NE, 7 Points
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Photo credit: Cary Edmondson, Team Leaks CC
