Day Eleven: My Favorite NFL Players, Part Two

Last night, I posted my favorite retired NFL players.  Tonight, my favorite current NFL players.
#10-Matt Ryan-Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons. Maybe it's his "aw, shucks" personality. Maybe it's the fact that he was Tony Gonzalez's quarterback for five years. I have always liked Matt Ryan. Although I'm not a Falcons fan, I wish Ryan could prove to be the player every one thinks he is. Wish he could have gotten TG that ring though.
#9-Aaron Rodgers-Quarterback, Green Bay Packers. It's because he's cute. At first, it was because I wanted him to prove that he was ready to step out of the enormous Bret Favre shadow, which he did spectacularly. Then, it was those stupid State Farm commercials, and he's cute.  I really need no other reason to watch him.
#8-J.J. Watt-Defensive End, Houston Texans. I just enjoy to watch this guy play. He just seems so excited to take the field every week. He clearly loves the game, and he is a monster on the field.
#7-Clay Matthews-Linebacker, Green Bay Packers. Because he's hot. Sure, he's a great player, but it's because he's hot.
#6-Derrick Johnson-Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs defense is where it's at. I love watching DJ take down a quarterback.  Can't wait for him to return to the field this year.
#5-Drew Brees-Quarterback, New Orleans Saints.  Enjoyed him as a Charger, and even more as a Saint. It was his generous acts during and after Hurricane Katrina that made me love the guy. Not to mention, Drew Brees is a heckuva quarterback.
#4-Jimmy Graham-Tight End, New Orleans Saints. First, it was his back story, and then, it was his play.  The guy may not be the traditional quarterback, but watching him play in person, he is amazing. Plus, he gives me a cute Tight End to watch now that Tony Gonzalez is on the NFL Today on CBS.
#3-Tamba Hali-Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs. Liked him before Hard Knocks: the Kansas City Chiefs, loved him after.  Like Derrick Johnson and Derrick Thomas, I just love watching Tamba break an offensive line and destroy a quarterback. One of the leaders of the that Chiefs defense.
#2-Justin Houston-Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs. This guy is a monster.  A pure monster, and if he stays healthy.  Whooooa, Nelly!  22 sacks this year, and if J.J. Watt hadn't had an uber-great season, he could have easily won Defensive Player of the year. To quote Deion Sanders, "Pay the man!"
#1-Jamaal Charles-Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs. Haven't been this fond of a running back since Marcus Allen to the field for the Chiefs. J. Charles is the best thing about the Chiefs offense, no offense to Alex Smith and the WR corp who can't score.  One of my favorite J. Charles memory happened September 22, 2013.  It was my first time attending an NFL game, and J. Charles scored a TD after a 91 yard run. Scored it right in the end zone where I was sitting. I don't think I have ever heard the Super Dome that quiet. A great memory from a great player.


Until next time, "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."-Vince Lombardi

NFL Week 2 Picks

All the teams have played their first game.  The prognosticators already smell blood in the water for some teams, and Jay Cutler is Jay Cutler.  Ah, yes, the NFL is back, and with all respect to Nina Simone, I'm feeling good!!!!

Granted the week did not begin well for my Chiefs.  They were keeping the game close with Falcons during the first half of last week's game entering halftime down 17-10.  Then, the wheels fell off, and the Falcons rolled to 40-24 victory at Arrowhead stadium punctuated by a dunk over the goal post by former Chief Tony Gonzalez after his 3rd quarter touchdown. [FYI:  Tony Gonzalez entered the Top 10 all-time in receiving yards passing Torry Holt with a 13,391 yards.  He's the only Tight End in the top ten, and he's 381 yards from passing number 9 Henry Ellard and 509 from passing Cris Carter at number 8.] After opening the game on a high with cheers from the crowd, TG's dunk brought a shower of boos.  While I wouldn't have booed TG, because he's my fave, it did feel like a bit of knife in the heart...sorry, wiping tears for what might have been.  I forgive you, Tony.  It would have been wrong if you hadn't.  It's the last one at Arrowhead.  I even cheered, until I remembered the score.  Que sera, sera...

It's Time to Name the Champ...Super Bowl XLV

Welcome back, everybody!!! This is the most bittersweet day on my yearly calendar...Super Bowl Sunday. Every year, along with everybody else, I partake in the gluttony of wings, dips, chips, etc. as we all watch to see who will wear the crown. The last time one of my teams actually made the Super Bowl was 1994 in Super Bowl XXIX when the San Francisco 49ers won the Super Bowl. My Chiefs haven't been to the big game since their win at Super Bowl IV in 1969. So, every year I throw myself on some random bandwagon just to have a rooting interest. Last year, I rooted for the Saints. I just wanted them to win so badly, and they did.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of either of these teams. I don't actually hate either team. (I don't like Ben Roethlisberger or Hines Ward, but I try not to hold it against the whole team. Then again, I don't really like Aaron Rodgers, either.)

The Pack haven't been to the big game since 1997 (jeez, that was the year I graduated from college). Bet Lord Favre is still smarting that Desmond Howard won the Super Bowl MVP that year. The Steelers are going for their 3rd ring in 6 years (2005, 2008).

On the Green Bay Packers, I love Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk, Greg Jennings, and Charles Woodson, not to mention Donald Driver is a Alcornite. I carried the Packers as my fantasy defense most of the year. Plus, they have Kevin Greene as an assistant coach. I love Kevin Greene. The guy was a pro wrestler! How can you not love these guys.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers, I love Troy Polamalu (the hair, the reckless abandon, the hair), James "I'm gonna mess up your quarterback" Harrison, James Farrior.

Btw, do you guys realize that if the Steelers win, Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich will have more Super Bowl rings than Peyton Manning. Charlie Batch will have the same number as Tom Brady. tee-hee...

Packers or Steelers...Packers or Steelers...Statistically, they are practically the same team. That said, I'm going with the...The Green Bay Packers. I know...I know...I'm still going with the Pack.

So, I'm off to watch the last game of the 2010 season with most of America. We are all hoping that the NFL and NFLPA will come up with a new CBA without depriving us of football. Enjoy the game while you can boys and girls...It might be the last for a while.

Until next time, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”~Vince Lombardi