2014 Gobble Wobble Turkey Awards!

Welcome to the best weekend of the year!!

On Thanksgiving FOX, CBS and NBC all have some stupid version of the game's MVP and relate it to Thanksgiving or turkey.  John Madden used to dole out a six legged turkey which was just gross.  FOX named LeSean McCoy the game's Galloping Gobbler (or something along those lines) yesterday.  SO, I am going to give out the Gobble Wobble Turkey Awards to the biggest turkey on the field for each of the three games.  Essentially the opposite of the best player…commonly referred to as the worst.

We just witnessed some really good NFL action in yesterday's high scoring affair where the Detroit Lions made a sick comeback over the Chicago Cutlers.  At one point the Lions were down 14-3 only to end up winning 34-17.  Fantasy dreams were made for owners of Megatron (finally) and a few other notables (Joique Bell and Martellus Bennett).  In the land of the turkeys…Jay Cutler is the King Bird and winner of the Gobble Wobble Turkey Award!  He started out hot and then, well then he did a Cutler face plant with a QB Rating of 76.7 and 2 INTs…he did have 2 first quarter TDs and then nothing.

Next came the highly anticipated Philly Eagles versus the Dallas Cowboys.  NFC East Dream match up with tons of playoff implications and bad blood.  Of course they were playing in Dallas (it is Thanksgiving), and that stadium really does make me want to visit it…if only to punch Jerry Jones in the gut.  The game was pretty much over before the half and really only got worse as time wore on.  Sanchez threw for over 200 yards and 2 total TDs…oh boy, let the Jets really do suck comments flow because yeah, Jets Nation didn't already know that they suck.  This game's turkey has to be Romo, good ol' Tony Romo.  He never lets you down…big stage, playoffs on the line and lays an egg.  Turkeys lay eggs, right?  It just all adds up.  Romo finished off the day throwing for under 200 yards, 2 INTs and a QB Rating of 53.7 much to the chagrin of his fantasy owners and Cowboys fans around the globe.  Gobble Wobble Tony!

The Thursday night tilt had the Seattle Seahawks squaring off against the 49ers of San Francisco in SF.  These two teams have been battling each other at the top of the NFC West division for the past two seasons, but 2014 has found a renewed Arizona Cardinals team slotted in the number one spot with both SEA and SF looking up at them…hopefully Arizona's not wearing a kilt or things could get awkward.  Be that as it may, this was another game with massive playoff implications and above all bragging rights in the hotly contested division.  

Both teams play very solid defense amongst the best teams in the league.  Their offenses can at time be high powered and at other times…a bit lacking for teams so highly regarded.  Last night, pretty much summed that up.  The final score had SEA beating SF 19-3.  SF couldn't move the ball at all attesting to the stout SEA defense and San Fran's up and down offensive output.  SF was outplayed from all angles of this match up and it showed.  Therefore, as bestower of the Gobble Wobble Turkey Award…(drum roll) it is with great pleasure that I honor the entire San Francisco 49ers team with the final Gobble Wobble Turkey Award for 2014!!

Congratulations to all who tried their best/or least to win this award!!  Better luck next year to the losers.

HAPPY WATCHING!!!

Running Of The Bulls or Bull Fight?

¡Hola mi amigos!

It has been a while since the last post, but honestly I have been all over the place. But whatever, less bitching and more typing so here we are. This weekend the MLS playoffs continue on their merry way with the first leg of the Eastern and Western Conference Championships. I will be in attendance for the Eastern piece the New York Red Bulls (who play in New Jersey) against the New England Revolution who play in…you guessed it, New England (specifically in Foxborough, MA). I have followed the Red Bulls since their MetroStars days (Donadoni, Tab Ramos and Tony Meola) and I have to say that basically their playoff runs go in one of two directions - 

They are either the bulls in the Pamplona, Spain running of the bulls where annoying tourists get gored and trampled or the bulls in a bull fight. I had the chance to catch one of these in Madrid a few years ago and let me tell you something, the bull never wins. SO who will we see on Sunday afternoon? I surely don't know but Steve does, so take it away Steve! To Red Bulls fans, this is uncharted waters. When the late season setback happened vs Columbus, most fans expected the same tailspin that has haunted the Red Bulls through the Metro/Red Bull history since 1996. Just make the playoffs, lose early, and wonder what could have been. Well, the fans prayers for something different finally have been answered. Maybe it’s the magic of 37 year old Thierry Henry not wanting to say goodbye just yet, or front runner Bradley Wright-Phillips (BWP,#DARE2BWP) wanting to show he can score the goals in the crucial games, but this playoff run has the different. 

Following the loss to Columbus, the Red Bulls have gotten the job done. Back to back wins vs. Sporting KC (one regular season, one wildcard play-in), followed by finally defeating DC United in a meaningful playoff series, Red Bull fans will flock to Harrison Sunday (1:30PM) for the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship vs. The New England Revolution. Led by MLS MVP finalist Lee Nguyen(#MVLEE) and US World Cup 2010 team member Jermaine Jones, the Revolution have been on a tear in the second half of the season. They finished in 2nd place.  Owner Bob Kraft needs a hug...he isn't getting one on Sunday!!!

Since Jones has come on board following the games in Brazil, the Revolution have turned into one of the best teams of the league. Along with defensive mid Scott Caldwell, the Revs midfield pressures high to cause turnovers that lead to goal scoring opportunities. Former US National Team member Charlie Davies leads a front line that dismantled the Columbus in their 2 legged semifinal series. Their backline is very solid led by defending MLS defender of the year Jose Goncalves. The Red Bulls come into this game riding the high of knocking out #1 seed and rival DC United. Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips have connected this season like few have in MLS history. Lloyd Sam and Peguy Lluyindula have pushed the ball through the midfield and the wings giving the Red Bulls a vaunted attacking group that can score with anyone. The key to this series will be how the defensive midfielders and center backs co-exist. Midfielders Dax McCarty and Eric Alexander must provide cover and outlet for Ibrahim Sekagya and Jamison Olave at center back. If they fail to provide necessary outlets for them the Red Bulls will have a hard time possessing the ball down the field. 

At left back, Roy Miller will be suspended for the series due to a red card he picked up at the end of the DC series, rookie and Cameroonian international Ambrose Oyongo will need to be ready to step in a play in a big moment for a Red Bull team and fan base desperate for a win in the first leg on Sunday. Harrison will be rocking on Sunday. 25,000 tickets have been sold. Five guys will have burgers and peanuts for fans pregame. The fans will be ready. In the league’s 19th season, the Red Bulls are two games away from MLS Cup. Can the Red Bulls stop MVLEE and the Revolution on their march to the finals? Will the magic of Henry and BWP carry the Red Bulls one more time in the last Red Bull home game of the season? For those who can’t make the trip to Harrison, tune in Sunday 1:30 on NBC to find out. As long as were breathing……

You are already calling my name my dear - 

HAPPY WATCHING!!!

Is It Cool To Lose On Purpose?

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I think everyone out there is pretty familiar with the fan orchestrated campaign a few years back in Indianapolis when they were terrible.  The fans basically decided that the team's season would be more useful to the franchise if they continued to lose and obtain the highest draft pick they could for the 2012 draft and grab superstar college quarterback Andrew Luck.  They ended that season 2-14, got the first pick and drafted Luck.  They have since been 11-5, 11-5 and are 6-3 this season and in first place.  Andrew Luck has been elected to the NFL Pro Bowl in both 2012 and 2013.  He still has a long way to go before he is labeled a very,  very good draft pick but you know what?  I have to say that so far things are turning out pretty well for him, the fans and the Indianapolis Colts franchise.  

Now this does work out for every franchise, as is clearly exhibited by the Jacksonville Jaguars.  They seemingly lose by nature and end up with a pretty high draft pick every year.  They have had the 3rd, 2nd, 5th, 10th, 10th, 8th and 8th overall draft picks going back to the 2008 draft.  Going back to 2008 they have not had more than 8 wins in a season and this year are a sexy 1-9...clearly they need to either suck more or find a new General Manager.  My point is that being miserable is not a guarantee to future success, but Luck is certainly not the only player to turn around a miserable franchise with a top draft pick. 

As a fan of the hapless 2-8 (nice win on Sunday, morons), I constantly battle whether or not I prefer to see them lose so that they might be able to secure that coveted high draft pick in next spring's NFL Draft.  What good does it do them to finish the year with 4 or 5 wins (wishful thinking at best), miss the playoffs and ultimately end up with a draft pick in the low to mid teens.  The sick thing about the Jets getting a good draft pick is that I don't feel all that great about them finding the right talent they need to actually improve the team.  

Let's run through this for a moment - 

1st Rounders in Order - 18th Calvin Pryor, 9th Dee Milliner, 16th Quinten Coples, 30th Mohammed Wilkerson, 29th Kyle Wilson and 5th the infamous (and now resurrected) Mark Sanchez.  This takes us back to 2009's draft and in my opinion the only one here that actually belongs in the first team is Mohammed Wilkerson.  Pryor has potentially but recent reports of him being late for meetings and a subsequent benching leads me to believe that his brain is not into things at the level they need to be.  But maybe that's just me.

For those who don't know, the photos above in order are Sexy Rexy flaunting his tattoo of his wife wearing a Sanchez jersey, Sanchez's brilliant butt fumble and oft injured Dee Milliner doing his best hurt face...he is always hurt.  

Where is this all going?  The answer is, I just don't know.  Is it better to lose semi on purpose for a chance at a good draft pick if you don't know what to do with it?  That actually reminds me of a line from Glengarry Glen Ross (Alec Baldwin) which if you don't know is a movie about the inner-workings of a real estate sales office...tell me I'm wrong but how applicable is this to the New York Jets franchise - 

"These are the new leads (for the salesmen to use). These are the Glengarry leads. And to you they're gold, and you don't get them. Why? Because to give them to you is just throwing them away. They're for closers. I'd wish you good luck but you wouldn't know what to do with it if you got it. And to answer your question, pal, why am I here? I came here because Mitch and Murray asked me to. They asked me for a favor. I said the real favor, follow my advice and fire your *expletive* ass because a loser is a loser."

You tell me that doesn't fit the Jets and I'd say you're crazy.  Lose or win for the rest of the season, seems like it won't matter.  

HAPPY WATCHING!!!

Red Bulls Are Second Legging It Out in DC!!

This guys is clearly taking things very seriously...and you know what? You should!  MLS (apparently there is no 'the' MLS) Playoffs are in full force and quite honestly, the hottest game in town.  Today it gets real - 4th row correspondent Steven walks us through the major points and the nitty gritty for the second leg of the RBNY-DCU game.  Steve help us figure it all out!

Following a first leg 2-0 home win, the New York Red Bulls travel down I-95 to take on DC United in the return leg of this Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. Led by Thierry Henry, the Red Bulls dominated from the open last Sunday's scoring in each half to put themselves in firm control of this series heading to DC. DC will be looking to score early to take some of the pressure off of having to come from 2 goals down to even the matchup. Their attack, led by Eddie Johnson and Fabian Espindola, will hope to have the addition of 11 goal scorer Luis Silva. Silva missed the first leg with an injury, and hopes to be ready for today's match. DC will use its familiar high line of pressure to hope to force the Red Bulls possession game into turnovers and goal scoring opportunities.

For the Red Bulls, coach Mike Petke hopes the team can continue its late season run, 5-1 in their last six matches, to advance to the Conference Finals. The recipe for the RBs has been the same all year, compact at the backline, play through midfielders Dax McCarty and Eric Alexander, and provide service to the attacking trio of Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips(BWP), and right winger Lloyd Sam. Usually a much different team on the road than at home, the Red Bulls are looking to advance to their first conference finals since 2008. Does BWP have any more of that magical powder for that one goal that could be the deciding factor? Can Thierry Henry’s Achilles tendon hold up for what will surely be a back and forth affair between two fierce rivals? Or will it come down to what most Red Bull fans dread, does the defense have what it takes to stay compact, mark properly, and play together for 90 minutes? The Red Bulls have played themselves into another opportunity to prove their doubters wrong…Can they take the next step?

Tune in today at 2:30 on NBC to find out.

“As long as we’re breathing…”

Thanks Steve, top marks on your preview!!

HAPPY WATCHING!!

Red Bulls Playoff Run Recap & Why You Should Watch Thursday Night Football

(4th Row correspondent Steven Humiston takes us through Sunday's NY Red Bulls Game) - On a windy and cool Sunday afternoon, the Red Bulls and DC United played the 1^st leg of the home and home Eastern Conference Semi-finals in Harrison, NJ. From the first minute to the 90^th minute, the RBs controlled possession and tempo throughout all phases of the game leading to a 2-0 victory over top seeded DC United. Playing through its wing players Thierry Henry and Lloyd Sam, New York caused havoc down the flanks creating numerous scoring opportunities. Magic struck for the Red Bulls in the 40^th minute as Lloyd Sam played a ball through the box that was back heeled by Henry to a streaking Bradley Wright-Phillips (BWP). BWP calmly pushed the ball by DC keeper Bill Hamid for the first goal of the match. DC's backline was left confused and struggling for answers as the combo attacking plays unlocked DC's defense for the first goal.

In the second half, it was more of the same. Led by backline stalwarts Jamison Olave and Ibrahim Sekagya, the Red Bulls controlled possession forcing DC United to press for the away goal that is so important in soccer’s playoff structure. Stretching DC United’s formation the Red Bulls were able to work the ball to Thierry Henry at midfield, who played an excellent over the top ball to fellow Frenchman Peguy Luyindula. Peguy (not of credit card commercial fame) slipped the shot through DC goalie Hamid’s legs giving the Red Bulls a commanding 2-0 lead after 73 minutes. With the game in hand, Thierry Henry was pulled for a sub to save his legs for the return match at RFK Stadium on Saturday (2:30PM NBC). With the possibly that this could have been his final home match, Henry went out in style – two brilliant assists and Red Bull faithful chanting HENRY and ONE MORE YEAR as he left the field. The last 10 minutes were played with DC looking for a goal, but it would not be the case on this Sunday.

With the Red Bulls up 2-0 in this series heading to DC United, they are seeking their first trip to any conference final since 2008. DC United will be looking to keep its worst to first season alive. This MLS original and only I-95 rivalry that counts (sorry Union fans) will add yet another thrilling chapter on Saturday at RFK Stadium.

Full preview of Saturday’s matching coming Friday right here on Grilled Cheese Sports.
Thanks again Steve!  Looking forward to Saturday's battle!!

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals - Thursday 8:25PM NFL Network

    I know exactly what you're thinking when you read the line above…ugh Browns-Bengals…Why should I care?  I'm not from Cincinnati…I'm not from Cleveland (dodged a bullet there), why on Earth would I tune into this game on NFL Network when I could be watching any number of other highly rated television programs on Thursday night?  Heck, I could save my eyeballs the strain of such terrifying football and just go to bed early, get a jump start on Friday and actually have some energy to go out partying Friday night.  BUT let me tell you something brother (Macho Man Randy Savage), this isn't your, uh older brother's Browns and Bengals..no, no this my friend is the match up of the new Midwestern NFL powerhouses!!  One that will last through the next century (easily!) and cripple the current football kingdoms in Green Bay and Chicago. 

Well, maybe not just yet but there is plenty to get excited about for this game.  Let's run through a few things -

1.  Both teams are over .500 with the Browns (5-3) and Bengals (5-2-1)…yes they have a tie.  I forgot about it too.  October 12th against Carolina in a very high scoring affair.  There are more and more teams that are not only falling to .500 or below but many of which can't even smell .500, yes Jets, Bucs and Raiders you found our way into this post.

2.  The Bengals play in Paul Brown Stadium (long time owner and namesake of the original Browns, now the Ravens).  The Browns play in FirstEnergy Stadium (which up until 2012 was Cleveland Browns Stadium…So if the Browns play at Paul Brown Stadium is it considered a home game or at the very least a home away from home game?

3.  The QB for Cincinnati is Andy Dalton, his nickname in The Red Rocket and has Cheez Doodle colored hair - that's pretty awesome.

4.  Cleveland despite being named the Browns wear primarily orange and white uniforms and don't have a logo on either side of their helmets which I believe makes them the only team to do so.  It's kinda like if the Cincinnati Reds (baseball) worn jerseys primarily consisting of blue and yellow.  I know they were named after Paul Brown and not the color brown but they could make a better effort to incorporate it into the mix.

5.  The Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer has had a pretty incredible run through the NFL ranks to get to this spot eventually having to fight off college football superstar and all-around party animal Johnny Manziel. Hoyer has been competent in leading the Browns and deserves to keep the role thus far.

6.  AJ Green, Bengals wide receiver is back for his second week after recovering from injury.  The shortened turnaround time from Sunday should prove to be tough and will level the playing field in this game because when he is healthy…other teams' secondaries usually get toasted!!

That's about it!  Turn on, tune in and take it all in!

HAPPY WATCHING!!

Things Are About to Get Hairy, Very Hairy!!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!  I hope everyone's Halloween weekend was filled with ghosts, ghouls, good costumes and great times.  The clocks went back an hour (in case you didn't realize), the weather at least here in the northeast got cooler and most importantly November is finally upon us!  It's a magical time for sports, food and revelry.  Thanksgiving = more food, 3 Thursday football games, random NBA games and more food.  The MLS playoffs are in full swing, Red Bulls won again (twice in 4 days on Sunday at Red Bull Arena), I was there and a lot of fun.  I highly recommend checking out their next playoff game…there will be more!  Continuing on with the awesomeness of November is how the college football playoffs/bowl series will shape up as the rivalry game flood the weekends and every game means so much more…exciting.  The FOOD, oh the FOOD of November!!  Turkey, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce from a can with the little can ribs on the sides, pumpkin pie (not really a pumpkin latte guy though) and of course stuffing - massive amounts of stuffing…all kinds of stuffing.

BUT what really got me excited about the turn from October to November this past weekend was the start of GROVEMBER!! For those of you who are unaware of this exciting charitable endeavor it is like Movember where you grow a mustache for the month and raise money for a good cause. BUT in GROVEMBER you grow the whole beard.  I am participating to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House of New York which offers a ton of services for families who have children fighting cancer.  Hit me up for details if you want to donate and help some really great kids!!

I am only a few days in so the growth is not extremely strong but it will get there.  While thinking about the combination of sports and beards a new world of wackiness was opened. So let's take a look around and exhibit some of the best and gnarliest beards out there!!

BEARDS!!

Brad Kreisel of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's been a thing for a while and is quite legendary as far a beards in sports go - 

Next on the list is Brian Wilson most recently of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been working this jet black (pretty sure it's dyed) beard with reckless abandon.  Pair with crazy Mohawk and he is a sight to be seen on the mound late in games - 

Johnny Damon had the Captain Caveman thing going when he patrolled the outfield for the Boston Red Sox when they made one of the most improbable comebacks in MLB playoff history against the rival New York Yankees - 

Timmy Howard keeps the USMNT in most games with his quick reflexes and uncanny ability to always seem to positioned properly in goal.  He also had this lately...not one of my favorites - 

BUT it's way better than this one rocked by Captain Lou Albano of WWF fame in the 1980's- 

That's all I have for now...when mine grows out a bit more I'll throw it up there for humiliation purposes especially compared to these beasts!!

Happy Growing My Friends and enjoy the fall!!

HAPPY WATCHING!!!