Bounty Shots

Wherever and however you are reading this today, thank you making the Gray Area Matters part of your day. This “Bounty” ordeal is getting way, way out of hand. By now most of you have heard about the Saints former defensive coordinator (now with the Rams) Gregg Williams placing bounties on star players. This broke on Friday and was an official NFL report. This is a huge deal because the year the Saints one the Super Bowl they knocked Kurt Warner (Cardinals) and Brett Favre (Vikings) out of the game. It is my opinion that any person with experience playing team sports wants to win. No one wants to permanently injure another player. However, knock them out of a game? Yes. You play harder when you are going against the best. Every person elevates their game when the stakes are at their highest. As I often quote, Herm Edwards said, “You play to win the game.”  

If that means you hit the best player a little harder, so be it. You want to slow them down any way you can. Those who say this is poor sportsmanship are the ones who crumble when the game is on the line. As a hockey player, I know people are going to take shots at me because I am good player, so I prepare for it. You prepare mentally and physically all week for your next opponent. Brett Favre doesn’t have a problem with it because he knows that is how the game is played. You don’t think every top player expect to get everyone’s best shot? They do. Example: my man, Sidney Crosby, comes back from almost a year off the ice and David Krejci goes right at him and nails him. This tested Sidney, and in this case, he was injured unfortunately. Ok, maybe that was a bad example. 

The point is that top players are going to be hit harder and tested more because they are the best. It is never going to stop. Let me be clear I am not for placing a “bounty” as in cash for knocking a player out. Incentives like sacks, touchdowns, goals, homeruns, etc. are acceptable.  Basically, I am ok with top players being pressed harder because it comes with the territory. If you have got a problem with it, run to a lesser league, for example Russia, like some NHL players (Radulov) or retire (Kurt Warner). 

My final thought for this whole “Bounty” shot idea is this. Trusts that 99% of all players do not want to hit someone and cause a long-term injury.  Money being passed for knocking players out of games is bad; no one will deny that. The professional leagues will monitor and take precautions to ensure player safety is the best it can be. Trust that the leagues and players will do the right thing with these sorts of situations. As always, thank you for making this blog of your day. Please be sure to follow me on twitter @chrisgrayarea and like the Chris Gray Area on Facebook. 

Super Bowl XLVI The Return of Giants vs Patriots

Wherever and however you are viewing this today, thank you for making this a part of your busy day. The Super Bowl is upon us! The New York Giants will take on the New England Patriots in Indianapolis. Unless you have been living under a rock you have seen the headlines. Most of the speculation surrounds star tight end Rob Gronkowski’s and how he will be able to play with a high ankle sprain. Another major headline: will Eli Manning now be considered better than brother Peyton if he wins a second ring? I want to cut all of this speculation out and just look at this game as we would normally.

Eli Manning- Setting his sites on getting
out of Peyton's shadow.

Let’s pretend this is not the Super Bowl, but a game with teams coming off bye weeks at the same time. Both teams had two weeks to prepare for this game. Also, factor in that they played earlier and the Giants won.  Then include the way each team played their last game. Both teams played solid defensive games that ensured a win. What this says is that the game will be close and will be determined late in the game. I would guess it will come down to turnovers and who has the ball last.

Sure fire locks to this game:  Both Eli and Brady are great on final drives with the game on the line. While New York’s pass rush has been great, they do not play well against two tight end sets, which New England will be playing a lot. New England does not have a great defense, but they play within their ability and are well-coached. The defenses are even. Special Teams are about even with a slight edge to New York because of kicker Tynes who has big game experience. It all comes down to two players...

  Brady vs. Manning

The winner will be determined on the shoulders of both quarterbacks. This has been Eli’s best season, and Tom Brady has been his regular, terrific self. This game is on them. Whoever plays better will win the game. From that perspective, I pick Brady.  (My mom just died a little from that pick) I want Eli to win. Personally, even being from Tennessee, I have always favored Eli to Peyton because he is the underdog. This win would bring him out of Peyton’s shadow for good, but I can’t pick him over Brady. Brady has overcome just as much as Eli.

Tom Brady- There is a reason every time
we list top QB's he is in the top 3.

I am basing my decision of what team will win on three BIG things. One, I will take Brady over Eli. Two, the Giants won earlier and how hard is it to win twice against a great coached team? (Ask LSU) And three I will take the better head coach Bill Billichick (NE) over Tom Coughlin (NY). Sorry Mom, please don’t hate me! I am taking the Patriots 23-20 over the Giants.

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One foot, Bad Thumb, No Problem for Ben!

Wherever and however you are reading this today, thank you for making the Gray Matters part of your busy day.  Ben Roethlisberger may just be the toughest NFL player in the game. In the second quarter, Ben was knocked out of the game when a defensive lineman landed on his ankle.  The high ankle sprain injury keeps most professional athletes sidelined for three to four weeks, but not “Big Ben.” Already playing with a fractured thumb, Ben once again led the Steelers to victory.

This guy is old school.  Ben is a throwback player to the early days of football when the only way you got out of the game is if a broken bone was through the skin. Looking at his injuries over his career would lead most to believe he was a motocross rider or a daredevil.  With all the Tebow talk lately about his desire to win, people should be directing their attention to Roethlisberger. No one knows just how long he can keep this up, but I would imagine he won’t quit until he is forced to or physically cannot. Not many quarterbacks connect with their city more than Ben. Pittsburgh is known for being tough town and the Steelers embody the blue collar mentality of their city. Brad Kiesel said it best: “When Ben is hurt it just seems to work out well for us.”  It’s because he is always fighting some injury late in the season when the playoff race is in a full sprint.

Coaches and analysts say “attitude reflects leadership.” No one can deny that tough attitude reverberates through Steelers entire team. One thing is for certain. Every time an opponent lines up against Ben, he will do whatever it takes to win. The Steelers’ next challenge is against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. With a few extra days to recover, you can bet #7 will be ready come game time.

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