There are songs about Baseball like “Centerfield” and “Boys of Summer” even the anthem “Take Me Out to The Ballgame”. There are songs that talk about soccer that are from all over the world. However it has been a while since there has been a song that touched on the culture and comradere that is Football. That is until the latest single from Kenny Chesney. Since this is a football blog I feel that it is only appropriate that we give this song its due and make it the featured post for the day.
Here are the lyrics so you can follow along with the song.
When I feel that chill and smell that wet cut grass
I’m back in my helmet cleats and shoulder pads
Standin in the huddle listenin to the call
Fans going crazy for the boys of fall
They didn’t let just anybody in that club
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall
King of the school man we’re the boys of fall
Well it’s turnin’ to face the stars and stripes
It’s fighting back them butterflies
It’s call it in the air alright, yes sir we want the ball
And it’s knockin heads and talkin trash
It’s slinging mud and dirt and grass
It’s I got your number, I got your back
When your backs against the wall
You mess with one man you got us all
The Boys of Fall
In little towns like mine it’s all they got
Newspapers clippings fill the coffee shops
The old men will always think they know it all
Young girls will dream of The Boys of Fall
Well it’s turnin’ to face the stars and stripes
It’s fighting back them butterflies
It’s call it in the air alright, yes sir we want the ball
And it’s knockin heads and talkin trash
It’s slinging mud and dirt and grass
It’s I got your number, I got your back
When your backs against the wall
You mess with one man you got us all
The Boys of Fall
Well it’s turnin’ to face the stars and stripes
It’s fighting back them butterflies
It’s call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball
And it’s knockin heads and talkin trash
It’s slinging mud and dirt and grass
It’s I got your number, I got your back
When your backs against the wall
You mess with one man you got us all
The Boys of Fall
The boys of fall
(The boys of fall, the boys of fall..)
We’re the boys of fall
(solo)
A song with the clips that reminds all of us the players, coaches and fans why we love this game and why there is a passion and determination that seems to exist on the gridiron that doesn’t exist in any other game. To the “Boys of Fall” we look forward to another great season in which you will rise and fall, amaze and disappoint but in all cases leave it out on the field once again this season.
Once again I find myself confused and flustered. The fact of the matter is that I truly believe some NFL owners have no idea what they are doing and some succeed in spite of themselves while there are a select few that know what they are doing and succeed. Until recently I put Mr. Kraft and the New England Patriots in that last group. That is until this debacle with Logan Mankins.
In a year dominated by the me first mentality of many players that don’t deserve the money they are getting let alone extensions (insert any rookie and Albert Haynesworth). There have been two debacles this off season that have made no sense at all to me.
The first centers around the Jets inability, want, need and desire to treat Derelle Revis as he should be treated which simply put is as one of the best if not the best CB (cornerback) in the NFL. They are hemming and hawing over a matter of a few million in a league that is going to take in billions this year. Then you have the inexcusable treatment of Logan Mankins by the New England Patriots. As a first round draft choice in the 2005 draft all Logan has done is protect the blindside of one of the most solid and consistent QB’s (quaterbacks) in the league, Tom Brady. In doing so he himself has made two Pro Bowls from his LG (left guard) spot. Yet his offer by the Patriots came to $3.26 million.
Now before you go and say “come on $3 million is a lot of money” just remember that Albie (Albert Haynesworth) picked up a cool $21 million just for being Albie and not doing anything this off season or to draw a more fitting parallel, Jahri Evans the Left Guard of the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints (still sounds and feels weird writing that) a 2006 draft pick that has made only one Pro-Bowl appearance was just signed to a 7 year $56.7 million dollar extension.
So Mr. Kraft, we know you have the money and we know you need Tom Brady. It is time to swallow the pride and go to Logan and apologize for insulting him with your first offer and pony up the dough at least comparable if not more than Jahri Evans. And to the Jets, it is time you realize that if you want to live up to that Super Bowl guarantee you need to take out the check book and start writing a check to Derrelle Revis or you will be carved up like Swiss cheese.
Lastly on a positive note. Congratulations to the Houston Texans who were one of the only teams to get it right this off season. Andre Johnson proved himself to be one of the best, if not the best receiver in the NFL, he asked to restructure his deal to reflect as much and the Texans did just that. There are a few other teams in the league that could take lessons from the Texans in employee/employer relations.
All to often you hear fans decry the large sums of money that athletes are paid, and time and again the athletes defenders come out and talk about how so few people in the world can do what these “fine tuned athletes can do”. However, I have finally hit the end of my rope with the whining and crying of one particular athlete. This athlete has proven that he can perform at a high level, at least for a short period of time, however he has also proven himself to be a chronic underachiever. Time and again he puts himself in front of the team. He continues to fight, argue, moan and complain about having to do the simple things that professional athletes are asked to do for their extremely high paychecks like practice and perform your best on the field each time out.
In case you haven’t figured it out I am talking about the Washington Redskins Albert Haynesworth. Or as I will continue to call him until he proves himself to be a true team player and man Albie.
Now, let me take through this saga in case you have been under a rock for the past few months. The Washington Redskins in an attempt to return to the days of old when they were a powerhouse in the NFC East make several huge off season moves to improve the team. The first being to hire a truly first class coach in Mike Shanahan to take the reins of the organization and bring a winning culture back to the team and locker room. Once that was in place they took another huge step forward ending the Jason Campbell experiment and getting a proven winning quarterback and on field leader in Donovan McNabb. These two moves alone would make a great season however they didn’t stop there. In a move that shocked the world Daniel Snyder and his team showed great draft knowledge using their first round pick on an offensive lineman that will serve to help shore up a leaky line from last year.
With all these positive moves one was beginning to think that Washington was ready to turn the corner and become a powerhouse once again. Players that were known for not always being the biggest team players like DeAngelo Hall were buying into the system and Clinton Portis was talking and looking like the impact back of old. You looked at the offensive makeup and thought, if the defense could just be average they might be able to put up enough points to make some noise in what some people call the most competitive division in the NFL top to bottom.
Then Albie decided that he did not like the way things were going and started acting like a baby whose pacifier has dropped on the floor. He started by not being a part of the team during the off season workouts. This included ignoring a plea from All-Pro Quarterback and all around good guy Donovan McNabb who politely asked Albie to show up. He then called out two time Super Bowl winning coach Mike Shanahan stating that he didn’t want to be the nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme that has proven to be a model for success with this coach. Now we can understand why Albie doesn’t want to play nose tackle, because every center in the league is waiting to get a piece of this good for nothing dirty player that stomped on center Andre Gurode’s head opening a gash in his forehead. Now before you go saying hey it could have been an accident realize that it was the “second attempt on the stomp” that actually hit home after the first one missed hitting the helmet less Gurode. I wouldn’t want to line up across the line from centers that probably heard the announcement of nose tackle Albie and started circling the date they were playing the Redskins.
Now if that was all that had happened that would have been enough for any single player however while the saga began there much like a bad movie it continued to drag on. Albie finally decides to grace the Redskins with his presence and is amazingly enough under his playing weight and looks to be in good shape. However that is all it was, as for the next 10 days of training camp Albie was physically unable to perform a conditioning test that Mike Golic passed his first time out on national television. It was during this time that I started to get the impression that Albie was looking for any way to get out of practice. Now I completely believe that he will do anything that he possibly can not to practice or be a part of a team at all. In total according to reports Albie has only been on the field for 5 of the 13 practices the team has had and recently sat out 3 days because of what the team called headaches and now is being reported as a serious muscle condition. Oh by the way all this happens after he collects a $21 million dollar bonus, after stating he didn’t want to play with the team.
I am sorry but I am more likely to believe a Brett Farve retirement story than to believe this story. The simple fact in this commentators mind is that Albie is once again trying to show that he can do whatever he wants by continuing to come up with reasons that he can’t practice. So once again I will make my statement clear and precise. Albie you might think that this team can’t work without you, but the truth is that there are hundreds of players that are hungry and would work 10 X’s harder than you are for 1/10 the money you are getting for a chance to earn a spot in that lineup.
Albie you are complaining about not practicing and playing with the first string defense, but you haven’t earned it. Nothing is a given in this world especially not in the world of the NFL when one day you can be the best and the next you can be done and your career over ask former Washington Redskin Joe Theisman about that. You should be thankful for the fact that you are a 9 year veteran and instead of thinking that it entitles you to act like a petulant child and not work as hard, take a lesson from the players that came before you and work harder, set an example for those players that are on their way up.
Albie, you are a disgrace to the NFL, to the Washington Redskins and to the game of football where the concept of team is more important than possibly any other major sport. You show that there are spoiled and entitled athletes. I hold you in great contempt and while there are other players who have done worse things off the field, most if not all of them when they were on the field were examples of how you should play the game. You will never be that and when you retire you will be remember for being the ignorant, spoiled, silver spoon athlete and never for the accomplishments that you had on the field.
As a side note to Mike Shanahan, I think a season long suspension with pay would cost the Washington Redskins less than the hardship and locker room distractions that are going to come with this immature player on the team. Better yet, cut him. He can’t practice and he can’t perform, treat him like a rookie and give one of those hungry and ready to perform athletes a chance to show the NFL what he has. Nine years is long enough for Albie, now let him take the millions he stole from the Redskins by under performing and spend the rest of his life in retirement, and to the rest of the NFL if Washington does the smart thing and cuts this lazy player then I ask the rest of you not to reward him with another chance. He thought he knew better than Jeff Fisher, now he thinks he knows better than Mike Shanahan. Truth be told I don’t think he knows much at all.
You play in the NFL, I know that I addressed this last week, and I was speaking to the players last week. However it is painfully obvious that they were not listening. So I am going to say something about it again. You play in the NFL. This is a privilege not a right. You have extreme athletic talent that got you to this level. We recognize this and pay you as such for your services.
However, you are grown men. You get paid to hit people on a field of play for a living and with the exception of the “occasional” illegal hit here and there no matter how hard you hit someone they let it go and you get to move on. This is like having a license to let out your aggression one day a week and get paid to do so. So why is it you have to go punching people, shooting people and taking it out on women the other six days of the week?
It is at a point of making the fans furious with all of you for the lack of control and judgement you show on the off days of the week. I don’t understand if you think you are lacking “street cred” or if it is just the simple inflated ego problem, but it is depressing and outlandish at the number of stories that show up week after week.
After having a listing of 4 last week plus the long range problems, we get to add some new ones to the list this week.
Michael Vick (for the second time) – A shooting outside a club.
Cedric Benson – Allegedly striking a bartender in the face.
Vincent Jackson – Getting pulled over and charges with his 2nd DUI.
I am tired of this and I am at the point where if you are unable to act like the adult you are then get out of my league! I am tired of putting my hard earned money down for tickets to watch common thugs play a sport on the field for millions of dollars while acting like they have done nothing wrong. I know of three strikes and you out that is baseball. I want a new rule.
If you are charged and convicted of a felony you are finished in the NFL. You don’t get to come back you are banned for life. Call it the “Pete Rose” treatment I don’t care. If you are so inclined to act like a child then you shall be treated as one. No mistakes and no more forgiveness. There I Said My Peace I am done!!
Today the topic of my “Said My Peace” will be a follow up to last week’s NFL Behavior and it will be “Player’s Attitude’s”. Tune in to hear the live version. We will be coming to you from the studios of WIGO1570 The Light today. You can also listen to us live at http://www.endzonetoendzone.com. Don’t forget to call with your questions or comments.
I am not talking to the teams of the NFL, nor am I talking to the individuals who conduct themselves with the integrity, honesty and intelligence to act humanly and within the borders of the written law. I am also not talking to those players that have made mistakes such as calling out teammates or letting the high emotions of the game get to them and getting caught saying something “uncouth” on the sideline to a teammate or coach. I am not even talking to the TO’s, Ochocinco’s or any other position player that has caused major “distractions” according to some. I am speaking to the college players from Freshman to Senior, as well as Rookies and NFL veterans and NFL retirees who have for some reason found it impossible to act within limitations of what is socially acceptable.
It is sickening to read day after day about one disappointment after another. From the numerous legal problems with Adam “Pacman” Jones (Cincinnati Bengals) to the absolutely ridiculous shooting of himself by Plaxico Burress (New York Giants). The NFL has been struck with a litany of behavioral issues that constantly work against the very positive press the league consistently tries to paint. The fact is that the NFL has had numerous issues just this off-season.
Corey Dillion (Speeding and Domestic Violence)
Kevin Ellison (Speeding and Vicodin) (San Diego Chargers)
Braylon Edwards (Assault – pleaded guilty)
Ben Roethlisberger (Alledged Sexual Assualt)
Not to mention other serious issues like the Ray Lewis alleged incident in Atlanta, Michael Vick and the dog fighting as well as the Lawrence Taylor fiasco that has just now begun. Oh yeah and if you are talking about Hall of Fame footballers letting you down how about the two major incidents involving one O.J. Simpson.
You combine the legal issues with the lack of intelligence shown at times by players like “Big Ben” riding a motorcycle without a helmet and Steve Smith breaking his arm in a flag football game and you have to wonder just what these players are thinking.
You have players that get stuck in situations (some through no fault of their own) like Chris Henry, Eddie George and you have to ask why? What is it about these players that cause this to continue to happen?
Well I have to say that I am tired of it all and I know once again I am not the only one. The fans are tired of opening the papers everyday and seeing another NFL player on the front page with a gun, drugs or speeding. They are tired of their heroes (whether they should be heroes or not is another issue) constantly letting them down. They feel like they are owed more. And I agree. These fans are the heart and soul of what pays your salary, either with the purchase of tickets or jersey’s or other merchandise they make you the “superstars” you are.
Your athletic ability got you there no question but it is the fans that help keep you there and vault you to the next level of superstardom. So you play your best and leave it all out on the field on Sunday’s (most of you), that does not mean you get to check out for the rest of the week. Grow up and act like the adults that you are. Start obeying the law and make it so that Roger Goodell doesn’t have to be the task master he has had to be since taking over. Remember if you follow the rules they won’t have to make new ones. There I’ve Said My Peace. I’m Done.
The radio show is going to be live today from the Irwin Street Market, 660 Irwin St. NE in Atlanta Georgia at the SOUL Restaurant. Come on out and be part of a live interactive football talk show. The show goes live on the air at 7pm on am 1570 or you can log onto http://www.endzonetoendzone.com. I can’t wait to see you there.
Well as followers of my blog I feel that you should receive added benefits. One of those added benefits is that you will get the opportunity to know my Said My Peace topic earlier. This week’s topic is “NFL Players Behavior”. Don’t forget to listen to EndZone to EndZone and call in to discuss all your favorite topics with Kita J and Me (Jeffrey).
I’ll be honest with you very rarely will I comment about the people who comment on the sport. However, there has been a long running feud between Chad Johnson and a writer named Skip Bayless. I tell you what I have a firm belief there are times when a sports writer has the right to give his opinion. I back this statement based on the fact that I am doing that very thing right now. However, I want to make it clear that I am giving my “opinion”. There has to be a point where you as a writer or commentator know that you have to shut up. There has to be a modicum of tact in the feedback that you are giving, especially when you are directly speaking with the player themselves.
When you are in direct disagreement with a player to the point where you make a statement to his face that he cannot perform tasks the way he states that he can you are overstepping the lines.
So I am here to call you out on this very point. You call yourself the conscious of a national television station, you call yourself an independent journalist and you call yourself a solid reporter on the NFL. You have reported on the Dallas Cowboys (during their Super Bowl years mind you), the Chargers and many other teams, however one consistent thing has happened with you, you have been asked to leave everywhere you have been.
So what I have to say to you is this, try to practice a little more of what you preach. Bridle it back a little bit and realize what it is you can and can’t do and start commenting while using the “conscious” you state you have. Start using your ability to comment to actually make a point and not just belabor some point or hear yourself talk.
The fact is that people are sick of hearing it, they are sick of hearing you and frankly I know I am not the only one. I felt that it is time those people have a voice. Someone who will stand up to the large podium you are given and state that it is time that the podium and microphone is given to someone else. Someone who will use that position to help foster a conversation and not personal grudges, and will use this incredible platform as a way to help grow the game and include the fans in the discussion. You have a professional obligation to report the news and give opinions. Not to call out players like some press vigilante who is taking it upon himself to “serve as the conscious” of a network.