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!!

SHOCKER! Josh Gordon Smokes Weed, Cares Less

Josh Gordon Didn't Give Full Effort in MNF Loss

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (pending suspension) apparently did not satisfy his coaches with his play during Monday night's pre-season game against the Washington Redskins.  Head coach Mike Pettine stated that the staff felt that something was lacking…the drive just wasn't there.  NEWS FLASH:  Josh Gordon has failed like 11 drug tests all for marijuana (at least from what the NFL has told us).  There is a rumor circulating the Earth that weed tends to take the edge off as well as lower your desire to really do anything.  Again, that's just a rumor.  But the effects of bongs and blunts aside, maybe he just wasn't into it because he is 99.9% certain he will be missing the 2014 season because he is a repeat offender of the NFL's substance abuse policy…just maybe.  I am not saying it's right since I believe he is still being paid to play, but I get it, I really do get it.  What I do not get is how his coaches even felt the slightest desire to play him at all.  What good comes from that?  He could get hurt and miss more time.  He could do well and just remind everyone of what they are going to miss once he gets suspended.  He could do nothing and everyone just says, what is this guy doing here in the first place?  But seriously, Josh…enough with the weed.  There'll be time enough for smokin' when the career is over.

In other football related news, the NFL geniuses have run that statistics and found…wait for this one…that the experimental longer extra point kick (being spotted at the 15 yard line as opposed to the usual 2 yard line) was missed with greater frequency!!  No way!  It's harder to make a longer kick?  Stop.  That can't be accurate.  Run the numbers again!  You ran them 6 times?  Run 'em a 7th time!!  God!  I am so tired of the number monkeys at the NFL, I always have to tell them to run the 20 times a day…frustrating and tiring.

But really?  Is the NFL surprised by the stats here?  Spotting the ball at the 2 yard line is going to be an easier kick than spotting it at the 15 yard line every day of the week. Maybe not Tuesday (no football on Tuesdays).  This is like confirming that the closer you stand to an open flame the more likely you are to set yourself on fire.  NFL you have outdone yourselves again!  The rumor is that these longer PATs are on the not so distance horizon.  Works for me, I love added drama…sucks for the kickers though.

GRILLED CHEESE SPORTS WRAP UP!

++  Nick Fairley (Detroit Lions defensive end) has been demoted from starter to second string because he got fat(ter).  Pretty sure someone should call HR on the Lions front office!

++  Brian Hoyer beats out Johnny Manziel for the starting QB gig in Cleveland…Good luck to all players!

++  Curt Schilling declares tobacco use probably contributed to his mouth cancer…Yes, I agree.

++  It's Hump Day!  Enjoy!

Happy Watching!!

Johnny Foosball & Odd Sports Injuries

Johnny Foosball & Odd Sports Injuries

It's 2 for Tuesday today and man am I excited to get to some lighter stuff after a semi-depressing Manic Monday, which will only get worse once football season starts and the Jets and Giants are racking up losses with reckless abandon (well, I hope not…but probably).

As previously mentioned at Grilled Cheese Sports and just about every other sports website, TV show, water cooler or family BBQ - Johnny Manziel has been making headlines since being drafted 22nd overall by the Cleveland Browns in this year's NFL Draft.  Whether it's doing blow in the women's room, throwing money around like it's his last day on Earf or getting silly on social media he has been a very, very busy boy.  

During last night's Monday Night Football game (pre-season so no one really watched it) the Redskins played the Browns and it apparently got a little heated…at least in Manziel's head.  During one of the plays he ended up by the Redskins sideline and for reasons only known to him, he flipped the bird to the Redskins players.

Seems he did not take too kindly to the Redskins pointing out to him that this was not college and in fact was the NFL.  Not sure why that would get you fired up…pretty sure the uniforms that everyone is wearing has the NFL logo on it.  They said that the defenses were faster than him…again, not sure why that would make him flip the bird.  Everyone's 40 yard dash time is published on some website somewhere from their NFL combine days - Combine Database.  Not a mystery that he is playing in the NFL (not college) and that the defensive players are faster than many he faced in college and probably much faster than he is…BUT here's the thing, oh wait…there isn't a thing.  Johnny Foosball is just dumb.  He is some clown who is good/great (especially at the college level) and that's about it.  I am sure he will rise to the mediocre level the Browns expect of themselves but probably nothing more.  It won't be entirely his fault, as the Browns have holes all over the field…even more so with Josh Gordon most likely out for the season after his 14th drug related infraction.  Good luck Johnny - it's going to be a rough one!

Oddly Ridiculous Sports Injuries!

I am going to make this one into a list because the hilarity doesn't really need that much color (all of which led to missing games) - 

1.  Marty Cordova - missed time due to a severe sunburn because he fell asleep in a tanning bed
2.  Wade Boggs - strained back while pulling on his cowboy boots
3.  Ricky Henderson - acquired frostbite from prolonged exposure to…you guessed it, an ice pack
4.  Matt Cain - sliced hand open while cutting crust off of sandwich, actually crust was removed…cut hand while cutting bread into triangles
5.  Sammy Sosa - pulls muscle in his back after a violent sneeze (I think it was a 'roid sneeze)
6.  Joel Zumaya - missed 3 games with an injured wrist from of all things playing Guitar Hero

That about wraps it up for today!

Was just about to sign off for the day but I figured I would drop this one on you…you're welcome! - Suarez Claims "No More Biting!"

Happy Watching!!